Thread by @SydneyAzari

We're seeing climate policy teams emerge to try and fill the deficit in Biden's plans & the void left by the suspension of the Bernie campaign,& it's important to understand that they aren't offering unique policies: this may be a strategic shift, and one that is questionable. /1

Let's start with the basics: writing policy isn't hard. Most of the ideas were born from the frontlines & organizers, with feedback into academic/policy spaces- primarily to legitimize them. What's hard is navigating political landscapes, which have shifted. /2

The big prize is defining Biden's climate plan right now, which is garbage. Biden needs the youth vote to win,& youth care about climate. That gives us tremendous leverage.

These climate think tanks are positioning themselves as a solution for Biden & climate activists /3

The big question is 'whose side are they on?' It can't be both, even if they believe it.

So it's important to understand their self-interest- whether it's career-building, saving the planet for kids, etc.

& it's VERY important to understand their theory of change. /4

If their theory of change relies on closed-door deal-making, climate activists will lose. This has been the strategy for decades, & it's cost us dearly.

If it's grounded in leveraging the power of a mass movement to win demands that they turn into policy, that's better /5

My concern is that there is more focus on getting positioned within the Biden camp than enabling the movement, & the fear of another Trump presidency is being used to excuse a strategic shift to focusing on a primarily inside vs. outside strategy.

/6

Here's the thing: Biden will lose without the youth vote, which is more diverse & concerned w/ justice & climate than other generations. He will need to make large concessions to build enthusiasm for his campaign. I don't think attempts to manufacture consent will be enough. /7

The movement is in shock right now, but PEOPLE still have the power. If climate policy groups are conceiving their value as connecting Biden w/ voters, then they need to authentically represent the will of people. Not through grasstops 'consultation,' but by aligning w/ them /8

People need to be making grassroots demands. The demands need to be winnable, have science-driven timelines, materially improve people's lives,& alter the relations of power.& we must fight for them.

This criteria is important for policymakers too-esp altering power relations /9

The Biden climate taskforce may host some of these dynamics. It may be good that Bernie appointed people that have a theory of change anchored by people power.

Policy groups will compete for influence.
But the participation of people will determine its value. /10

A return to closed-door deal-making would be the nail in the coffin of real change. The power to win real change ultimately lies with PEOPLE, & policy groups w/ interest in real change need to join movements & adhere to the will of people-not replicate hierarchies of power. /11

We can't allow fear to drive us back toward familiar patterns of "change-making" that have failed to deliver the progress we need. There is too much at stake to stop fighting- we have leverage right now. The New Deal wasn't gifted: it was a concession to prevent revolution /12

We are powerful, and we must be brave enough to use our power for authentic victories. If we stick together, we can win. A better world is still possible. 13/13