91: Welcome to the party

by

A list of 15 things you can do about climate change, ranging from easy to illegal

Dodo in a Landscape with Animals, c. 1629, Roelant Savery

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In last issue’s link extravaganza, one of the more popular articles was a post by Emily Atkin, from her awesome climate newsletter Heated, titled, “What can I do?” Anything. I totally get why that grabbed a lot of interest and it made me think that there must be an enormous hunger right now for clear actions people can take in a moment when we are all feeling increasingly helpless in the face of cascading climate impacts. I imagine more people are starting to come around to the severity and urgency of the problem, others have maybe always been concerned but are feeling more compelled to act, and still others have been doing a lot already, but are feeling like there has got to be more.

Emily Atkin’s post is really good and I definitely recommend reading it if you haven’t, but it also got me thinking maybe there is something similar I could offer, as someone who thinks about this topic all the time and who has written about and worked in the climate movement to some extent for like 15 years.

But there is just no linear path to finding your way into this party, and all paths are valid and necessary. I also don’t have any claim to the right answers here because after all, the shit that I and others have been doing for all these years clearly hasn’t been working all that great! ~laughing and crying emoji~ This is also an enormously complex problem that is always changing, and the right policy goal or organizing strategy 15 years ago is very likely the wrong one now. Which is to say that I am constantly trying to figure out what tf I should be doing at any given time myself. So I thought this could be a good exercise for me as much as you to kind of map out the items on the menu.

And I guess before I get started in earnest, there is something else I wanted to say on this topic and that is, please don’t give up on us. By us I mean like, all of us. You don’t have to be optimistic, I know things look pretty bad, but climate despair and withdrawal is really spiking out there in time with this drumbeat of terrible news. I especially feel like a lot of people who are really engaging with the issue for the first time have skipped directly from denial to, welp this is out of my hands, I hope that government/industry/whoever can get their shit together and figure it out. Some of this is a legitimate and understandable emotional response that needs to be felt and worked through. But it’s also often a position of luxury, held by a lot of contrarian white guys (takes one to know one) who feel like they suddenly need to have a tough, terse cocktail party line on climate change that usually sounds like “it’s really a technology problem,” or “time to get serious about nuclear” both of which are just not useful.

The reality is that virtually every aspect of the economy and our infrastructure and many aspects of our daily lives are going to change, either voluntarily or by force of nature, and the sooner more of the good changes happen, the less suffering and death humanity will experience along a sliding scale of potential, and the better our odds of preventing the very worst of it. Nothing you do alone can stop climate change, but everything all of us do is like a vote for a future, which given voter turnout is maybe not a great analogy to be using. Even if you’ve done absolutely nothing at all to date, honestly, who fucking cares you don’t have to do hail marys on the rosary or whatever. It’s the perfect time to start. Welcome. You made it. It’s good.

Here is my list of actions that individuals can do to fight climate change, roughly ranked from easiest to most difficult, which I would emphasize is not the same as ranking by importance or priority. And also to be perfectly clear, I absolutely do not do all of these things myself, not even close. I am right here with you figuring this out.

1. Talk about climate change

This is one that I think might seem like the dumbest, but I actually think is low key maybe the most important. The reason is that there is strong evidence that our individual decision-making is much more a product of social phenomena than we would often like to admit, contributing to what Robert H. Frank calls behavioral contagion. As Favianna Rodriguez says, culture moves faster than policy, often a precursor to rapid systemic changes. She’s referring to culture in terms of art and other forms of narrative, but the same can be said about our day-to-day interactions and social connections.

Think about it – how often do you have a random conversation with someone about climate change? Probably not that often, even though it is the biggest problem we all face. We have to normalize talking about it. Recommend an article, ask people what they think, acknowledge your own anxiety.

2. Keep learning about climate change

It can feel like a constant challenge to stay on top of the issue, even as someone who does it as part of his job. Fortunately, there is more user friendly information out there than ever before, in any form you could ever want. So many great nonfiction books (a plug for All We Can Save). And increasingly a lot of fiction on the topic (I’m currently enjoying Ministry for the Future). Lots of great newsletters! Another thing I would recommend is podcasts if that’s your thing. I actually think this might be the best way to learn about climate change, and there are tons of them maybe I’ll do a list at some point let me know if that would be useful.

