Yours truly is headed to Bali on Wednesday as part of an international labor delegation to the United Nations climate change summit. The delegation hopes to articulate labor’s position about the threat to the planet. I can’t publish here–yet–the draft version of the statement.  But, will do so when I can and hope to bring you news from the summit.

    I am struck by the fact that the delegation organizers had a hard time rounding up a broad representative group from the U.S.–there just didn’t seem to be a lot of interest, as far as I can tell. That concerns me. If you believe that there is a threat to the planet, then, we need to make significant adjustments to the way we live and, most important, work. The point of the labor delegation is to try to shape whatever framework is developed on reducing greenhouse gases. But, what U.S. labor’s position on that framework is a bit murky. It’s a tough issue, no question about it. BUT…

    Part of the problem is not just the fact that some unions see this issue as a zero-sum game, i.e., that to reverse global warming means hardship for workers, particularly in industries that are seen as contributing more heavily to global warming (the obvious ones are the manufacturing and energy industries). But, I think the larger problem is that there is no political leadership that is willing to stand up and say loudly: this threat requires strong, broad, government action and intervention. We need a strong "green" industrial policy, which would mean making sure that as we reduce carbon emissions, the government acts very decisively–and with a lot of money–to move workers into good-paying, secure, union jobs.

    Here is SEIU’s statement (feel free to post statements from other unions):

“The accumulated scientific evidence leaves no doubt that climate change is an imminent threat that requires immediate, collective and decisive action at the global level. This ongoing environmental crisis will affect millions of workers’ communities and workplaces for generations to come.

“As a union that represents 1.9 million workers—many of whom are in low-income industries—SEIU is particularly concerned about the needs of low-income workers. While everyone will experience the negative impacts of climate change, the most vulnerable will experience them disproportionately.  Low-income communities already suffer disproportionately from placement of landfills and power plants and their related health hazards. When changes in consumption are required, it is poor consumers who are hit the hardest by higher prices for essential services such as electricity or fuel. 

“Transitional measures are needed to protect affected workers from the economic consequences of climate change measures. We must provide job training or re-training, and seek to diversify the economies of communities that currently depend heavily on energy-intensive industries.

“Finally, with the bulk of its members in United States, the highest per-capita emitter of green house gases, SEIU will use its influence to press U.S. elected officials to support emission restrictions, and make investments in clean energy and quality green job creation. Such policies will reduce poverty and contribute to sustainable economic growth.” 

   Here’s a little brief summary of the summit:

The “United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali” begins today and will continue until 14 December. The event includes the thirteenth Conference of the Parties (COP 13) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and third Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 3). In addition, the twenty seventh sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 27) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 27) will be held, as well as the resumed fourth

session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG 4). A joint COP and COP/MOP high-level segment will take place from 12-14 December.

Delegates will deliberate on a wide range of topics and agenda items, with a major focus being post-2012, when the Kyoto Protocol’s first commitment period expires. In particular, delegates will seek to agree on a negotiating process to finalize a post-2012 regime. Other issues that will be taken up include the Kyoto Protocol’s flexible mechanisms, reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries, technology transfer, financial issues, and issues relating to adaptation, including the Adaptation Fund.