Genocide's carbon footprint
I disagree with Richard Swift’s letter ‘Keep Palestine out of climate activism’ in NI 549. A study posted to the Social Science Research Network in early January of 2024, and referred to in various publications including New Internationalist (see the article on ecofascism in NI 549), concluded that ‘the first two months of Israel’s genocide campaign in Gaza generated more planet warming emissions than the annual carbon footprint of the world’s top 20 climate-vulnerable nations’. Several months on, this figure is likely to be even higher now. So what’s happening in Palestine is of great importance to climate change and activism.
Also the plundering of the environment, the exploitation of people and of natural resources, racism and the oppression of the Palestinians all have the same root causes, defined by a colonial mindset. These issues should not be separated but their commonality recognized to build a stronger intersectional movement.
Get your truth here
Re: NI’s online speaker event with Declassified UK in June titled, ‘Why we need Indie media for real coverage on Gaza’.
Our corporate media are obedient servants to a nest of murderous vipers. There is no reliable mainstream media at all. Turn to New Internationalist, Declassified UK, Byline Times, Real Media GB, Democracy Now, Double Down News and stop being lied to.
Rise of the right
Re: ‘Quackery or decolonial justice?’ in NI 550.
I’m increasingly aware of backwards-looking rightwing politics, which makes a lot of noise to disguise, even hide, their selfish agendas.
The UK, US, Australia and, through this excellent article, India suffer populist far-right exploitation.
A theme common to all is little achievement for the majority and massive gains for the very few.
The powerful elite sustain this inequality through anxiety for personal security, finances, health and ignorance of the bigger picture.
The way to counter the far-right is to continually challenge what they have done.
In response the far-right will always talk about what they will do, which in reality will not deliver unless it serves their agendas.
Thoughtful journalism
Maxine Betteridge-Moes, Bethany Rielly and Maya Miskir wrote in their article ‘Fertile Ground’ (NI 550): ‘Anti-abortion campaigners have their sights set on Ethiopia – a progressive outlier in a region marred by restrictions. Who’s behind the emboldened “pro-life” movement and what’s at stake for women’s rights amid a myriad of other challenges?’ Thoughtful reporting such as this showing the connection to external funding and mobilization along with the impact of Roe v Wade repeal are imperative.
Why I...
...campaign against gun violence.
In the US, we have more civilian-held guns than any other country in the world. Every person murdered with a gun robs our city of that person’s future. That is why, for 30 years, I have talked with legislators about setting strong gun laws. I volunteer with Chicago Women Take Action and One Aim Illinois to pass a bill strengthening the requirement to remove guns from abusers. Although police must confiscate guns from perpetrators of domestic violence after a protection order is made, police departments often do not have the capacity or the will to do it.
