Sean, your comments are very astute.
The Green Party has a huge advantage in addressing both environmental and social justice because they have a base that is more committed, certainly to the first item. Or maybe it's more accurate to say they have less of a disadvantage.
The NDP has a large achilles heel with respect to both of these issues. That achilles heel is union support.
Unions might claim to be green but unions are first and always agents for their members. Often, issues are portrayed as environment vs jobs and unions will take jobs (as long as they're unionized of course) every time. Also, I've known lots of unionized workers who drive big 4x4's, live in big houses and own other environmentally unfriendly toys like boats and snowmobiles. In short, I think a big portion of the NDP base have a shallow commitment (at best) to environmental issues.
In terms of social justice, I'd say the same thing. I've been in a union for a lot of years and I know some union organizers who are deeply committed to social justice. But the rank and file mostly see the union (and, by extension the NDP) as a way to keep secure, good paying jobs. I've known lots of union members who were pulling down 6 figures and for the most part, they're not eager to change the world so they'll have less and someone in the third world will have more.
So Sean, I hear what you're saying. Maybe I'm a polyanna but I am more optimistic than you on what can be done (not saying that it will). By sharing technology, we could greatly reduce the environmental footprint of growth in developing countries. If they refrain from our destructive car-centred lifestyles, that would go a long way as well. Most of the world's population lives in warmer climates so their carbon footprints will not have to account for heating in -40 weather. In short, maybe we can move back from our overconsumptive ways as they move ahead. If they develop in a smart fashion, maybe we wouldn't have to give up as much as you think.
Anyway, thanks for the food for thought.