Should Canada treat climate crisis like a war?: The book thus highlights forgotten knowledge that free market
fundamentalists would prefer we not know. First, adopt an emergency
wartime mindset, and prepare to do whatever it takes to win. Consumer
and volunteer action is laudable, but only the state can act with the
speed and scale necessary. During the war, the federal government
created new economic and governmental institutions, including 28 Crown
corporations. They spent what was necessary and increased overall
taxation to fund it.

An effective response requires more democracy, not less. Strong
wartime political leadership helped mobilize public support. Today,
social movements and tactics ranging from grassroots education to civil
disobedience are also needed to push politicians. Deep social inequality
is toxic to the kind of necessary social solidarity, mass mobilization
and sense of shared sacrifice needed to combat climate change. “Everyone
has to do their bit,” including shifts in consumption, transportation
and home heating. A just transition for resource-sector workers, as well
as Indigenous leadership, culture and respect for aboriginal title and
rights, are all essential – both as matters of justice, and to buy time
as we build transformative coalitions.

Should Canada treat climate crisis like a war?: The book thus highlights forgotten knowledge that free market
fundamentalists would prefer we not know. First, adopt an emergency
wartime mindset, and prepare to do whatever it takes to win. Consumer
and volunteer action is laudable, but only the state can act with the
speed and scale necessary. During the war, the federal government
created new economic and governmental institutions, including 28 Crown
corporations. They spent what was necessary and increased overall
taxation to fund it. An effective response requires more democracy, not less. Strong
wartime political leadership helped mobilize public support. Today,
social movements and tactics ranging from grassroots education to civil
disobedience are also needed to push politicians. Deep social inequality
is toxic to the kind of necessary social solidarity, mass mobilization
and sense of shared sacrifice needed to combat climate change. “Everyone
has to do their bit,” including shifts in consumption, transportation
and home heating. A just transition for resource-sector workers, as well
as Indigenous leadership, culture and respect for aboriginal title and
rights, are all essential – both as matters of justice, and to buy time
as we build transformative coalitions.Read More