The Summer of Degrowth 2015

This year’s summer stands in light of action for degrowth! Across Europe, there will be a variety of summer schools on degrowth, with the focus of justice and degrowth in theory and practice. At the same time, various action camps will bring together scientists, activists, practitioners and interested individuals to campaign against fracking, environmental and climate injustices, and for degrowth. One of the common threads between all these events is the rejection of the productivist model based of economic growth, resource extraction, environmental degradation, global injustice and human exploitation and the call for degrowth. Degrowth,is here understood as a diversity of paths, calling for less of the gray (concrete and fossils), and for more of the green and colourful (simplicity, for care and conviviality). This summer embraces actions for environmental and climate justice, that reject capitalism and reflect on degrowth, demonstrating a unity and strength of diverse international movements. And the best of it: you can be part of it!

Below, we present the summer schools and action camps.

 

SUMMER SCHOOLS

Summer schools in Italy – Trieste 16^th-18^th June, Torino September 2015 (Italian-speaking only!)

Two summer schools are taking place in Italy in Italian, one in Trieste (16^th-18^th June) focusing on degrowth and solidarity economy and another in Torino (first week of September) on urban metabolism and labour.

For more information about the Summer School in Trieste (in Italian) consult: incontronazionale.economiasolidale.net.
For more information about the Summer School in Torino please contact Mauro Bonaiuti.

 

Summer school in the Rhineland Coalfield, Germany, 9^th-15^th August

Degrowth in Action: Climate Justice

The slogan of the German summer school (in English and German!), which will take place in context of the Climate Justice Camp from August 9 – 14, 2015, is that “There‘s no climate justice without degrowth!” The summer school builds up on the momentum of the widely successful 4th International Degrowth Conference in 2014 to discuss political conflict and alternatives for an ecological and equitable society. The location of the summer school is a very symbolic one, the Rhineland Coalfield, as it is at the heart of political conflict. There will be a large variety of courses on specific topics in the field of alternative economic models, climate justice and degrowth as political practice. Furthermore there will be workshops, cultural activities (films, concerts, art, theatre, jam sessions, a.o.), fun stuff for kids, world cafés, an open space as well as time to organize and shape community life at the summer school and the camp. The registration for participants of the summer school is still open. You can register here: http://www.degrowth.de/en/summer-school-2015/!     ACTION CAMPS During the summer of degrowth and climate justice, there will also be many opportunities for gatherings and jointly opposing extractivist and unjust practices. All summer camps are also seen as milestone for the European mobilization in light of the international climate summit – COP21– that is going to take place in Paris in December this year.   Ground Control – Agriculture & Climate Action Camp, Amsterdam Area, NL 1st-8th July The first of the camps will take place from the 1st until the 8th July 2015in the area of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The Ground Control camp (www.groundcontrolcamp.net) will offer an inspiring week of fun and action to stimulate a different agricultural system and counteract climate change. There will be presentations, workshops, trainings, open discussions and constructive activities linking climate and agriculture. Ground Control welcomes everyone: from the most experienced to the newcomers in the field, it is a space to make meaningful connections, prepare for (future) struggles and becoming part of an alternative system based on justness and solidarity.

 

Frackanpada: International Anti-Fracking Camp in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, 13^th-19^th July

This summer European anti-fracking movements are mobilising for action against fracking in the Basque Country – from 13 – 19 July 2015. Anti-fracking collectives from several countries are calling gathering near Gasteiz-Vitoria for a week-long Frackanpada camp with actions and skill-sharing to organise their struggles in defence of the land, for social justice and for a sustainable society as well as developing resistance against fossil fuel extraction and the underlying system of corporate profit and state evictions and repression. The location of the camp has strong symbolic meaning as a spot with plans for fracking. Frackanpada has the support from inhabitants of the nearby village, on whose land will be the campsite. The camp will bring together the people involved in the struggle against fracking, climate change and environmental injustice from all corners of Europe, to share experiences and exchange skills; to put into practice participatory ways of social organising and visions of just alternatives; and to take action to expose and halt the practice of fracking. There will be a wide range of activities for everyone, from workshops and talks to films, activities for children and skill-shares. For the program and registration, check here: http://frackanpada.frackingez.org/; frackanpada {@} riseup.net. Local activists are clear that now is the time to re-escalate action in the region: “The more numerous we are, the more it will cost them”.

 
Climate camp in Rheinland, Germany, 7th-17th August

From August 7 – 17, there will be once again a climate camp in the Rhineland Coalfield: to build the climate movement, to network, to celebrate, to inspire each other, to put into practice the alternatives we envision. Come along, bring your tent, your music instrument, your friends or offer a workshop! On the camp, the summer school Degrowth in action: Climate Justice will take place from August 9 – 14. There will be lots of keynotes and panels with international speakers, as well as 4-day-courses, in which small groups focus on specific issues and work on approaches how degrowth and climate justice can be put into practice. Have a closer look here: http://www.klimacamp-im-rheinland.de/en/

 

As you see, there are many reasons, and many opportunities to join actions and debates on degrowth and justice. So, register soon, bring your friends, your spirit and your voice and make this your summer of degrowth!