Harnessing the general intellect: working class narratives against doom and towards socialist solutions

To overcome the climate and ecological crises, we need socialist narratives and solutions shaped by the working class. The working class alone is uniquely positioned to drive the socialist transformation needed to confront these global challenges, yet capitalism has systematically excluded our class from creating solutions. The data shows us the results of this structural exclusion. According to an extensive 2023 report by Edelman Trust: "3 in 4 are worried about climate change but the majority are pessimistic about solutions". This is the result of a failure of narrative. We have allowed ourselves and our class to become “climate doomers”. However, it is possible to create working class solutions to the ecological crises within capitalist structures, but we need to begin by working with the broader public to create new narratives.
Much like how many working class children do not see themselves as potential scholars or thinkers due to a lack of representation and opportunity, the lack of creative solutions to climate change stems from the exclusionary practices of elite institutions. We need new spaces and new narratives, solution-based-narratives, narratives that celebrate the successes of climate movements and holistic depictions of working-class action. We need narratives that empower change, that open the door to the conversation and that let people in. Only then will the power of the social knowledge of the working class be given a proper channel to express itself. I propose a new type of space that gives workers the arena to express themselves and their experiences with climate change, built dialectically with academics.