People's Power: Reclaiming the Energy Commons

The science is conclusive: to avoid irreversible climate collapse, the burning of all fossil fuels must end in the next decade. Ashley Dawson argues that we must see energy as part of the global commons and replace coal-fired power plants with for-profit solar energy farms. Peoples Power provides a persuasive critique of a market-led transition to renewable energy, surveying the early development of the electric grid in the United States and contemporary campaigns that eschew market fundamentalism and state power in favor of energy that is green, democratically managed, and equitably shared.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: OR Books

The scientific consensus is clear: to prevent irreversible climate collapse, the burning of all fossil fuels must end within the next decade. In this concise and accessible essay, Ashley Dawson outlines the necessary steps to achieve this transformative shift: replacing coal-fired power plants with for-profit solar energy farms will only perpetuate the false notion that expanding energy consumption is sustainable. We must shift our perspective on energy from a commodity to a vital component of the global commons, an essential element in the vast inheritance of air, water, plants, and cultural forms such as language and art that belong to humanity as a whole.

Peoples Power offers a compelling critique of a market-driven transition to renewable energy. It explores the early development of the electric grid in the United States, recounting the struggles for public control over power during the Great Depression. This historical context provides a framework for understanding contemporary campaigns in both the United States and Europe that prioritize green, democratic, and equitable energy distribution.

Dawson argues that the transition to renewable energy must be driven by public ownership and control, rather than by private corporations seeking profit. She highlights the successes of community-based renewable energy projects, which have demonstrated the potential to provide clean and affordable energy to marginalized communities. She also criticizes the dominant model of renewable energy development, which often prioritizes large-scale projects that benefit wealthy investors and undermine local economies and ecosystems.

The essay concludes by emphasizing the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for collective action to address it. Dawson calls for a shift in political and economic power towards communities and workers, who are most affected by climate change and have the most to gain from a sustainable and equitable energy system. She advocates for policies that promote renewable energy development, energy efficiency, and climate justice, such as a carbon tax, public ownership of utilities, and worker empowerment.

In conclusion, Ashley Dawson's Peoples Power offers a thought-provoking and actionable analysis of the transition to renewable energy. By framing energy as a global commons and advocating for public ownership and control, she provides a vision for a sustainable and equitable future that is accessible to all. We must act now to prevent irreversible climate collapse and build a world that is resilient, sustainable, and just for future generations.

Weight: 258g
Dimension: 178 x 127 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682192979