Debate: should we ally with 'green' capitalists?
With that provocative question John Barry of the Just Transition Greens set the cat among the pigeons on an episode of the Trademark podcast on ‘Why Greenwashing won’t wash’. Those serious about fighting climate change and capitalism, he argued, must consider whether we can form alliances with some of the ‘greener’ big businesses, renewable energy companies and the like to achieve our aims. He went on to argue that this is an important strategic debate we cannot shy away from, even if it is ‘as welcome as a fart in a space suit’.
We at Rupture agree that this is an important debate to be had. With the world burning, and time running out, it is crucially important that we leave no stone unturned in trying to develop strategies to halt this destruction. But we also cannot afford to go down strategic dead ends, which waste our limited time and energy.
We are delighted to host an initial written roundtable on whether eco-socialists should try to build alliances with green capital with John Barry arguing it's something we should seriously consider and RISE member and regular Rupture contributor Diana O’Dwyer arguing such attempts would weaken rather than strengthen our movement. We carry both pieces here side-by-side, to hopefully kick off further debate and discussion on this and connected strategic questions facing the green-left today.
- Cian Prendiville, Rupture editorial board
Article originally published in Issue 3 of Rupture, Ireland’s eco-socialist quarterly, buy the print issue:
