Draft Agenda for Climate Change Committee conference call on 6/24/09: [MS Word copy]

Attendees: 

Moderator(s), Structure, Presenters, Themes and Goal(s) of the CCC Workshop “The Crisis of Climate Change” on Friday, July 24 3:45 PM to 6:45 PM (?) at 1231 Market St., SF, CA.

One month complete the preparations:

  1. Decide on two moderators. So they may share the introductions, distribution of materials, etc.

a.       Steve               b.            ___________   c.             Backup ____________

  1. Decide on Presenters; the major subjects and political themes to be covered, contact prospects now to give them time to prepare and secure their commitment.

a.       Climate Change, the current scientific consensus on threats and possible responses, with an emphasis on the probably timelines and crucial tipping points.

b.      Current status of government and industry response to climate change crises.  Degree and likelihood of reduction of climate change damages, with a focus on the political, economic and military factors as barriers to success.

c.       Non-governmental environmental movement; overview, different perspectives, proposals and approaches to the human consequences. Strengths and weaknesses.

d.      Eco-socialism. The political science of environmental responses. The differences in analysis and response between: socialist versus capitalist, world view versus nationalist, secure versus vulnerable peoples and the subsequent political strategies and their likelihood of success both politically and scientifically.

  1. Agree on main goal(s) of workshop:

a.       Help CCDS understand the major issues and political responses.

b.      Clarify possible common ground among alternative response to both the technical and political challenges of the crises of climate change.

c.       Clarify the potential role of CCDS and other socialist organizations in contributing to a progressive understanding and response to the threats of catastrophic climate changes.

d.       Explore the opportunity and importance for CCDS and other socialists to (1) provide strategic leadership in describing the political-economic threat and harm to the world’s people and (2) therefore calling for a comprehensive planned response by the world’s powers to prevent these catastrophes where possible and prepare for the best possible outcome. I.e., what we must and would be doing if a major comet was on a collision course with earth. [Prepare for and prevent versus react to and repair a la Katrina.]

Prepare:

  1. Summary presentations of the major technical and political issues concerning the climate change crises and the possible responses of CCDS. These can be addressed or filled out by the presenters, but should be ready in a brief from for the attendees.
  2. Proposals for position statements and action plans for CCDS to consider for adoption at the convention.
  3. Agenda for the Workshop agenda, for distribution prior to and at workshop.

a.       Include goals, speakers and their bio and focus, and times for discussion and votes.

b.      List primary sources and links and contact information for CCDS and Climate Change Committee.

  1. Materials for Workshop: If possible ready prior to conference and posted on web site and distributed to prospective attendees. These should include items from all the Presenters, on the major subjects and political themes being covered and the goals and draft proposals.

a.       These materials should if possible be selected and prepared for this workshop and convention. For example David’s “Ecosocialism or Ecocatastrophe” is excellent in depth and detail, but a long read and not focused on CCDS. Ted’s “Two Crises – One Solution: Green Jobs – Good Jobs” presents an action oriented perspective for CCDS, but leaves out some issues such a Eco-socialism, prevention as a mobilizing focus and some other strategic political approaches. I urge that or materials and presentations aim at clarification, simplification and the common cause.

Walter