Taking into account the increasing importance of life as a general dynamic of the course, in the Judimendi Solidarity Network (Vitoria-Gasteiz) we have carried out a study on the increase of energy during the first three months of the course. After the numerous actions carried out in the framework of this work, we have seen the need to convene a resident mobilization that will depart from Plaza Médico Tornay on January 12 at 19:30.

In fact, the consequences of a recent survey in Judimensiondi are serious: one third of the residents are having trouble paying for energy this winter and more than 90% are forced to change their consumption habits by the increase in energy prices. Meanwhile, the profits of large energy companies are constantly growing. This makes it clear that the root of the problem is not an increase in the original price of energy, but in the economic margins of energy companies. In other words, the increase in life, and in particular energy, is not explained by conjunctural events, but is a direct consequence of capitalism.

It is true that the extraordinary wind power generation of the last few days of the year and the drop in energy demand on the tropical winter holidays we have had, has blurred the blow in many homes, but in recent days prices have risen again. It does not seem too reasonable to leave in the hands of a market that fluctuates the price of energy in the face of the weather precariousness of climate change, nor to subject the production of basic goods, in this case energy, to companies seeking economic benefits.

However, increasing life is not just a matter of rising prices. Current conditions do not guarantee capital growth rates once, so to ensure accumulation, life has been attacked. Capital is narrowing wage work more than ever, increasing the peripheries of the labour market, where low wages, bias, temporality and instability predominate. In this way, as prices rise, real wages fall, that is, our consumer capacity decreases. And, therefore, the structural weakness of the capitalist system to guarantee the material conditions of the popular classes is evident, as it is evident that the market is not the ideal mechanism for the allocation of resources.

That is why we call for action to denounce that, as long as we have difficulty paying for a basic good such as energy, large energy companies have accumulated enormous profits. In other words, to denounce that the profits of these companies are obtained over our misery. On the other hand, not being able to deal with the energy bill to make it appear that it is not an individual problem and to strengthen the community in the face of this problem. Or what is the same, to foster solidarity among the oppressed.

In conclusion, I would point out that in this situation, political authority has two options. Obey the energy oligopoly or achieve the common, common interests and common needs. So far, under neoliberal policies, there have been commodification, privatization, financing and deregulation of activities that were not subject to market logic. This implies the expropriation of goods and services essential for sustaining life, for the benefit of the reproduction of capital. The consideration of the community as a basis requires, in addition to the general philosophy, a transformation of the ways of doing. It implies a transformation in the modes of participation and in the role of the community. We know that solutions to the energy problem are not easy, but we are in favour of thinking and implementing together. Community control of a basic good such as energy is the only way to change course.

However, we are not going to be naïve, we in the EU know that we are not going to find solutions (only) at district level. The neighborhood is a space where everyday life occurs, where the closest relationships of each day occur. The neighborhood allows us to develop relationships among those with the same problems and we are convinced that different dynamics of collaboration can emerge from these relationships. In short, if the neighborhood is the reference space of our day to day, it is logical to want to turn it into a habitable space. Similarly, we are aware that in order to achieve these objectives we will have to have an impact on other actors and on other frameworks. That is why we show our total willingness in cooperation with other actors.

UNITED STATES, Judimendi Solidarity Network