Matthew Phillips’ Post

With thanks to Carnegie Endowment for International Peace for the invitation to write this, I am happy to share a paper on Egyptian civil society activism around climate change. I argue here that we need a better understanding of the tools and approaches activists adopt to connect with one another, and often with the state. We must stop pointing a torch where the light already shines. Researchers and policy makers have a journey ahead to systematically improve our capacity to track and document fragmented, but existing efforts. Like in most of the Global South, many groups working around the climate agenda do not always describe their activities in that language, or even appear to be traditional NGOs. Yet these organizations are part of the mosaic of nonstate voices shaping the climate conversation and the nature of work at the grassroots. They need partnership and support. https://lnkd.in/d8gHhRX6

Words have power. And inclusive editing matters. If this one isn't in your organization's style guide, here's your reminder to add it today:

HOW CAN WE AVOID CLIMATE HYPOCRISY? 🧠 🎯Many of us understand the risks of climate change full well, but we do not accept the responsibility. 👉That, in turn, means we may feel okay not to act. Or we may understand and accept the risk, but not have the resources or ability to act. 😰We know that presenting climate change as a problem without a solution or using fear tactics disengages and demotivates us. It can also feed anxiety, which undermines action. 1️⃣ First step to overcoming climate inaction is to identify where you can act directly, such as switching your second car to an e-bike, investing in solar panels, working on local re-vegetation projects or making climate-friendly consumer choices. (I know we can't do it immediately but small decisive steps ➡️ biiigger positive outcomes) 2️⃣ Active responses can help reduce climate anxiety and they are also the panacea for avoiding climate hypocrisy. And while large-scale policy responses are necessary, individual action and pressure can help speed up the shift. 💎Climate change isn’t just a problem for scientists, engineers and governments. We need both large-scale and small-scale action.

🐤 Fun story: In Leeds in 1806, a hen started laying eggs that had the message ‘Christ is coming’ inscribed on them. Locals visited the hen en masse, anticipating Judgement Day. Hopefully you’re not too surprised to learn it was a hoax by Mary Bateman, the hen-owner who was writing on the eggs and uh, pushing them back into the hen. That’s not the point. It’s the willingness of the people to believe that Judgement Day was imminent that’s interesting to me. When we’re convinced that we’re doomed, we find evidence everywhere. 'Just look around!' 😱 I’ve been writing about the climate crisis for nearly six years and one thing I notice is that the news hasn’t changed much since the Doomsday visions of 8th century monks ✍ The end of the world is always imminent and society is always, apparently, in a state of decay. It’s true that with each passing year, it becomes harder to reverse or mitigate the impacts of deforestation, biodiversity loss, carbon emissions and unpredictable weather. There are tipping points we can’t undo. 🌍🌠 But it is also in our nature to believe that every era is the last moment before it all goes downhill. Resharing decontextualised apocalyptic headlines is the modern-day version of visiting the hen for evidence of Christ’s second coming. 💡 Doomerism is making us mentally ill, burnt out, susceptible to misinformation, and it risks pushing people away from action. Who wants to hang out with the people who think everything is fucked? And ultimately, we don’t need to prove whether everything is getting worse or not to justify taking positive action. In a world without inequality, climate disasters and a thriving ecosystem, it would still be better to pick up that piece of litter and to act like there is a chance to make things better. There always is🌱 In today's edition The Green Fix (last before our break for the summer!) https://lnkd.in/d-HFf-aS #ClimateDoomism #ClimateHope #RadicalHope #ClimateWriting #ClimateCrisis #ClimateJustice #ChooseCourage #UprootTheSystem

Fantastic post (and related The Green Fix edition) from the amazing Cass J Hebron, who always hits the nail on the head with her content and climate work. Our entire world and existence, is all about how we frame it, and it is within our ability to create, imagine, and build, a better future, with phenomenal, hopeful narratives guiding the way. How do we do it? Subscribe to The Green Fix to find out (I also have some ideas, so drop me a line to discuss). #thegreenfix #climatestorytelling

🌍 **Climate Justice and Current Weather Conditions in Scotland** As we navigate through May, Scotland's weather patterns continue to remind us of the pressing issue of climate change. Recent fluctuations in temperature, unexpected rainfall, and shifting weather patterns are more than just anomalies—they're indicators of a larger, global challenge that demands our attention. Climate justice is about recognizing that while climate change affects us all, its impacts are not evenly distributed. In Scotland, rural communities, low-income families, and marginalized groups often bear the brunt of these changes. The current weather conditions, with increased unpredictability, highlight the urgent need for policies that address these disparities. We must advocate for climate action that includes: 🌿 Sustainable development practices 🔄 Investment in renewable energy 🛠️ Support for vulnerable communities 🌱 Education and awareness initiatives By focusing on climate justice, we ensure that our response to climate change is equitable and inclusive, providing protection and opportunities for all. Let's work together to create a sustainable future for Scotland and beyond. #ClimateJustice #SustainableScotland #ClimateAction #Weather #EquityInClimate --- Feel free to share your thoughts and how you're contributing to climate justice in your community! 🌍

The next in our webinar series is Community Connections Through Climate Actions with Glasgow Community Food Network's Food and Climate Action Team. 12-13:30 on Thursday 12th September Online via zoom, register at https://lnkd.in/gwkuQ-BU We're back from our Summer webinar break with this webinar focused on engaging communities in climate action. In working with a wide demographic ages, cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic experiences, the Food and Climate Action (FCA) team often finds that the word 'climate' can at times be off-putting or alienating to the people they work with. Framing sustainability as practical, wallet-friendly ways to build social connections empowers people with the knowledge and skills to strengthen their community while also taking actions on the climate. In this webinar The FCA team will share insights from two programmes that excel in this approach, including their Composting for the Future Initiative and Climate Crumbs workshops.  Both provide tangible actions for individuals to take on that reconcile with issues around poverty while cascading education around climate resilience.

In case you missed it, we have uploaded the video of our discussion with Monica Neupane, a climate activist and environmental advocate from Nepal, renowned for her work in climate education and sustainable development. If you are interested in becoming involved in climate works in Nepal, check out the list of organizations provided by Ms. Neupane linked in the comments below.

Good to know

Well done Elliot and Mrs King. Climate action.  When do we want it? Now. This is how we do it. Great turn out at Forest School Climate March today. For those that follow my monthly musings in the Guernsey Press, I go on about climate change a bit and the need to keep up pressure up on politicians and policy makers.  The cause has been undone by some seriously rose-tinted policy decisions and some sugar coating of the costs of sorting the problem. Add in inflation, war and Covid to the mix and the loss of popular support on climate action in understandable. But the problem is not going to be wished away. We’re already over the IPCC’s ambition to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degree.  As I said at the Lt Governors 'My Guernsey Future' reception last Autumn, its down to the younger generations to keep up the pressure. It’s your future, not mine so much.   So well done again to Elliot and all at Forest School in Guernsey, glad to be able to come down and give support.   #climateaction #climatechange