Just Us and the Climate - Climate Justice Coalition

Why social ownership of renewable energy is key.
In this episode, Janet Cherry (Professor of Development Studies and renowned anti-Apartheid activist) speaks to us about the exciting work she has been doing on the social ownership of renewable energy. The episode host, Alex Lenferna, speaks to Janet about the team she has been leading, and the research they undertook to understand what social ownership of renewable energy means, what the state of it is in South Africa, and how we can advance it.
Their research culminated in a report delivered to the Presidential Climate Commission with several recommendations on ensuring that renewable energy is not merely owned by and for the benefit of the elite few, but is instead delivering large scale benefits and ownership to the working-class majority as part of a truly just energy transition. Presidential Climate Commission Social ownership report launch · Report on Social Ownership Models in the Energy Transition · Website · Facebook · Instagram

In this episode, Cleo, an organiser with the Climate Justice Coalition (CJC), sheds light on Mpumalanga's plight - a province ravaged by coal mining and pollution. Cleo goes into detail about its impacts on local communities which include respiratory issues among children, dirty and unsafe water, women being exploited for jobs, and government failures to regulate mines or support transition plans. Shaazia, digital and communications specialist at the CJC, speaks about upcoming People's Power marches against the draft Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) calling for safe, affordable and clean energy, an end to load shedding, and greater accountability.
Contact Ferron Pedro (+27 82 565 2393) or Cleo Shezi (+27 63 594 1566) to get involved. Key demands for the People's Power march · Website · Facebook · Instagram

How trade unions & climate justice activists can transform the world.
In this podcast episode, we speak to Ruth Ntlokotse, the president of the South African Federation of Trade Unions and a new coordinator of the Climate Justice Coalition. We speak to her about the important role that trade unions have to play in the climate justice movement. We discuss how her workplace, which manufactures catalytic convertors, was shut down largely due to the transition to electric vehicles, and how the failures to protect workers demonstrates the need for a truly just transition.
We discuss a range of other questions like:
- What would a truly just transition be, and what is the world we are fighting for?
- What is social ownership of renewable energy, and how have trade unions been pushing for it (and failing in their fight for it)?
- How can the trade union movement be better organised to ensure they are actively fighting for a more progressive future, and not being reactive and defensive?
- Why the climate justice movement must show up for workers, and how our movements are aligned.
The episode is hosted by Climate Justice Coalition General Secretary, Alex Lenferna. The 2012 NUMSA statement on social ownership of renewable energy · The Green New Eskom campaign advancing socially-owned renewables · South African Federation of Trade Unions website · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Why is there massive opposition of Karpowerships within coastal towns of South Africa? The Green Connection and a Small-Scale Fisher talk about the risks of Karpowerships. Bringing about their advocacy actions and stories relating to their journey to oppose the power ships, along with sharing the myths and reality of Karpowerships, from research conducted. Moving forward, proposing solutions to the energy crisis, encouraging activism from the public and coastal communities to stand together and take action towards protecting their livelihoods and the environment. The Green Connection website · The Green Connection on Instagram · The Green Connection on X · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Part 2: How this industrial development threatens rural communities livelihoods.
In this episode, we delve into how this coal-fuelled industrial development threatens rural communities living in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province and the extent to which it is driving a corporate land grab in the region and the failings of the Public Participation Process.
Host Lauren Liebenberg of Living Limpopo interviews Makoma Lekalakala of EarthLife Africa and Mphatheleni Makaulule of grassroots community organisation, Dzomo La Mupo, who have both been deeply involved in the campaign against this ecocidal development. Makoma testifies to the dangerously flawed Public Participation Process in the context of the enormous costs that will be borne by local communities relative to the potential job benefits, while Mphathe gives voice to the anger – and fear – of indigenous communities whose traditional way of life, food and water security is fundamentally threatened by coal and heavy industrialisation. Living Limpopo's website · Earthlife · Dzomo La Mupo · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Part 1: Why should we be concerned and how is it being challenged legally?
In this episode, the first in a two-part series unpacking the significant dangers posed by the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ), host Robert Krause of Centre for Applied Legal Studies speaks to Lauren Liebenberg of Living Limpopo and Heard Reserve, and Kirsten Youens of All Rise Attorneys.
Lauren, a leading voice in opposition to the MMSEZ will speak of the environmental and human rights dangers of this carbon-intensive heavy industrial development. Kirsten Youens, the attorney representing Living Limpopo, Heard Reserve and CALS will explain how the development is being challenged legally. Living Limpopo's website · All Rise Attorneys' website with case info · CALS website (the Environmental Justice Programme) · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Telling the story of Mpumalanga's difficult energy transition.
In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest questions surrounding South Africa’s energy and climate crisis - how do we ensure a just energy transition for the people of Mpumalanga? Mpumalanga is the province most heavily dependent on coal for its economy and livelihoods. It accounts for 80% of all South Africa's coal production and 76% of all electricity, generated primarily from 12 major coal-fired power stations, out of the 18 in the country.
Many people of Mpumalanga have a love-hate relationship with coal, as while it brings jobs, it also brings devastating air, water and soil pollution, making it one of the most polluted places on Earth. Coal also drives economic path dependency, pushing out other economic activities. As a result, Mpumalanga has one of the worst unemployment rates in the country, with about half the population unemployed and half in poverty.
As the world moves away from coal, Mpumalanga faces an existential question: will the energy transition truly be just, creating a better future for them, or will they be left behind as the world moves forward to renewable energy?
This episode is hosted by the Climate Justice Coalition's general secretary, Alex Lenferna. He is joined by two inspiring journalists working on the cutting edge of climate and energy reporting. Andiswa Matikinca is an award-winning journalist who joined Oxpeckers in September 2018 to manage the Oxpeckers extractives digital tool, #MineAlert. Thabo Molelekwa is an award-winning health and environmental journalist with a focus on climate change and renewable energy, food security, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Thabo and Andiswa worked together on a three-part investigative series exploring the challenges of the just energy transition in Mpumalanga. The series is linked in the show notes. A New Light on the Future of Eskom's Assets · South Africa's Coal Lobby Pushes Back · Mind the Green Skills Gap · Website · Facebook · Instagram

