Saving OurselvesSaving Ourselves

"In March 2020, when most of the world stayed locked inside their homes, the environmental benefits were substantial and drove an environmental change that put society on a much more sustainable trajectory. Rapid change in policies and behaviors are in stark contrast to the slow and ineffective ways that the world has responded to the climate crisis before and after the spring of 2020. When world leaders finally met at the COP-26 climate negotiations in Glasgow in November 2021, they were expected to coordinate a global response to the climate crisis. The outcome, however, was disappointing - countries were unable to agree to the emissions reductions needed and after two weeks of muddled negotiations, countries punted, deciding to meet back in another year to finalize their plans for climate action that would limit global warming below the 1.5 degree threshold that scientists have determined will keep the most dire effects of climate change at bay" We've known for decades that climate change is an existential crisis. For just as long, we've seen the complete failure of our institutions to rise to the challenge. Governments have struggled to meet even modest goals. Fossil fuel interests maintain a stranglehold on political and economic power. Even though we have seen growing concern from everyday people, civil society has succeeded only in pressuring decision makers to adopt watered-down policies. All the while, the climate crisis worsens. Is there any hope of achieving the systemic change we need?Dana R. Fisher argues that there is a realistic path forward for climate action--but only through mass mobilization that responds to the growing severity and frequency of disastrous events. She assesses the current state of affairs and shows why public policy and private-sector efforts have been ineffective. Spurred by this lack of progress, climate activism has become increasingly confrontational. Fisher examines the radical flank of the climate movement: its emergence and growth, its use of direct action, and how it might evolve as the climate crisis worsens. She considers when and how activism is most successful, identifying the importance of creating community, capitalizing on shocking moments, and cultivating resilience. Clear-eyed yet optimistic, Saving Ourselves offers timely insights on how social movements can take power back from deeply entrenched interests and open windows of opportunity for transformative climate action.--