Revealing the missing link to climate justice: drug policy
The report by a coalition of scientists, academics and activists from all over the world (currently co-ordinated by Health Poverty Action) outlines the key ways in which drug policy impedes climate justice… if those in public office have been corrupted or otherwise undermined by corruption, it is much more likely they won’t be securing the much-needed transition to sustainable agriculture, nor implementing climate-resilient development. They will not be governing for climate justice.
That elephant is the global system… the ‘war on drugs.’ Drug prohibition is a key driver of organised crime, corruption and state capture in ecologically fragile regions. Addressing the climate emergency requires urgent, coordinated action by the environmental and drug policy movements, to replace prohibition with regulation that supports people and planet. The act of making high-demand products illegal creates a high-stakes shadow economy, with astronomical profit and power for those who control it. These are enough to embed violence and corruption, ‘buy off ’ officials of all grades and divert resources and policies to meet the needs of organised crime. Drug reform is not only relevant to the cause of climate justice, but an essential part of the solution. It is time for the environmental movement to include drug reform in their agenda to deliver climate justice.
Original Article (Streets of Toronto):
Revealing the missing link to climate justice: drug policy
Artwork Fair Use: Public Domain