Addressing the deep traumas faced by our young climate activists.
We must address the deep traumas faced by those who are fighting in our social movements. When we fail to care for and acknowledge them and their trauma, we risk burnout of activists themselves and the movement as a whole. The climate justice movement is no different.
Recognising that trauma is not dispersed equally, young, Black, non-Black, people of colour, women, and queer climate activists shoulder a greater trauma load.
In this episode, Ferron speaks to youth climate activists Mbali, Shaazia, and Gabriel about how trauma has manifested for them in its multiple and intersectional ways while in or outside the climate justice movement. We speak about how to manage our mental health so that we are able to build a lasting, effective climate justice movement. Climate Justice Coalition · SA Depression and Anxiety Group · SA Federation of Mental Health · Mental Health Information Centre (MHIC) of Southern Africa · Grace Counselling · Lifeline · Free counselling · OUT LGBT Well-being · Counselling Hub

Learning from COSATU's radical vision of a just transition.
In this episode, we speak to Lebogang Mulaisi, the labour market policy coordinator at the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and a commissioner on the Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission. Lebogang coordinates and implements COSATU's labour market policy and the just transition to a low-carbon economy. She joins host Alex Lenferna as they discuss why capitalism is at the root of the climate crisis, and why COSATU believes that a truly just transition must mean a radical transformation towards ecosocialism. Website · Facebook · Instagram

Defining climate change as a health issue.
Health, as we understand it, should be considered central to climate change. Climate change will have profound impacts on people and public health.
In this episode, we speak to guests who work at the intersection between coal, climate, energy, and health. We reflect on the outcomes of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, specifically about discussions relating to the health sector and climate change. Our guests weigh in on whether or not we are making meaningful progress towards defining climate change as a health issue.
We've long advocated that the health sector should be vested in climate change and all the associated ways of tackling climate change. Listen to this episode to understand why. Website · Facebook · Instagram