[3 May 2020: 416.18 ppm Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii - Keeling Curve monthly showing concentrations of atmospheric Carbon Dioxide CO2 in parts per million, ppm Sept 2017 - Sept 2019 https://www.co2.earth/ The World’s CO2 Home ]

PROPOSALS FOR WHAT HUMANITY SHOULD BE AIMING FOR IN CONTEXT OF THE GLOBAL CLIMATE CRISIS: 

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1.  To work more closely together; globally in collaboration; to realize the following:

2.  Better, more resilient, sustainable economic growth for all people and the whole planet.

3.  Massive reductions in global inequalities of poverty, hunger, health, well-being, gender, quality education, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, support the marginalized and disadvantaged, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, cleaning the oceans, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions - standing up for human rights, working in partnerships. [https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ “About the Sustainable Development Goals”

4.  A radical rethink of the relationships between economic systems and their societies. For example, between capitalisms and democracies.5. Replacing high borrowing and massive fiscal debts to restructure economic growth and our societies with a better balanced set of sustainable, supporting objectives.

5.  More international collaboration to achieve the above ’UN’s sustainabilty goals’ without prioritizing the disaster of infinite economic growth at the expense of everything else.

6.  In the cases of the UK and Canada, to urgently legislate for better, more worthwhile and therefore more politically trustworthy, ’radical real democracies’ to repair and gradually replace respectively, their elitist, colonialist, inequitable systems of governance ensuring their ‘politics as usual’ is no more.

7.  “Recognize the value of care. Those who have risked their lives to keep us safe deserve more than just a round of applause. Dedicated nurses and other – disproportionately female – lower-paid carers deserve a review of their pay and working conditions. We should reconsider the internal organization of healthcare provision: the competitive market model is good at providing many things, from washing machines to mobile phones, but poor at providing the kind of high quality public goods and services that should be available to all as a right, like healthcare or education. Physical, mental and social care should be better integrated at all levels. A shift towards prevention rather than cure in all these areas would reduce pressure on the system, and make us more resilient, both individually and collectively.”

8.  “Accept that we really are all in this together. The UK remains one of the most unequal developed countries, with BAME communities particularly disadvantaged. We all suffer from inequality in the long run, as precious human potential is left undeveloped, and lost forever not only to those concerned, but also to society and to the economy. Renewing the austerity policies of recent years would increase inequality and be in no-one’s long-term interest. We should consider introducing a Universal Basic Income (UBI) during the recovery period, building genuinely affordable homes, and rapidly housing all of the UK’s homeless. All should have access to sport and culture – so essential for physical and mental health – and as active participants, not just passive spectators*. Whilst innovation and effort should be rewarded, current levels of inequality are unacceptable in 21st century Britain. Inequality causes social division, warps democracy through the influence of big money on politics, and places a massive burden on care systems, reducing our capacity to cope with crises like Covid-19. This essential interdependence applies globally too, and we must not neglect international solidarity as countries face even greater challenges than ourselves in the weeks and months ahead.”

9.  “Tackle the climate and ecological emergency. One day in the not-so-distant future, climate scientists will stop saying “this is our last chance” and start saying “we had our last chance.” Accelerating species loss could be equally calamitous for humankind, potentially leading to the collapse of the ecosystems on which global food production depends. The solutions are well-known – only the political will to act is lacking. We need to “bake-in” positive changes forced on us by the pandemic, such as the reduction in flying, the increase in videoconferencing, and home-working. Bailing out high-carbon industries like oil companies and airlines with public money makes little sense in this context. We should consider stricter, year-by-year carbon budgets in line with the 1.5 degree target set under the UN framework. Farming should be helped to adopt the principles of agroecology, with food production localised where possible, making us less prone to global food shortages. Industry should embrace the principles of a circular economy. Large-scale projects such as Heathrow’s third runway should be scrapped. Urban and rural green spaces must be protected and extended, making our countryside richer in animal and plant life, and our cities healthier and safer.”

10.  “Learn from the past. We support calls for a full independent public inquiry on the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK, with the power to make binding recommendations for the future.”

