Folks, we all need to become climate activists now. I know that's a strong statement because there are so many critical causes, but I stand by it. This will increasingly become life-or-death for an increasing number of people.
In fact, there are so many critical causes that the elites are utterly failing to address, that I am not sure what to do.
I do know that only the left holds the vision now. The right has entirely parted from reality, and the center thinks little tweaks are enough. They are not. But the left is uniquely bad at building coalitions and building power.
Meanwhile, the entire planetary system is careening irreversibly toward a physical state that will be irreconcilable with civilization at its current scale. Of this, I am certain. I'm not sure what else to say right now. I'm breathing smoky air and I don't feel well.
I guess, I will add, that I am sorry. I'm sorry we're at this point, and I'm sorry for this dark thread. Also that I can't tell anyone how to be an activist. I am getting less polite, and more direct. But for now here are some suggestions that might help:
Also, here's a brief description of climate emergency mode. I think we have to start thinking differently, where we are grateful for things like food, life, community; and obsessed w equality and stopping further breakdown.
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

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More from @ClimateHuman

21 Sep
I just want to say fuck the coal industry. Fuck it all the way to hell. Fuck the coal barons. FUCK JOE MANCHIN. Let's retrain all the blue collar workers and give them job guarantees but I never again want to hear "but the jobs" as an excuse to keep this fossil industry around.
Here is some context. It is IMPOSSIBLE to state how wrong this is. It is a planet-sized conflict of interest. It is a travesty of government that this is even legal. It shows clearly how the state and the legal system exist to serve only the rich
nytimes.com/2021/09/19/cli…
Read 6 tweets
17 Sep
Nope, the most underrated climate tech is just ending the goddamn fossil fuel industry, I am being serious
I keep hearing "let's do this or that crazy tech, anything but come to terms with just ending fossil fuels." Not having that deadly industry around anymore will be a step function improvement for civilization
Oh yeah, and the end of the fossil fuel industry is closer than you think. I get more sure of this every day.
Read 4 tweets
11 Sep
Eventually we need to get to the point where world governments (the current ones or replacements) say "Sorry fossil fuel corporations, you lied for decades and we are all in mortal peril now, those who lied go to prison & we're seizing your assets and rationing supplies."
For this to happen the movement needs to get strong enough that there is no more social license for the fossil fuel industry. Remember that the legal system is just a codification of social contracts and these change... for example if the Earth's very habitability is threatened.
Obviously the sooner we get to this point, the better for all of us.
Read 4 tweets
10 Sep
My latest: There are two fatal flaws with “net zero by 2050.” One is “net zero.” The other is “by 2050”.
theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
The main point of the piece: the only way out of this crisis is for society to shift into climate emergency mode. "Net zero by 2050" makes this impossible.
The fossil fuel industry LOVES "net zero by 2050." We need to directly attack the fossil fuel industry, which means an earlier goal, and - critically - binding annual targets for reductions and policy plans for achieving those annual targets.
Read 7 tweets
8 Sep
A few years ago, very few people cared about climate breakdown. Now, the public cares a lot and wants action. This is huge. The next step is to leverage that public concern against the incumbent, recalcitrant fossil fuel industry and fossil politicians.
There are many ways to do this while also building the movement. Strikes. Global marches in the tens or hundreds of millions (we know now that 7 million does not create this leverage). Continued pressure on media and finance. XR-style disobedience. More radical direct actions.
Also pushing from within the system. Lawsuits and challenges to the legal system (e.g. ecocide law). Better and more mainstream climate storytelling. Climate candidates running & winning. Visioning in detail a harmonious human presence on Earth, the new narrative. We need it all
Read 6 tweets
11 Aug
I am calling for a rapid end to the fossil fuel industry. This is the 1st key piece for most people getting out of this alive. The 2nd key piece is reorganizing economics: degrowth.

There IS a path, those in power aren't walking on it... yet.
Lots of other important stuff, too, like ending animal agriculture, policies to stabilize population (especially empowering women), preserving wild places (Half-Earth), extending legal rights to nonhumans and places, policies to reduce inequality within & across borders...
The key thing - the thing our "theories of change" had better lead to - is getting those in power walking on this path, quickly. Whether that means pushing current / similar leadership to do this, or replacing them / gaining power ourselves somehow
Read 4 tweets

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