Working Class Perspectives on Climate Change

Working Class Perspective on Climate Change and Decent Sustainable Jobs with Living wage in South Africa and the world at large by Phineas Malapela

Introduction

Labour in Particular and working class in general take Marxist approach in analysis of all socio-politico economic concept and climate change like all other concepts cannot be approached from purely neutral scientific view  and technology themselves are defined within particular socio – politico-economic context. As defined by an international socialist scientist GERARD BLOCH “ For Marxist deterioration of the natural substratum of mankind’s productive force constitutes one of the aspects of the increasing conversion by capitalism productive force into destructive “ is what causes the present climate change that threatens our natural environment and existence of humanity in the only scientifically known planet of the living organisms and stopping the destructive forces of capitalism will be the first step towards building the egalitarian or classes society where humans will live in harmony with nature and that is what religious people call Paradise and we socialist call communism.

What is Climate Change?
Our understanding of the relationship of humans and nature is as expounded by Karl Marx’s wage labour and capital “work is first of all an act that takes place between man and nature. Man plays role of natural force acting on nature. At the same time as he is thus acting and making a change on outside himself, he is changing his own nature and developing his own latent faculties” and this is similar to religious perspective that believe humans are bestowed with the attributes of the creators in relations to planet earth not attributes of destroyer that are associated with diabolical nature of the devil. Climate Change that is presently an undisputable destructive path created in pursued of profit to us is a move away from the nature of humans as the Productive forces for development of nature itself towards humans are productive force called human capital that obliterate the true human nature.
What is Climate Jobs?
The climate jobs is all that based on the technological achievement can serve as alternatives to the present destructive pollution based unsustainable jobs offered by extractive industry, but however the technological solutions of the alternative sustainable climate jobs especially the solar energy, geothermal, wind and waves etc. that can be Harnessed by working – class does not make business sense as they re-enforce the real impact of human activity on nature contrary to capitalist system with its imperialist decomposition.

4. What is wrong with Kyoto Protocol?

The declaration of the conference at Kyoto in Japan in December 1987 was not a declaration by the working –class but a declaration by the polluting capitalist forces on how they can pollute better and make profit out of pollution by allocation each other pollution rights and trading such rights to each other to make profit based on speculation economy or gambling or casino economy of stock exchanges. This Kyoto Protocol to working –class represent the capitalist class in the following respects:
4.1 Voluntary Signatories: The biggest polluter throughout the world protecting its multinational corporations and its war factories throughout the world, USA, refused to sign signalling that the phony protocol will not work.
4.2 Decentralisation: The decentralised contrail and rules of self-regulations that goes against the polluter pay principle are tried and failed rules of capitalism and to the polluter who make profit by polluting they are non-starters.
4.3 Externalisation of costs: The declaration is deliberate externalisation of costs between the so called develop world that polluted and are continuing to pollute the globe through their multi-national corporations and collect the profit to enjoy at the relatively controlled environment friendly European conditions leave the developing world with a burden of ecological debits the Johannesburg acid mine drainage and radioactive Westonaria uranium dams as well as burning holes of Mpumalanga.
4.4 Carbon Trading: The carbon trading speculators in the European community and USA had taken gambling to a higher level of trading in pollution or destruction rights as the rich countries can now buy their pollution rights in the stock exchange and pollute with impunity to the destruction of humanity and the planet




Picture by Earthlife



In conclusion capitalism had made humans enemies of themselves and the planet of the living without providing anything in return but destruction.





Changing faces of the Catchment Forums

Rietspruit river

Sewege spillage in Sebokeng

Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance has been participating in the catchments forums for the last three years. In the Vaal Triangle we have Leeukuil, Rietspruit and Leeu-Taaibosspruit. Many people still don’t know about this forums. This forums meet once in three months, venue is decided by the industries in their board rooms, where is not easily accessible for communities to reach.  

These forums bring together stakeholders together to deal with issues such as water quality, water licensing, education and awareness rising. The forums operate within the terms of the NWA (1998) and the NWRS (2004). From the water team, we have trained community members who attend these meetings . The aim of our participation in the forums to engage with water quality issues in mining and industrial areas, but also with pollution emanating from waste water treatment works under the control of municipalities.  