11.  “Prepare for the future. We believe that our present political institutions are ill-suited to meeting the challenges of the 21st century and realizing the principles outlined above. If they do not reform themselves, and quickly, then we risk a slide towards authoritarian populism, with all its dangers, as citizens become increasingly sceptical that mainstream political parties will defend their interests and help improve their lives.We therefore propose a moderate, yet significant reform: the establishment, within six months, of a permanent UK Citizens’ Assembly for the Future (UKCAF), selected at random periodically from the adult population, given access to the best expertise, and granted ample time to deliberate. This body would focus on longer-term issues, like disaster planning, institutional reform and a just low carbon transition. No reform is a panacea on its own, but a Citizens’ Assembly would help counter the short-termism, unrepresentativity, and bias towards the interests of party funders which blight present arrangements.The UK Citizens’ Assembly for the Future could be set up and overseen by an independent commission, appointed by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee of the House of Commons*. A purely advisory body would be ignored by Government whenever its recommendations were deemed “inconvenient”. We therefore propose that the UKCAF be empowered to present up to three new bills during each parliamentary session (via parliamentary “sponsors”), which would then be subjected to a free vote. In this way, Parliament’s accountability would be preserved, whilst helping build cross-party consensus for long-term action in the public interest. It would fabricate the necessary political will to act where previously there was none.The pandemic has demonstrated how quickly society as a whole can act to transform itself. We must now act with an equal sense of urgency to heal the divisions in our society, make our country better able to face the challenges ahead, and demonstrate to the world that catastrophe can be avoided. There is no doubt that we are at a turning point in history – which path we take now is up to us.”

12.  “The case for radical democracy. Two great threats loom over our societies, one depressingly familiar, the other entirely unprecedented. Firstly, only seventy years after the Holocaust in Europe, extreme right-wing politics is once again becoming a major force here and elsewhere, as the cracks in liberal democracy widen. Secondly, alarmed scientists are warning us of the possibility of climatic and ecological breakdown, perhaps only a few short decades away. The very conditions of civilised human life on Earth are under threat. Rising to these challenges is the historical responsibility of our generation. We need to change direction, and fast. The key question is: in which direction should we move? I believe that the answer , in a word, is: in the direction of radical democracy, of putting power fully and squarely in the hands of the people. Let me try to explain.

The inability of politics to address the major challenges of our times are not simply the result of the wrong politicians or the wrong policies, but the inevitable product of our current ways of thinking and institutions. We are kidding ourselves if we believe that the very political-economic system that is driving desperate citizens into the arms of populists and failing to protect us from climate breakdown can be fixed by minor changes like PR or party funding reform. It’s too late for that kind of tinkering. In many places majorities are already getting behind one or other variety of “anti-establishment” party, led by a charismatic m/billionnaire who promises to “stand up for the little man”. History tells us where this all leads, and with ecological catastrophe added into the mix, it is not a bright future.In this context many are starting to talk about “system change”. There is nothing unrealistic or dreamy about thinking this way: systemic change has occurred throughout history (think of the shift from feudalism to capitalism, or aristocratic rule to liberal democracy). Systemic change has never been more necessary than now, which does not mean it is inevitable: it will not happen without the concerted practical and intellectual efforts of millions. 

Progressives must use the present crisis as an opportunity to rethink our values, collectively produce a vision of the society we want, translate this into concrete institutions and policies, build a majority behind this vision, and head off the threat of authoritarianism.

But what does system change mean, and how can we help bring it about? There are plenty of brilliant critiques of globalised capitalism, and concrete proposals from universal basic income to a circular economy abound. What is harder to come by is some kind of overarching political philosophy, redefining our core values and providing a broad vision that progressives can unite behind. In these pages I want to explore one such possible vision: that of radical democracy. Strategically, it is far easier to unite people around a process – who could reasonably object to a major improvement of our democratic processes? – than a specific programme or detailed set of policies. And yet, I believe that the policy implications of a radicalisation of democratic processes would likely be profound. Of course, we should expect dogged resistance from those who benefit from the status quo, but radical democracy is an idea that comes with the power of legitimacy, and “we are many and they are few“.

This blog will draw on the ideas of radical democratic thinkers past and present. It aims to explore, in a brief and accessible way, the outline of a political philosophy of radical democracy for our times. Many ordinary citizens are understandably impatient of talk – especially politicians’ talk – and say that more action is what we need. They should remember that the right ideas at the right moment can change the world. Consider the impact (for good or ill) on real people’s lives of the ideas of Marx and Lenin, or those of Friedrich Hayek, the great inspiration of Margaret Thatcher and neoliberalism. I believe that the ideas of radical democracy have similar power to change the world.So what does “radical democracy” mean exactly? The core premises (or “narrative”, if you prefer) of radical democracy are, firstly that our current, liberal democracy has brought us many good things, such as universal suffrage and regular elections, but secondly that such institutions only ever gave us limited democracy. Power has remained in the hands of a minority which has, if anything, only tightened its grip over both information and key institutions in recent decades. Democracy therefore remains an unfinished project. We need to “finish the democratic revolution”! Only by finally sharing power equally will something approximating the common good be achieved, and social and ecological disaster be averted. Despite a common perception that a more radical kind of democracy is not workable in large societies, concrete proposals for turning this vision into reality are not lacking. One of the most promising is sortition – the random selection of political representatives from the public. We will return to this and other proposals, but we need to do more than simply produce a set of institutional proposals: we need to elaborate a philosophy that underpins and justifies it.

