Rising Tide North America

The mainstream climate movement has largely been directed by large environmental groups trying to convince politicians to pass legislation. This strategy has included brokering agreements with oil and utility companies at the expense of communities. Despite their endorsements of corporate solutions such as carbon markets, waste incineration and “clean” coal – this strategy has failed. The failure of the COP 15 talks in Copenhagen combined with Big Green’s inability to get compromised climate legislation through Congress, has hardened skepticism about whether these policy arenas can deliver a just climate solution. After a review of U.S. and UN climate policy developments - we will examine how communities can take action to confront the root causes of climate change, while challenging the corporate power and policy barriers in the way of climate justice. We will look at real examples of communities fighting corporate polluters, the significant gains they’ve won, and how their actions continue to build community resilience and undermine corporate power. We will conclude with the local story of the fight against the Detroit incinerator and how the mass action will support clean air, good jobs and climate justice.

The mainstream climate movement has largely been directed by large environmental groups trying to convince politicians to pass legislation. This strategy has included brokering agreements with oil and utility companies at the expense of communities. Despite their endorsements of corporate solutions such as carbon markets, waste incineration and “clean” coal – this strategy has failed. The failure of the COP 15 talks in Copenhagen combined with Big Green’s inability to get compromised climate legislation through Congress, has hardened skepticism about whether these policy arenas can deliver a just climate solution. After a review of U.S. and UN climate policy developments - we will examine how communities can take action to confront the root causes of climate change, while challenging the corporate power and policy barriers in the way of climate justice. We will look at real examples of communities fighting corporate polluters, the significant gains they’ve won, and how their actions continue to build community resilience and undermine corporate power. We will conclude with the local story of the fight against the Detroit incinerator and how the mass action will support clean air, good jobs and climate justice.