The Sumac Debates

The Sumac Debates is an opportunity to review and reflect on grassroots approaches to the problem of climate change in the UK. We examine the interaction of approaches that prioritise social change and those that appeal to centralised power, and ask: where should / does the movement for radical social change go from here?

The Sumac Debates will take place at the Sumac Centre, Forest Fields, Nottingham, and will be recorded and published here after the event. We welcome those interested in speaking, listening and learning, to attend these discussions. We want to promote the sharing of knowledge, experience and opinion for stronger communities.

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Tuesday September 23 – 7:30pm

The State: ‘Work with the Power’

There
 are 
a 
number 
of 
ways 
of
 framing 
issues 
around 
climate 
and 
injustice 
that 
seek to
 reform/change 
the 
way 
people 
are 
governed. 
What 
are 
the 
solutions 
and
 who 
do they
 work 
for?

Topics
 for 
discussion include:

• Private high technology and the scientific community
• Radical reformism
• The joy, promise and realism of green capitalism
• Can capitalism solve climate change? At what cost?
• The role of the state in policing and peoples freedom

Intro to Sumac Debates

Download: mp3 | ogg vorbis

Part One

Download: mp3 | ogg vorbis

Part Two

Download: mp3 | ogg vorbis

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Tuesday October 21 – 7:30pm

Anarchy: ‘Prepare for decentralisation’

What 
is 
life 
like 
without
 government? 
How 
do 
communities 
build 
and 
how 
do 
they resist? 
How 
do those 
who 
are 
privileged
/
offered
 protection 
by 
powerful 
states 
learn to 
reject 
and 
resist?

Topics 
for 
discussion 
include:

• Where and what are the politics in the current climate movement?
• What do we want and how can we ‘win it’? Do we need a blueprint to win it?
• Movements of resistance around the world, education, solidarity & the PGA
• The dangers of fascism and the far right
• Confronting the state and global institutions
• Promoting decentralised, local activity

Audio coming really soon!

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Tuesday November 18 – 7:30pm

‘Alternatives not Agitation?’

We 
look 
at 
models 
and 
ideas 
for 
alternative, 
cooperative 
and 
sustainable 
living.

Topics 
for 
discussion 
include:

• The Transition Towns model and the ‘Rocky Road’ debate
• The Permaculture movement and urban agriculture
• Land based living – land based cooperatives and communities
• Addressing food production and consumption e.g. box schemes, LETS etc
• Barrios, Neighbourhoods and direct democracy

Part One

Download: mp3 | ogg vorbis

Part Two

Download: mp3 | ogg vorbis

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