Finally: it is vital, in reflecting on this vision, to remember that we are part of a global system of power. Our “developed” countries grew rich on slavery and cheap raw materials from the Global South. Our cheap supermarket jeans, electronic gadgets and much of our food continue to be produced by people in conditions of exploitation or even slavery. I say this not to blame those of us who can barely afford these “cheap” goods in the “rich” Global North, but as a reminder that our political and economic system is part of a wider system whose injustices must also be addressed.I think it will be useful to have a framework to organise our ideas. When the French Revolutionaries went about abolishing aristocratic privileges after 1789 their motto was “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”. I think that this motto, with its terms suitably radicalised, and with “Ecology” added – is a handy framework for thinking about what radical democracy could mean. Let’s start with liberty.>>>go to Liberty (1) Liberty for the many, not for the few.” [Peter Coville]

FULL LIST OF SIGNATORIES
Indra Adnan, Co-Initiator,The Alternative UK; Graham Allen, Convener, Citizens’ Convention on UK Democracy;Anthony Barnett, Co-founder, OpenDemocracy; Pete “the Temp” Bearder, Spoken Word Artist; Richard Bellamy, Professor of Politics, UCL & EUI Florence; Will Black, writer, former clinician; Bev Clack, Professor of Philosophy, Oxford Brookes University; Peter Coville, activist, and blogger at theunfinishedrevolution.net; Nicola Cutcher, documentary film maker; Michael Edwards, Editor, OpenDemocracy Transformation; Steven Fielding, Professor of Political History, University of Nottingham; Roger Hallam, Co-founder, Extinction Rebellion; Rob Harrison, Co-editor, Ethical Consumer Magazine; Jason Hickel, Senior Lecturer in Anthropology, Goldsmiths’ College;Lucy Jones, author and journalist;Pat Kane, musician, writer, activist, consultant; Jamie Kelsey-Fry, Contributing Editor, New Internationalist;Baroness Helena Kennedy, QC, Barrister; Jeremy Leggett, Writer, and Founder, Solar Century; Baroness Ruth Lister, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy, University of Loughborough; Corinna Lotz, Co-organiser, Real Democracy Movement; Michael Mansfield QC,Barrister; James Meadway, Economist; Robin McAlpine, Director of Common Weal;George Monbiot, activist and writer; Anthea Norman-Taylor, music publisher; Kate Pickett, Professor of Epidemiology, University of York; Rupert Read, Reader in Philosophy, UEA and spokesperson, Extinction Rebellion; Martin Rowson, Cartoonist, Chair of the British Cartoonists’ Association; John Sauven, Executive Director, Greenpeace UK; Tom Shakespeare, Professor of Disability Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Graham Smith, Director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster; Peter Tatchell, Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation; Imogen Tyler, Professor of Sociology, Lancaster University. Nigel Warburton, freelance philosopher and writer; Richard Wilkinson, Professor Emeritus of Social Epidemiology, University of Nottingham; Baron (Rowan) Williams of Oystermouth, Principal of Magdalen College, Cambridge, former Archbishop of Canterbury; Jonathan Wolff, Professor of Values and Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.
N.B. The case for radical democracy. was added after signatures by the above.
Llewelyn Pritchard MA Education 29 May 2020

OTHER SOURCES

VIDEOS [scroll down]
Pattangaititsik [Protect Precious Possession] Short documentary short about the Labrador Land Protectors Dan Williams 14 June 2019

Dr Peter Carter IPCC Expert Reviewer: summarising the lack of “climate emergency” at #COP25 10 December 2019

FLIPBOARD

https://flipboard.com/@llewelynpritch/ecological-climate-health-action-for-mother-earth-isbu2etny ECOLOGICAL, CLIMATE-HEALTH ACTION FOR MOTHER EARTH. ARMED WITH NON-VIOLENT, CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE FIGHTING AGAINST ALL FORMS OF ECOLOGICAL, CLIMATE-HEALTH MURDER [Information Pages] 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/information-humanitys-emergency-services-climate-what-pritchard-ma/ p. 1 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/p2-mission-objectiveactions-taken-armed-non-violent-all-pritchard-ma/ p. 2 

BLOGS
https://unitedforclimate.blogspot.com/ …ARMED WITH NON-VIOLENT, CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE FIGHTING AGAINST ALL FORMS OF ECOLOGICAL, CLIMATE-HEALTH MURDER. 

