For an ecologism less ‘mono’ (and more pissed off)

Andreas Malm llegó a Barcelona en tren desde Suecia, donde nació en 1977, con parada en París, porque nunca coge aviones para moverse por Europa. Aun así, no es él quien arenga sobre ir al súper con bolsa de tela, más bien es la clase de ecologista que aboga por hacer estallar cosas. Así se titula su último libro, aun no traducido al español, How to Blow Up a Pipeline (cómo hacer estallar un oleoducto), publicado por Verso Books, en el que condensa su experiencia tanto en la investigación —es profesor titular en la Universidad de Lund y autor de ensayos como Capital fósil (Capitán Swing), en el que explica de manera hiperdetallada el calentamiento global partiendo de la revolución industrial británica— como en el activismo en la calle. Malm se dio a conocer en su país cuando empezó a pinchar ruedas de todoterrenos en los barrios acomodados de Estocolmo. Les dejaba una nota que decía: “No se lo tome como algo personal, es su coche lo que no nos gusta”.

Malm suspects that the movement against climate change has come to stop "mono" and start appearing. "For a long time, the aesthetics of the movement has been like:‘ Oh, we are kind people and maja asking for reasonable things. " But the real emotion that climate movement has to learn to channel is rage, which is the one that propels social movements. This was learned for a long time ago feminism and anti -racism in the United States. ” The climatic struggle, he believes, has plenty of "strategic pacifism" and assemblies without leaders and lacks organized direct action. “On platforms such as extinction rebellion there is the doctrine that we should never deviate from nonviolence. I think that is wrong. The climate movement needs a radical flag. ” It also takes, he believes, clear leaders, a certain structure in the environmental movement. “They always want to be horizontal and are very nervous to conquer power. I do not like that. Sometimes there are protest rashes, people add, there is a wave, but then disappears and leaves no trace in politics. Organizations with elected leaders that give solidity to these movements are necessary. ”

The action for the weather, thinks, does not go through corporate environmentalism, the one practicedThey go on vacation "a few illustrated individuals."“In Sweden we have the Flygskam phenomenon, which makes people feel ashamed of taking airplanes.I am not against, I am not like those who say that it does not matter what you do in your private life, but the guilt of the individual consumer will not solve anything. ”

The only possible way, argues in its many academic and informative publications, is to stop production with fossil fuels and replace them with renewable energy."Only a few sectors would resent," he says.For example, aviation.Should we cancel all short flights and private jets?"Private planes must be criminalized, of course."He returned home as he came, by train.