Water quality concerns have received a prominent position in the media especially in Vaal Triangle. VEJA has been pushing that the forums must pay special attention to the involvement of communities in water quality. We want to change the face of this forum so that ordinary citizens are able to participate fully and have a voice in the water governance in South Africa.

VEJA chairperson was nominated to be a deputy chairperson of the Rietspruit. These is the second time in 3 years that VEJA has been appointed in these important task, VEJA Coordinator Samson Mokoena was appointed to chair the same forum in the last 3 years. The Rietspruit forum was initiated in 2001, as a result of water and air quality struggles between what now ArcelorMittal and fence-line communities is protesting against its pollution.

This has showed that VEJA is in the right tract to monitor and make sure that previously disadvantage groups have a strong voice. VEJA is confident that Phenius Malapela will represent the interest of the communities as he comes from the working class and poor community of Sebokeng and he is passionate about speaking on behalf of the poor.      

Background and development of the Priority Area

The Vaal Triangle and surrounding areas has been declared a national air pollution hotspot (or priority area) in terms of Section 18 (1) of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004) (AQA). This area, known as the “Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area” is the first such identified area in South Africa.

Special interventions are now being made by the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) to improve the air quality in the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area. These interventions include the development of a Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) that will be developed in accordance with the provisions of the AQA. Once the plan is developed and implemented, air quality in the area should efficiently and effectively be brought into sustainable compliance with national ambient air quality standards within agreed timeframes.

Which Areas are Part of the Vaal Triangle Priority Area?

Boundaries of the Vaal Triangle Air-shed Priority Area in terms of Section 18 (1) includes the areas contained within the boundaries of

1. The Emfuleni Local Municipality (Sedibeng) in Gauteng Province,
2. The Midvaal Local Municipality (Sedibeng) in Gauteng Province,
3. The administrative regions of Doornkop and Soweto, Diepkoof and Meadowlands and Ennerdale and Orange Farm within the City of Johannesburg in Gauteng,
4. The Metsimaholo Municipality in the North Free State, Free State Province.

The area comprises of heavy industrial activities, one power station, several commercial operations, thousands of people using motor vehicles as well as many households utilising coal as an energy source.

What is a Priority Area?

In terms of section 18 (1) of the AQA, the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism may, by notice in the Gazette, declare an area as a priority area if the Minister reasonably believes that

1. Ambient air quality standards are being, or may be, exceeded in the area, or any other situation exists which is causing, or may cause, a significant negative impact on air quality in the area; and
2. The area requires specific air quality management action to rectify the situation.

Why was the Vaal Triangle selected as a Priority Area?

The Vaal Triangle, in particular, suffers extremely poor air quality and people living in the area do not enjoy air quality that is not harmful to their health and well-being. Respiratory ailments and diseases, including early morning coughing, wheezing and asthma are common irritations that people in the area suffer. Several studies have been conducted that found that the air quality in the area is indeed extremely poor and has a direct negative impact on the health and well-being of the people living there.

Enough evidence was provided to the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to declare the area a priority area since the proposed ambient air quality standards were, and are, being exceeded in the Vaal Triangle and that a situation existed which was, and is, causing a significant negative impact on air quality in the area. Affected communities from Boipatong, Steelvalley, Sasolburg and Bophelong went and lobby portfolio committee of environment to come up the air quality act and visit Vaal Triangle to witness pollution. It was only after this efforts from communities with the support of groundwork and legal resoure centre that we got a new act and the Minister formally declared the Vaal Triangle Air-Shed Priority Area on 21 April 2006.

Project Objective

The main aim of developing the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan is to efficiently and affectively bring air quality in the area into sustainable compliance with national air quality standards within agreed timeframes.

Project Aims

1. Develop a priority area air quality management plan for the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area.
2. Ensure improvement of air quality within the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area.
3. Reduce environmental and human health risks.
4. Reduce emissions in an equitable & cost-effective way.
5. Empower local municipalities, provincial government and national government to meet its obligations as outlined in the Air Quality Act.

