Climate action in the U.S. is critical to avoiding dangerous temperature rise, potentially existential in nature. Progress toward reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions has been reversed by this administration and fossil fuel corporations given a green light.

That's bad enough. But the rising authoritarianism of this administration makes climate action extremely difficult. The rapid backsliding from democratic institutions and suppression of dissent leaves corporate greed to act unchecked. This is disastrous for the climate crisis, where renewed federal support for the fossil fuel industry is accompanied by withdrawal from international cooperation, rollback of laws that promoted climate action, and legal actions against those who would defy the administration’s program and pursue climate action independently.

Working for meaningful climate action in this atmosphere must include pushing back against authoritarianism. We need to come together with others to fight back, including by using listening tools to tackle emotional blocks to building relationships and forming alliances that have eluded us in the past.

Many social movements are coming together to push back against authoritarianism. The climate movement is part of that push back and we ask everyone to join with us to push back as we work together for a livable world.

How can we work for meaningful climate action in this atmosphere.

1. Face and address the rise of authoritarianism in our climate work.
2. Use the power of listening to release emotions – discouragement, fear, anger, despair – that can slow us down, divide us, or have us give up.
3. Build organizations in which we are committed to each other, to the earth, and to building a society in which everyone’s needs are met.
4. Come together with others who fight back – forming durable alliances and using listening to work through emotional barriers to unity across differences.
5. Use thinking turns in small groups to free up our thinking to arrive at new, workable ideas we can implement.

Followed by Healing Circle (optional)
3:30 - 4:30pm

Healing circles based on shared experiences give people a chance to be listened to about feelings connected to climate change. Having the chance to share feelings of grief, fear, anger, discouragement, and hope in a mutually supportive group can refresh us and give us new ideas for action.