3. Get to know your neighbors

In areas of New York like Red Hook that were hit hard by Superstorm Sandy, the residents who had the strongest social connections and networks fared better in reacting, responding and recovering from the storm. Research on the deadly Chicago heat wave of 1995 found that among demographically similar areas, those with thriving community organizations and civic engagement had drastically reduced mortality rates. We learn this lesson over and over again. When we find ourselves at greater risk of disruption and disaster, it’s our social networks that save us.

4. Make strategic changes to your lifestyle

This one may be a little controversial, because it is currently fashionable among climate activists to say that the need for individual action is a lie, which is an important correction after years of awful neoliberal messaging that said all we needed to do was change our lightbulbs and shame on us for leaving the lights on. When in fact, we need to dismantle the most powerful industry in the world, rebuild our entire energy infrastructure, and pass public policy that will impact everyone in the world.

So all that is true, but I think there’s been an overcorrection and that message has turned into, “because systems need to change, there’s no point in individuals making changes” and people disengage. You see this all the time in memes that are like oh look at these fires good thing you aren’t using straws you stupid idiot. But there’s no reason individual and systemic change should be at odds, and separating the two overlooks the fact that individual change contributes to systems change.

For one, this is another matter of behavioral contagion, where signaling genuine concern and action can spark others to do the same, and that translates to not just changing lightbulbs or putting up solar panels, but going to demonstrations, voting, etc. All of this builds personal connections to climate change, and shifts cultural norms in ways that set the table for more radical change. I also tend to think of this as a form of prefigurative politics, in which we live the values we want to see reflected in the world as a virtue in itself.

Another techier argument for this one comes from Saul Griffith, who encourages us to focus on individual action in terms of transforming our own personal infrastructure, meaning pivotal decisions we make around things like cars, utilities, housing. There are certain lifestyle changes that actually do have long-lasting effects because they alter the way we will live for years to come.

5. Vote for and otherwise support elected officials taking climate change seriously. Do not vote for candidates who aren’t. Like fucking ever I’m serious.

This is the only one where I get real judgey so skip it if you want. The counterpoint to the individual lifestyle change point is that the really big climate change solutions ultimately have to come from government. Community action has to build to large scale policy. Governments are not only needed to take the right actions, but the wrong governments will also actively block action from happening.

Voting for elected officials who are unsupportive of action on climate change is frankly the single worst thing you can do as an individual when it comes to climate change. And to be honest that means Republicans I am sorry but it’s true. You don’t have to like Democrats I don’t even like most Democrats but you just can’t vote for Republicans if you care about climate change. This one goes far beyond big elections on the national stage though—city councils, state legislatures, vote, canvass, donate, phone bank, yard sign, whatever is your thing you like to do.

6. Tell your elected officials you care about climate change

You got someone in office now remind them via email, twitter, phone call, office hours that climate change is one of the most important issues for you. I can do a lot better on this I find myself reaching out to my electeds mainly in like crisis moments or when big votes come up but I’ve rarely just written to say hey this is the most important thing I need from you.

7. Donate to organizing, advocacy and direct action groups

A classic. Even small donations add up and fuel the most powerful organizations pooling collective power. I prefer automatic monthly donations so I don’t have to keep track of what I’m giving to and currently donate to Sunrise, Climate Justice Alliance, and ACE (a Boston climate justice group). Others I periodically give to include Native Renewables, Green Roots (another local group), Indigenous Environmental Network. But honestly, there are so many you can support, particularly if you have an interest like outdoorsy stuff, birds, hunting/fishing, even skiing, you can find groups that work on climate these days. I’ve done a couple annual giving guides if you’re looking for ideas.

8. Move your investments away from the fossil fuels

This one helps reinforce the stigma around the fossil fuel industry and actually does build up to financial consequences. The flip side of divestment is that you can also invest in high-performing funds that support renewables and other climate friendly enterprises. This is another one I need to do I have a humble IRA that I created in a panic a while back when I had a huge tax bill and I am long overdue in moving it to an ESG fund.

9. Participate in climate change marches and mass demonstrations

One of my faves! For some people this is a no go because of various anxiety issues or some people feel understandably unsafe if there’s a risk of interaction with police or sometimes counterprotestors. But mass demonstrations are overwhelmingly safe, reaffirming, and yes, impactful. Protests signal latent political power to decision-makers, contribute to cultural change, and form bonds and commitments that reverberate well beyond any one event. All you gotta do is show up!