https://landprotectorshumanrightsmovement.blogspot.com/ #LabradorLandProtectors Human Rights Movement “Who do we turn to when it’s our own government oppressing us?” We are a group of concerned citizens fighting against the development of the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric mega-project. We are Labradorians and we now have many supporters from around the world! We are Defenders! We are Protectors of land, water, and life! Together we stand against the damming of our Grand (Churchill) River, in particular Muskrat Falls and Gull Island in Labrador, Canada.“ [Labrador Land Protectors Facebook page]

https://muskratfallscivilrightsmovement.blogspot.com/ Muskrat Falls Civil Rights Movement. Social Activism Helps Create Better Government Legislation to Win and Protect Progressive Values in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

https://labradorleadstheworld.blogspot.com/ Labrador Leads The World In Opposition To Hydro Dams - Stop Ecocide In Mother Earth’s Climate Crisis. "Indigenous” is originating or occurring naturally in a particular place. “Rights” is that which is morally correct, just, or honourable.“Ecocide” is loss, damage or destruction of ecosystem(s) of a given territory(ies)…such that peaceful enjoyment by the inhabitants has been or will be severely diminished" [Polly Higgins] definition to United Nations Law Commission 2010

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ “About the Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. The 17 Goals are all interconnected, and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve them all by 2030. Click on any specific Goal below to learn more about each issue.”

WEBSITES
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/25/climate-heating-greenhouse-gases-hit-new-high-un-reports?CMP=share_btn_tw#maincontent Climate-heating greenhouse gases hit new high, UN reports Head of World Meteorological Organization says ‘no sign of a slowdown, let alone a decline’ Damian Carrington 25 November 2019

https://theunfinishedrevolution.net/ The Unfinished Revolution - It’s time for real democracy! 
Krisis: a manifesto for the futurehttps://www.co2.earth/ The World’s CO2 Home Page

BOOKS [scroll down]
https://www.amazon.com/Nitinikiau-Innusi-Alive-Contemporary-Studies/dp/0887558402 Nitinikiau Innusi: I Keep the Land Alive (Contemporary Studies on the North) Paperback – May 3, 2019 by Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue (Author), Elizabeth Yeoman (Editor)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Future-Prospects-Humanity-Martin-Rees-ebook/dp/B07CSD5BG9/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= On the Future: Prospects for Humanity by Martin Rees 

“A provocative and inspiring look at the future of humanity and science from world-renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin ReesHumanity has reached a critical moment. Our world is unsettled and rapidly changing, and we face existential risks over the next century. Various outcomes — good and bad — are possible. Yet our approach to the future is characterized by short-term thinking, polarizing debates, alarmist rhetoric, and pessimism. In this short, exhilarating book, renowned scientist and bestselling author Martin Rees argues that humanity’s prospects depend on our taking a very different approach to planning for tomorrow.The future of humanity is bound to the future of science and hinges on how successfully we harness technological advances to address our challenges. If we are to use science to solve our problems while avoiding its dystopian risks, we must think rationally, globally, collectively, and optimistically about the long term. Advances in biotechnology, cybertechnology, robotics, and artificial intelligence — if pursued and applied wisely — could empower us to boost the developing and developed world and overcome the threats humanity faces on Earth, from climate change to nuclear war. At the same time, further advances in space science will allow humans to explore the solar system and beyond with robots and AI. But there is no “Plan B” for Earth—no viable alternative within reach if we do not care for our home planet.Rich with fascinating insights into cutting-edge science and technology, this accessible book will captivate anyone who wants to understand the critical issues that will define the future of humanity on Earth and beyond.”

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Future-We-Choose-Surviving-Climate/dp/1786580365/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis Paperback – 25 Feb. 2020 by Christiana Figueres  (Author), Tom Rivett-Carnac  (Author) 'I hope we all take this message to heart' 

YUVAL NOAH HARARI'Figueres and Rivett-Carnac dare to tell us how our response can create a better, fairer world’ NAOMI KLEIN'Inspirational, compassionate and clear. The time to read this is NOW’ MARK RUFFALOWe can survive the climate crisis. This book shows us how.We have two choices for our future, which is still unwritten. It will be shaped by who we choose to be right now. So, how can we change the story of the world?The Future We Choose is a passionate call to arms from former UN Executive Secretary for Climate Change, Christiana Figueres, and Tom Rivett-Carnac, senior political strategist for the Paris Agreement. We are still able to stave off the worst and manage the long-term effects of climate change, but we have to act now. We know what we need to do, and we have everything we need to do it.Practical, optimistic and empowering, The Future We Choose is a book for every generation, for all of us who feel powerless in the face of the climate crisis.

This is the final hour: it can be our finest.

But we must act now.