Roundtable discussion with Mazwi Lushaba and Victor Loate

Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance has been following this process from the beginning. We  have observe how industries want to hijack the process to hide the reality that they are polluting. Government has install six monitoring, this station proved that pollution in the area has increase especially PM10 emssions. Industries continue to blame this pollution on poor communities. Next article we will right about Basanje ngogo strategy, it a short term strategy to address coal burning.

VEJA was concern about the development and community involvement. Department of Environmental Affairs reached out to us, so far we had two separate meeitng to address our concern more importantly to come up with a joined communities invlovement plan. In the last meeting, Department agreed to train 20 monitor from VEJA about air quality. This monitor they will work as pollution watchdog in their different areas and they will observe and records pollution incidents and report to the relevent structures. They will also be trained on how take samples. Next step they will ran outreach and awareness programs.  If things goes according to plan, training will take place in march. National Department of Environment, Sedibeng District manucipality and Fezile Dabi will provide taining, venue and material. We want the entire community to understand environment, start asking questions about it and start pointing out the real culprit.

Youth Stepping up to their role

"What could be more important than the future of our world?

Youth demanding clean environment

As young people, we have the most at stake, so we should be stepping up to our roles as the major stakeholders and stand

up for the kind of future we want." -PauPau, TakingITGlobal member, Philippines

On the 11th February 2012, Vaal Working Class Cordinating Committee youth held their first meeting after attending COP 17 in Durban. The purpose of the meeting was to share their experices of COP 17 and how can they be actively invloved in environmental issues.

Some did not have an idea of what was going to happened in Durban, however later during the conference they finally understood what COP17 was all about. They have learned that climate is happening and its not only happening in South Africa.

Youth meeting in Sebokeng

They have also learned that Climate change is considered to be one of the most serious threats to sustainable development, with the adverse impact expected on the environment, human health, food security, economical activities, natural resources and physical infrastructures. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the effects of climate change have already been observed, and scientific indicate that precautionary and prompt action is necessary.

The youth is ready to take action because they are living close to polluting companies such as ArcelorMittal, Samancor and Sasol. Adding to the problem of pollution in the Vaal is domestic Coal burning and illegal waste dumps everywhere. The very same youth took part on the Walk for Climate Change from Vanderbiljpark to Sasol. The walk was organised by Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance on the 19th December 2012. After this long walk they particpated in the the community meeting that took place in Zamdela on the same day.

Our youth in Durban on global of Action

The youth agreed to establish a study group that will meet monthly, where they will discuss various topics and plan actions for a specific issues. Veja will provide material for discussion and will provide support. Dudu Diphoko  and Sydney will lead the study group.

Vitro must pay for all Environmental Crimes

Vaal Triangle is a home to many industries especially steel, petrol chemicals, fertilers, cement and textiles. The environmental problems arises due to this industries are water, air and waste.Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance received a complain from communities living in steelpark near a mine called Vitro. Vitro is one of many mining companies in Vaal Trianle and is operating an open cast mining in Veneering mining Clay to produce ceramic tiles .VEJA has been receiving complains from surrounding area about their emissions that come from their manufacturing plant, dust and water that is being discharge to an open pit next to steelpark community. 

VEJA found out that this company operating without Environmental Management Plan, with out water use licences and it seems as if these operations has not been monitored by the authorities. In nfour meetings of Rietspruit Water Forum VEJA questioned these mining operations that is trying its level best to run away from compliance. Vitro tried their level best to fool authoriries and community by denying all this alligations. Through the assistance of the communities VEJA manage to find an illegal discharging pipe. In the Rietspruit Forum that was held on the 8 October 2011 again the questions were about the illegal pipe was asked in front of Vitro and again it denied.

Stream that take water to the river Rietspruit River

A tip from a community member lead VEJA into to the illegal discharging pipe and took pictures to show to Department of Water affairs to investigate this mining company. We are  demanding full investigations of non compliance, Vitro must pay for all environmental crimes they have caused.

Vitro discharging water without water use licence

   

Getting to know ArcelorMittal better through community voices



Participatory Action Research
Participants in the absence of other two members Dudu Diphoko and
Boyson Buang..

