The magnitude of the planetary crisis requires action of a similar size; the solution is system change

A statement by Friends of the Earth International arguing that the planetary crisis, including climate change and biodiversity loss, cannot be solved within the current capitalist economic system and instead requires a fundamental "system change" based on people's sovereignty and justice.

• The organization asserts that the current dominant economic system is incapable of solving the climate, social, and environmental crises because it is based on a "capitalist logic of accumulation" and "endless growth and profit," which concentrates power and wealth among a few elites and corporations.
• System change requires addressing root causes such as privatization, financialization, and the commodification of nature, while establishing radical democracies and international laws that prioritize people over corporate profit.
• A fundamental transformation of the energy system is necessary, moving beyond mere technological changes to a "just transition" characterized by a total departure from fossil fuels and a shift toward public and community ownership to prevent energy from being treated as a commodity.
• The document advocates for a radical transformation of food and forest management, promoting food sovereignty, agroecology, and the securing of community rights over forests, noting that currently only eight per cent of the world's forests are managed by communities.
• Gender justice is identified as a critical component of system change, requiring the deconstruction of the sexual division of labor, the advancement of feminist economy principles, and the recognition of women as political subjects to stop violence against them.

APA

admin (2018). The magnitude of the planetary crisis requires action of a similar size; the solution is system change. Friends of the Earth International. https://www.foei.org/the-magnitude-of-the-planetary-crisis-requires-action-of-a-similar-size-the-solution-is-system-change/

Chicago

admin. The magnitude of the planetary crisis requires action of a similar size; the solution is system change. Friends of the Earth International, 2018. https://www.foei.org/the-magnitude-of-the-planetary-crisis-requires-action-of-a-similar-size-the-solution-is-system-change/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=admin |title=The magnitude of the planetary crisis requires action of a similar size; the solution is system change |publisher=Friends of the Earth International |date=14 August 2018 |url=https://www.foei.org/the-magnitude-of-the-planetary-crisis-requires-action-of-a-similar-size-the-solution-is-system-change/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{admin2018magnitude, author = {admin}, title = {{The magnitude of the planetary crisis requires action of a similar size; the solution is system change}}, publisher = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2018}, month = aug, url = {https://www.foei.org/the-magnitude-of-the-planetary-crisis-requires-action-of-a-similar-size-the-solution-is-system-change/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }