Dec 20, 2024 | News
On November 30, 2024, over 150 representatives from UK NGOs, campaign and solidarity groups, academic experts and community leaders attended London Mining Network’s conference “Resisting Green Imperialism, Fighting for a Socially Just Transition” at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in London. They gathered to discuss and tackle one big question: how do we address climate change and create a just future without fueling more exploitation?
The keynote speaker Adam Hanieh of University of Exeter and author of “Crude Capitalism: Oil, Corporate Power and the Making of the World Market” reminded everyone of the harsh reality: “We are living in the worst debt crisis in history. Vulnerable countries are spending more than 12 times more on debt repayments than climate mitigation.” Hanieh also emphasized that the fight against climate change must link all social movements, as the real enemy is the capitalist system driving inequality and environmental destruction.
The event raised the alarm on the dangers of a corporate-led energy transition that would lead to huge increases in mineral mining, amplifying social and environmental injustice globally. Collectively, speakers and campaigners present made the case for a globally just transition, that minimises demand for transition minerals, and delivers justice to communities on the frontlines of resistance to extractive industries.
Themes of the Day:
- Capitalism as the Root Problem: From workshops on the military-industrial complex to mining’s devastating impacts, participants dug into how capitalism drives environmental destruction and prevents commensurate action on war and global heating. Fossil fuel and mining companies were called out for prioritizing profits while communities and ecosystems pay the price. The event wrapped up with a passionate speech from Andy Higginbottom, retired professor, Kingston University and secretary of Colombia Solidarity Campaign, who pointed out UK’s significant role in global exploitation, saying, “London is at the heart of the problem.“
- Displacement by Extractivism :A recurring theme of the day was the displacement caused by extractivism and “green” imperialism. Benny Wenda of the Free West Papua Campaign highlighted the ongoing struggles of his people, saying, “Fighting for West Papua is fighting for planet Earth.“ The third-largest rainforest in the world, critical to global climate stability, continues to face destruction, while its Indigenous people are displaced by mining and corporate land grabs. The workshop “A Disaster Waiting to Happen?” by Diana Salazar and Paul Robson (LMN) highlighted the devastating ecological and social impacts of mineral extraction like coal and copper in Latin America.
- Militarism and the Climate Crisis: Mohammed Elnaiem from the Decolonial Centre shed light on the devastating impacts of militarized resource control in Sudan, emphasizing how such dynamics fuel both ecological and humanitarian crises. He explained, “Half of the population is currently facing severe starvation. Ninety percent of those facing starvation are in territories under the military Rapid Support Forces (RSF), funded by the U.A.E.“
- Global Connections, Local Leadership: Women-led movements took center stage, showing how local communities across the globe are resisting extractive industries and building alternatives. From Latin America, Africa, Asia and in London, speakers made it clear that the voices of those most affected need to lead the transition. Sara Callaway from the Global Women’s Strike highlighted the power of women-led movements, highlighting Thai court’s landmark ruling in favor of the Klongsai Pattana community, which upheld their communal land titles against corporate land grabs.
- Imagining a Better Future: An inspiring and fun session was the “2055: A World Without Mining” workshop, where participants dreamed of a future beyond extractivism. It wasn’t just about resisting—people left with a sense of hope and practical ideas for change.
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