10. Start a climate change discussion group

This is like “talk about climate change” but the advanced version. It has the same effects, but also creates those important social bonds, and helps deal with the emotional trauma of climate change. It’s another one I’ve never done but have considered doing. One easy way to do it would be a climate change book club. The All We Can Save project has a feature called Circles, created by Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, which is a kind of template for a climate change support and discussion group structured around the book. Sounds amazing.

11. Take up a climate friendly hobby

Urban farming, climate victory gardens, building green infrastructure in empty lots, water conservation projects, planting trees, starting a blog or newsletter. I guess I have this thing but I would love to find the right get your hands dirty climate hobby.

12. Volunteer with organizing, advocacy, and direct action groups

One great thing about giving to a local organization is that it opens to door to participating directly in their work. That could involve outreach or lobbying efforts or rallies, but if you have a skill or interest, there are grassroots organizations that could use your help, whether that’s communications, design, legal expertise, helping with events, stapling shit, whatever. If you’re not sure where to start, groups like Sunrise and 350.org and XR have active chapters in many cities, or check out any of CJA’s local member groups.

13. Organize where you have influence

OK now things are starting to get a little more complicated, but consider that whatever stuff you do, like your work, your hobbies, your kids’ schools, etc, chances are there are things you could do to organize other people toward some climate action that is bigger than just you. That could include inviting an expert to come and give a talk or setting up a panel for a work or some other event. Maybe you get your office or local school district to install solar panels, or reduce your company’s corporate flights. Or get whatever community organization you might be involved with to sign on or partner on something with another group that works on climate. Hold a fundraiser. Everyone has some people who will listen to them so get those people to do stuff and they they will get their people to do stuff. This is another one that I feel like I do a little but I could do a lot more if I got creative.

14. Intentionally get arrested in a direct action

OK shit is starting to get real now. Groups like Sunrise and Extinction Rebellion have used sit-ins and blocking of roads resulting in arrest to great effect, forcing profound shifts in climate discourse as a result. And you may be familiar with civil resistance’s other greatest hits like the Civil Rights Movement, the anti-apartheid movement, the Iranian revolution, and so on. This is another one that is not on the table for everyone (I’ve never been arrested myself), particularly for people of color who face far greater risk at the hands of police. But aside from fiery young activists, people with some level of privilege or perceived societal status, like seniors or those involved in faith organizations, often turn to this strategy. The groups mentioned above hold regular trainings and direct actions, and the Ruckus Society is another organization that specializes in teaching nonviolent resistance.

15. Use your body to block the construction of fossil fuel infrastructure

This is kind of an offshoot of the last one, but the impressive feat of dramatically lowering the cost of renewables has not actually reduced carbon emissions because we just keep drilling for and burning fossil fuels. The supply, not just the demand for fossil fuels, has to be stopped. Indigenous activists and otheres who are leading efforts to block fossil fuel infrastructure are climate heroes, and it often works. It has very real personal consequences, but is one of the most profound things someone can do to fight climate change.

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So there is my list, work in progress, one that will definitely be ever expanding. Not all of them will be right for you, not all of them are right for me. Maybe think of it more like a menu than a checklist but the waiter is coming so come on try to decide soon.

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Links

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Listening

I Don’t Want to Die, by Waltzer

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Watching

I’ve been watching The Deuce which is really good, but I would like to highlight this amazing 2016 anime I watched over the weekend called Your Name, directed by Makoto Shinkai. It is one of the most beautiful animated movies I’ve ever seen, and it’s very emotional and sweet and funny too. Loved it, want to watch it again.

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Well I am about to head to Arizona to visit family and friends for the first time in over two years and looks like I timed it perfectly just as the delta variant is poppin off. I think it will be fine I will be careful you please be careful too but man I find it really hard to know what we should be doing right now other than getting vaccinated obviously jfc people.

But that also means that the newsletter will be taking a little summer vacation for the next two weeks but don’t worry I will be back before you know it. I will miss you all, individually. Take care of yourselves please water the plants in the palace while I am gone I will bring you all souvenirs back from Arizona how about a paperweight with a scorpion inside or a tequila candy with a worm in it OK you got it.

Tate

PS I know a lot of readers have been at this thing a lot longer than I have – what is on your list of climate actions that you take and other people can take? What are you planning to add?