Nthabieneng Dimema, she also part of
Bench Marks Foundation Monitoring
School, she is saying in Boitumelo she says there are somepositive
thing about Mittal because they have gaven a bursary some learners but they
do more of the good things for communities.

ArcelorMittal is a steel making company that for years communities in the Vaal Triange have been bearing the brunt of its pollution. The company has violeted human right and dignity of several isssues such as water pollution, dust blowing dirrectly in to the people's houses, responsible for making hundres of worker and community sick and been accountable to anyone. Communities living near the fenceline of ArcelorMittal took part in Community Participatory Research. The research is conducted by Bench Marks Foundation in collaboration with Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance. The aim of the research was to investigate through the community voices how much communities are impacted or affected ArcelorMittal. This what they have to say in the meeting that was held on the 12 Novermber 2011.

Maria Mack from Bphelong, says
must compensate all affectd workers,
she is victim because her father passed
way and was working for Mittal. They
did not receive any compensation. She
using her daughter grant to provide
for the family. 

Lebohang Mokoena stays in Sasolburg but share
the experience with people living close to Mittal
Pollution has no boundaries, our government must
play activive role in protecting community
human rights and Environment. In Boipatong Township
Dust from ArcelorMittal is blowing dirrectly into people's
houses but its ok because they where given milk to drink
by ArcelorMittal to mitigate the situation, how sick that is. Community
don't understand or know little about Corporate Social Responsibility.

Rosina Khantsi, stays in Bophelong
says Mittal must stop brainwashing
communities by roofing the house rather
than dealing with Emvironmental issue. Rosina's
wish is that ArcelorMittal must consult with the communties
Mittal must to painting Community Halls only but they
must invest in the community upliftement programme and
youth development programme.

Sonti Mtambo, her family stayed at Steelvalley
 where  groundwater was contimanited because of
 ArcelorMittal. She has witness young mother
 miscarrying their unborn baby, skin irritations, cancers and
many other illness  drinking
 polluted water. Her family was
removed from the area by ArcelorMittal 
promised a better life.
Today they are staying in a
squater Camp calleed Joko Tea. 
No water and Sanitation and roads are very bad. She blame
it all to ArcelorMittal by destriying their agricultureal land.
Making to move in to town ship where there no place to plant or
grow their vegetables like they used to.

Lisemelo Masibuko, she is working closely with ArcelorMittal
Ex-workers, as young as she is, she has experience the pain of this
worker who for 12 years has been fighting for their
compensation of the illenss that they believe was due to working
 for the comapny. She wishes that Mittal can admit that they have make
ex-workers sick and compensate them. Government  also
must hold the company accountable.
She is also part of Bench Marks
Monitoring School, which has empower her on computer skill
and writting community stories.

                       

Partnering with Metsi -a- Lekoa

It has become common knowledge that the poor are likely to be hit hardest by Environmental Impact. it is important to work with different stakeholders in the and outside Vaal Triangle for the benefit of protecting and preseving the Environment. Poor communities in the Vaal Triangle  must be able to understand state of the environment their living in. The kind of water they drinking, air they breath and land they grow their vegetables. Today we where honoured by the Department of Education from Sedibeng West District office and Metsi - a- Lekoa which a water utility of Emfulweni Local Municipality.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss possible partnership between Metsi- a- Lekoa, Department of Education and VEJA. We will assist each other in promoting environmental education and awareness in our schools. The aim is make sure that learners, communities and all stakeholders participate in environmental  programmes through a more informed choice for the benefit of environmental sustanability in the Vaal Triangle.

The meeting was attended by Caroline Ntaopane( VEJA), Samson Mokoena,( VEJA) Lebohang Mokoena( VEJA) , Boyson Buang( VEJA), Mojalefa Radebe( Metsi- a- Lekoa), Mamakhe Khaha( Metsi - a -Lekoa) and Jimmy Sithole Department of Education District.

We thank Ntate Jimmy Sithole and Lebohanhg Mokoena for setting up the meeting. It is up to all of us to act now on behalf of our future generations.