With Trump already
implementing his threat of “Drill, baby, drill!” to massively increase the
burning of evermore fossil fuels, and taking the US out of the Paris Climate
Agreement – and Musk and Farage supercharging the growth of far-right populism
and creeping fascism – there are plenty of reasons to be pessimistic. But as
Gramsci warned back in the 1920s:
“The
thick dark cloud of pessimism…may in fact be the greatest danger we face at
present.”
However,…
cometh the hour, cometh the book!
Coming
out next month (February), is a new book that gives realistic grounds for
hoping that a better world can be won for the 99%. As Nelson Mandela said:
“It always seems impossible…until it is done.”
And
the good news is that For the Earth to Live can be pre-ordered at
the special reduced rate of £13 – a saving on the RRP of £17! – via this link: https://resistancebooks.org/product/for-the-earth-to-live/
To
whet your appetite (just in case the saving of £4 isn’t enough temptation!),
below are some of the things that have been said about the book:
Extracts from the Foreword
by Julia Steinberger
[Professor of Ecological
Economics,
University of Lausanne (Switzerland)]
“The
book in your hands is not like other books about
The book in your hands is not
like other books about the climate or the environment. For the Earth to
Live: The Case for Ecosocialism is a wholly original creation, from a
wholly original author. In this Foreword, I will try to explain why I think
this book is so important, and I will try to do so quickly, so you can get to
the book itself as quickly as possible (which you could do immediately by turning
a couple of pages!).
This book, much like its
scholar-activist author Allan Todd,
stands out by doing several
revolutionary things at once.
First, this book is
unapologetic.
This book is quite simply
about, and for, ecosocialism. In a time when people are often afraid to express
themselves directly, this book openly and proudly proclaims its analysis and
position, making the case for a political direction that is unapologetically, uncompromisingly
for ecology AND for socialism, for people and for the living Earth. Reading For
the Earth to Life is a bracing change from the vacuous distractions,
stuffy compromising and
timid understatements that
characterize so much of our media, political, and, yes, even scientific
landscapes. Quoting the Italian communist Antonio Gramsci from start to finish,
it seeks to combine ‘Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.’ As such,
it’s a continuous wake-up call (Gramsci’s pessimism of the intellect) and a
call to action (his optimism of the will).”
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Extinction
Rebellion somewhat succeeded in its goal to break the wall of climate denial
which was hampering necessary progress. Critics have rightly argued though,
that to move forwards, we need a shared ‘overstanding' of the colonialist,
capitalist, political economy that has the destruction of people and planet as
its core operating system, as well as a visionary alternative to cohere around.
In this compelling, thoughtfully explained book, Allan Todd offers us both,
with a radical and feasible proposal for our Ecosocialist future. Let's dream
and build together, For the Earth to Live!”
Dr.
Gail Bradbrook
Co-Founder
Extinction Rebellion
------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Allan Todd
isn’t just a writer, he’s a climate activist with an impressive record; and
this book is the culmination of years of political struggle. Rich in arguments
and ideas, For The Earth To Live is an essential handbook for
those who want to take action for a better world, for both people and planet.”
Simon
Hannah, author of A
Party with Socialists in it & Reclaiming the Future.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
And
there’s more: if you’re in Cumbria on Sunday 16 March, you can attend a talk
about the book: https://www.wordsbythewaterkeswick.com/
It’s
part this year’s Words By The Water, an annual literary festival, held in
Keswick, which draws people from around the country: https://www.wordsbythewaterkeswick.com/
Also
speaking at this year’s festival are George Monbiot (on neoliberalism)
and Mike Berners-Lee (on the climate crisis).
==========================================
Allan Todd is a member of
ACR’s Council, of Left Unity’s National Council, and of Transform; and is an
ecosocialist/ environmental and anti-fascist activist. He is the author of Revolutions
1789-1917, Trotsky: The Passionate Revolutionary, and Che
Guevara: The Romantic Revolutionary
