Trump upends the world order
The political geography of the world has changed dramatically since Donald Trump — a far-right, xenophobic, misogynist, sociopathic, and convicted felon— who apparently does not know who
Edited by Alan Thornett
Latest Articles
SERA criticises the Starmer government on Heathrow expansion — February 2 2025
Letter from Labour’s Environment Campaign – SERA Co-Chairs to Keir Starmer on growth Below is the text of a letter sent to Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer,
A third runway at Heathrow — an act of environmental vandalism
I recently penned an article, assessing COP29, in which I describe the Labour government elected on July 4 as “hitting the ground running”—at least as far as
COP29 in Baku Azerbaijan—the biggest challenge since COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009
Alan Thornett assesses the outcome of COP29 and the response of the new Labour government to the challenge of decarbonisation and climate change. This paper is
A new super reservoir approved in Oxfordshire
By Alan Thornett I grew up in Abingdon near Oxford, spent over 20 years in the Cowley car industry as a shop steward, and lived in
Solar power – the key to the future of the planet
The Tories have been routed — which is excellent news for the whole of humanity. The new Keir Starmer government, however, is not only wracked by sleaze
Green Left meeting on population April 22nd
I have been unable to maintain my usual pattern of website activity for the past seven or eight weeks because I suffered a small stroke. I have
British farmers want a universal basic income
British farmers want basic income to cope with post-Brexit struggles Schemes to replace EU subsidies will not plug gap left by loss of EU subsidies for most
Sunak’s report finds low-traffic neighbourhoods work and are popular
This article was first published in the Guardian of March 8th. Exclusive: Downing Street initially buried study, which Tories had hoped would strengthen arguments against traffic-reducing
Agriculture is killing the planet
This is a revised version of chapter 16 of my book Facing the Apocalypse–Arguments for Ecosocialism, published in 2019, which might be useful today in the current
Starmer’s miserable betrayal—a gift to the crisis-ridden Tories and a disaster for the planet
The first item on the early morning news of Thursday 8 February was that, according to the EU climate agency, the global average temperatures was continuing to
COP28: Trashing the UN is easy, but where is the alternative?
Despite being held in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – the sixth biggest oil producer in the world, and presided over by a top oil
The myths and realities of hydrogen power – by Sean Thompson
This important article was first published the Red Green Labour website. Over the past few years, much has been made (particularly by fossil fuel industry lobbyists)
Paul Burkett: 1956-2020 – by Ian Angus
This obituary was first published on Climate and Capitalism in January 20220. “I would never see Marxism as an alternative to environmentalism, but as a particular
The Guardian: “Sir Keir is mistaken if he thinks he can avoid a fight (around his £28bn a year eco-pledge) by not turning up”
Ever since Kier Starmer launched his green investment plan last year including a pledge to spend £28bn a year on the transition to renewables and make the
Useful links
Facing the Apocalypse - Arguments for Ecosocialism
The book insists that we are facing amultifaceted threat to life the planet. Crucial resources are running out. Pollution is choking the ecosystems. The oceans are now 30 per cent more acidic than in pre-industrial times, coral reefs are dying at an unprecedented rate.
From a defence of the remarkable ecological content of classical Marxism – lost during the 20th century to the rise of productivism – the book is an appeal to the socialist left to take the ecological crisis far more seriously. It uncovers some fascinating stories of their lives and struggles.
Thornett engages directly with major debates such as the rising human population and carbon pricing that remain unresolved on the socialist left. His approach is to promote a transitional approach, which separates him both from both those that think capitalism will find a solution and those who think revolutionary propaganda is enough.