We live under a system—the system of capitalism-imperialism (capitalism is an economic and political system of exploitation and oppression, and imperialism refers to the worldwide nature of this system).
It is this system which is the basic cause of the tremendous suffering that people, all over the world, are subjected to; and this system poses a growing threat to the very existence of humanity, in the way that this system is rapidly destroying the global environment, and in the danger of war between nuclear-armed capitalist-imperialist powers, such as the U.S. and China.
All this is reality, and no one can escape this reality. Either we radically change it, in a positive way, or everything will be changed in a very negative way.
It is important to return to—and reground in—fundamental questions, and urgently go to work on that basis: What drives the plunder of the planet and global warming? Can this be resolved under this system of capitalism-imperialism, and if not, why not? What is the solution, what will it take?
We direct our readers and others to this Special Resource Page.
Hurricane Dorian struck the Caribbean nation of the Bahamas with unprecedented force. A week later, thousands were still missing, with the number of dead rising, countless homes destroyed, whole towns and communities wiped out, and tens of thousands needing clean water, food, housing and medical aid. Global warming is increasing the power and intensity of hurricanes, especially affecting island nations and coastal areas around the world. Above: Great Abaco, Bahamas, September 5, 2019 (Photo: AP) Photo: AP.
The Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world, is burning—causing deadly harm to what is known as the “lungs of the planet.” The fires are set deliberately by farmers and agribusiness companies with the backing of the Brazilian government. If this continues, the results would be horrific: extinction of tens of thousands of species and further acceleration of global climate change. Above: Jacundá National Forest, near the city of Porto Velho, August 25, 2019 (Photo: AP)
The Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world, is burning—causing deadly harm to what is known as the “lungs of the planet.” The fires are set deliberately by farmers and agribusiness companies with the backing of the Brazilian government. If this continues, the results would be horrific: extinction of tens of thousands of species and further acceleration of global climate change. Above: Jacundá National Forest, near the city of Porto Velho, August 25, 2019 (Photo: AP) Photo: AP
Yes, “the house is on fire,” as climate activists declare. We are facing a crisis of unprecedented and existential dimensions—threatening the ecosystems of the planet and life itself. Yet in the years since the adoption of the Paris UN climate accords in 2016, not one major capitalist industrial power is on track to meeting its (obscenely inadequate) goals. The amount of carbon in the atmosphere that drives climate change continues to rise.
The highly touted Biden climate act of 2022 is a deception—it places no limits on fossil-fuel extraction—and actually furthers the climate crisis. Meanwhile, the U.S retains its title as the world’s largest oil and natural gas producer. As the planet heats up!
The question is: What underlies this crisis and what must be done? The stakes could not be higher. We invite you to dig into the materials on this page and confront these questions:
- Why does capitalism plunder the planet? And can this system of capitalism-imperialism—driven by the competitive pursuit of profit and more profit, and by the rivalry between great powers for global control and dominance—can this same system somehow act, or be pressured to act, to put the interests of humanity and the planet first? The resources on this page, including articles, major works, and videos from talks by Bob Avakian, demonstrate how that is impossible.
- Can a “Green New Deal” that operates within the framework of this capitalist-imperialist system, and that takes the U.S. standard of living and the U.S. empire and military as a given, provide a workable solution? The polemic against the Green New Deal shows that this is a toxic illusion. What are the implications of the fact that the Biden administration is opening up Alaskan wilderness and selling more leases in the Gulf of Mexico for oil production—while sections of the environmental movement can’t let go of him as “climate leader”?
- And what about the fate of the great mass of humanity in the Third World who are suffering the greatest consequences, and will face even more horrific consequences, of global warming? Their lives and futures count for nothing in the calculus of the ruling classes of the rich capitalist countries.
Is what’s needed a delusional, consoling narrative of “we’re-turning-the-corner progress” or confrontation with uncomfortable truths about this system and where it is taking humanity and the planet? On revcom.us, and more particularly with the features on this resource page, you also learn about the revolution that gives us the only real chance to protect and repair the planet.
Watch for continuing analysis, polemic, and late-breaking commentary.
This system and those who rule over it are not capable of carrying out economic development to meet the needs of the people now, while balancing that with the needs of future generations and requirements of safeguarding the environment. They care nothing for the rich diversity of the earth and its species, for the treasures this contains, except when and where they can turn this into profit for themselves.... These people are not fit to be the caretakers of the earth.
Bob Avakian, BAsics 1:29
Why does capitalism plunder the planet?
The Destruction of the Planet by Capitalism-Imperialism, by Bob Avakian, an excerpt
Bob Avakian, "Not fit caretakers of the earth"
How would a revolutionary socialist society address the environmental emergency?
How Would a Revolutionary Socialist Society Address the Environmental Emergency?
Excerpts from the Constitution for the New Socialist Republic in North America
- A. The Economy.
- B. The Environment.
- Article IV. The Economy and Economic Development in the New Socialist Republic in North America.
- Section 5. The System of Public-State Ownership is the Foundation of the New Socialist Economy.
