Resistance is a co-sponsor of the in Melbourne over September 30 to October 4. 麻豆传媒 Weekly asked some Resistance members about their thoughts on this major event.
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Hannah Reardon-Smith, Brisbane
To me, events such as the Climate Change Social Change conference are essential for reigniting my enthusiasm and my energy for the good (but long) fight.
I鈥檓 going because I want to add much to my knowledge, get inspired, gain new ideas on the best ways to take action, challenge my perceptions, and surround myself with people that can see the injustice and destruction in the world around us as well as the causes 鈥 people who are willing to stand up and speak out.
There is no other event that brings together the two biggest crises of our time 鈥 global warming and social crisis. In doing so it highlights that the root cause of both is in fact the same 鈥 in Nina Power's words: 鈥淐apitalism! Obviously.鈥 鈥 and in order to fight against one we must take up the challenge to fight it all.
Unlike the despair displayed by activists in other movements, socialists are the ones who consistently have concrete answers and inventive ideas about what can be done and how to go about it.
So really, attending CCSC is absolutely essential. And quite frankly I can鈥檛 wait.
Liam Hanlon, Brisbane
The magnitude of the ecological crisis, and fact that time is running out fast, to me means that avoiding the question of system change is nothing short of suicidal.
I鈥檓 going to Climate Change Social Change because it鈥檚 the only conference in the country that is switched on to this reality.
Ewan Saunders, Brisbane
The time for piecemeal, incremental 鈥渟olutions鈥 that limit themselves within the bounds of the market has long passed. Capitalism is the elephant in the room in the environment movement and Climate Change Social Change is a space where real solutions will be discussed.
But importantly, it鈥檚 also where real effective action can be planned. There is no more important an event on the environmental calendar this year.
Dominic Hale, Brisbane
With the looming climate crisis, it鈥檚 more important than ever that we discuss and plan for a movement to win a safe climate. I鈥檓 coming to Climate Change Social Change for a chance to hear some of the best minds discuss socialist ecology and to get reinspired to continue the fight when I return back to Brisbane.
Sean Brocklehurst, Adelaide
I think we鈥檝e reached a critical point in terms of what鈥檚 happening to the climate and also what鈥檚 happening around the world 鈥 with the massive attacks on workers, and war and imperialism that鈥檚 spreading due to global capitalism.
I think Climate Change Social Change is a great national forum for all different people from around Australia to get together and discuss these issues and share tactics and strategies for how we can fight it.
I also hope to learn a lot of things from the international speakers around these different struggles. I think as a young person it鈥檚 vital that I go and be a part of this.
I鈥檓 particularly looking forward to the workshops on topics on feminism and workers rights, but it will also be great to meet comrades from around Australia and actually get to know these people I only know through Facebook at the moment.
Mark Harris, Adelaide
I am going to Climate Change Social Change because it is a great opportunity to network with members of the left from across the country and find out how they are involved in the struggle for a fairer and greener world.
Gemma Weedall, Adelaide
I鈥檓 really excited to hear from renowned international speakers such as John Bellamy Foster and Ian Angus; I think their ideas around ecosocialism are so relevant and poignant at this point in history.
The world is in crisis, both environmental and social, and capitalism is the root cause.
A socialist system that puts people and planet before profit is the only long-lasting solution, and I think this conference will be crucial in working out collectively how we can move forward in the struggle to create this more just and sustainable world.
Ben Peterson, Sydney
Climate Change Social Change is going to be great. We鈥檒l hear from really sharp speakers talking about how we can change the world.
But most of the people there will be activists like myself, so it will be a great opportunity to meet up with other activists to plan ways we can put these ideas into practice.
The conference is something that appeals to a lot of people. In Sydney, the Political Economy Society at the University of Sydney has sponsored the conference, and they now have a heap of people going as well.
People who want to come to Melbourne but need a place to stay should get in touch with their nearest Resistance branch about the epic 鈥渞esistance billet-a-thon鈥. Don鈥檛 let not being able to afford accommodation keep you from going.
Duncan Roden, Sydney
I鈥檓 going to the Climate Change Social Change conference because I think it鈥檚 going to be very useful for any environmental activist, myself included.
I鈥檓 a member of Parramatta Climate Action Network and I鈥檓 also helping the creation of a Blacktown anti-coal seam gas group.
Climate and coal seam gas are closely related issues. The use of natural gas as a transition to renewable energy has the potential to increase carbon emissions, yet it is a stated goal of the government鈥檚 carbon price.
I think critical discussion of climate policies is necessary for the movement.
I鈥檓 also especially interested in workshops regarding climate change in the Pacific because I can trace my ancestry to several Pacific cultures. Small Pacific states are in danger of serious effects from climate change.
It鈥檚 immensely unjust that some people literally face complete destruction despite the fact that they have contributed a tiny part to global warming.
I think these problems can only be solved if environmental movements work towards solutions that will genuinely achieve a socially just sustainable society. That can only happen if we challenge the existing capitalist system and that鈥檚 the kind of discussion that I want to be involved in at this conference.
[For more details about the conference visit . ]