Guide to Climate and Environmental Action
From The Observatory
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Editor: Reynard Loki
Source: Earth Food Life Project
In a democratic society, the power to address the climate crisis lies with the people. And it begins at home, our backyards, our neighborhoods and local communities.
When we think about effective climate action, there are many different factors and options to consider, from working within your local community to advance climate resiliency projects and urging the media to meet its climate commitments, to supporting the growth and popularity of climate fiction. Climate action can also be aided by reframing the climate crisis. Instead of seeing it only through a scientific lens but rather as a form of oppression by the wealthy elite or a matter of children’s rights, the climate crisis can be addressed on a systemic, sociopolitical level.
This guide explores various ways to approach climate action and activism, including concrete examples you can use in your own backyard and local community, plus success stories that can be emulated and reproduced wherever you are.1
Decades of unjust land use decisions have deliberately shaped and harmed communities. But there are concrete actions you can take to make positive changes. Understanding how policies are made can help you get involved in decisions that shape your community. You can focus on areas like master plans, zoning, and local ordinances, which guide decisions about resources. By working together, you and your local allies can push for policies that promote climate resilience, create local jobs, and support housing for all, without harming vulnerable communities. It’s important to ensure that those affected by changes are included in the decision-making process and that their voices are heard, advancing justice and equity.
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Despite media organizations acknowledging climate change and committing to sustainability, their recipe sections often neglect the link between food choices and the environment. A study found that only seven percent of climate articles mentioned animal agriculture, overshadowed by the emphasis on transportation. Mainstream media, with their extensive influence, could significantly impact cultural norms by promoting climate-friendly, plant-based foods.
Readers can to advocate for these changes by writing letters to editors, contributing to the global movement towards a more sustainable and climate-friendly food system.
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Instead of relying solely on scientific framing or the concerns of future generations, alternative perspectives can evoke a stronger response. For instance, presenting climate crisis-driven heat waves as the deliberate and indiscriminate killing of vulnerable populations by wealthy elites and their political cronies can resonate with people’s instincts for justice and protection.
While alternative framing is powerful, solutions to the climate crisis require legal accountability, regulation, and mitigation strategies. As with the Nuremberg trials, unprecedented threats demand unprecedented systems of justice. We have the power to hold corporations accountable for their actions and to transform their structures.
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By Katherine Dolan | From Earth Food Life Project
Climate action can be spurred by the increased interest in and production of climate fiction, which has become a powerful tool to raise awareness and motivate action on climate change.
Fiction helps us understand and feel the impact of climate change beyond cold facts. Fictional stories can inspire empathy, hope, and a sense of urgency. Fictional stories can also create a sense of community and shared experience, helping us navigate the complex issue of climate change together.
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By April M. Short | From Local Peace Economy Project
Due to decades of activism by a coalition of Indigenous groups, commercial fishers, concerned citizens and environmentalists, Oregon and California state governments committed to removing four dams along the Klamath River. The alliance of tribes, commercial fishers, and environmental groups proved to be a winning formula. Strong leadership fostered meaningful relationships and collaborations. The plan sets a global model for collaboration and sustainable river restoration.
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In our efforts to support native plants, birds, and pollinators in our yards, we may accidentally create ecological traps that endanger wildlife. To promote biodiversity and protect the animals we cherish, a culture change is needed in how we approach native plantings. By implementing five key actions, we can create backyard sanctuaries that not only attract wildlife but also safeguard their well-being.
