Week 9: Brave new worlds
Who has the power to make a difference in the fight against climate change, and what could that look like? This week’s materials provide resources for climate action and education and examples of how everyday people are making a difference.
- How to talk about climate to make a difference,
“What we say about climate change and how we say it matters. It affects how people think, feel and act.” (Video by On Road Media, 2020).
- Tips for YOU to save the planet
“What can we do to get governments and businesses to take the necessary action? What changes can we make to our lifestyles to have a practical, meaningful impact? Here are Cambridge Youth Strikers 4 Climate with some ideas for you!” (Cambridge Youth Strikers 4 Climate, 2021)
- Are You Wondering How to Make Impactful Climate Action?
“Learn about the four levels of climate action to pick what works best for you.” (Online article by Krista Kurth, Medium, 2020)
- Human Impact Stories
“People inspire us every day with their words, their actions, and their stories. Here we share your tales of innovation and impact.” (online database of stories related to climate, Human Impact Institute)
- Climate Change’s Best Hope
“The one thing Katherine Hayhoe wishes we did about climate change.” (Video, NOVA PBS Official, 2018)
- 5 Big Ideas to Address the Climate Crisis and Inequality in Cities
“(…) cities remain creative dynamos, constantly innovating and changing. Below are five big ideas for how to reduce urban inequality and respond to climate change at the same time. Chosen from more than 260 submissions, these projects are the finalists for the 2020-2021 WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities.” (Article and resources By Madeleine Galvin and Anne Maassen, The World Resources Institute, 2020)
- A Collated List of Online Climate Change Learning Resources (Sustainability and Environmental Education )
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Week 8: Politics of un/sustainability
Bloomberg (2020)
All Politics Is Local, Including Climate Politics
Not every country in the Paris Agreement is making the same sacrifices to reach climate goals. Why, then, have 75 countries announced stronger climate commitments in 2020 rather than dropping out of the agreement? This article argues that domestic support within countries has a more powerful effect on international climate politics than reciprocal actions by other nations.
Read the article on this page or the original publication here >
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UK Parliament (2020)
Climate Assembly UK members on their report
We have many examples of what climate politics looks like on an international level, but what does it look like on the level of everyday citizens? This video tells the story of Climate Assembly UK and how people from all walks of life came together to discuss how the UK can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to write a list of recommendations for the national government.
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Peter Schwartzstein (The Atlantic, 2019)
The Middle East’s Authoritarians Have Come for Conservationists
For some, the stakes of climate activism are higher than for others.
Read the original publication here >
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BBC REEL
How the Dutch are reshaping their post-pandemic economy
An emerging economic model aims to shift our focus from constant growth to balance and wellbeing. Could ‘Doughnut economics’ create a safe, sustainable and just future?
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Additional Resources and Alternative Perspectives
Interested to learn more about this week’s topic? We have selected some materials for you. These resources consist of introductory information, in-depth texts, case studies and challenging counter perspectives.
Introductions and Definitions
Relevant Research
Additional Contexts
Different Perspectives
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Week 7: Climate of Unrest
NowThis News (2019)
How Young Climate Crisis Activists Changed the World
In US news and current events today, NowThis News is looking back on the biggest moments of the year in climate activism and the fight against climate change. This is how young climate crisis activists changed the world. One of the biggest moments of the year was when teen climate activist and Fridays for Future founder Greta Thunberg spoke at the United Nations.
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Migration Matters (2020)
How can we take action on climate change and migration?
Dr. Yvonne Su together with youth climate activists from around the world explain why young people’s engagement in the climate movement is so important. They also give some specific examples for how other people can take action. To round off the series, our three experts share their hopes for the future of climate change and migration research.
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Middle East Eye (2019)
Climate change in the Middle East: These young activists are making a difference
Young climate change activists and environmentalists in the Middle East and North African region are making a difference. This article features five leading environmental activists in that region who started their own fight against climate change and its effects.
Read the article on this page or the original publication here >
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TED (2020)
If you adults won’t save the world, we will TED
In a moving letter to her grandmother, Xiye Bastida reflects on what led her to become a leading voice for global climate activism. She shares with her grandmother her success in mobilizing school climate strikes and speaking at the United Nations Climate Summit.
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Additional Resources and Alternative Perspectives
Interested to learn more about this week’s topic? We have selected some materials for you. These resources consist of introductory information, in-depth texts, case studies and challenging counter perspectives.
Introductions and Definitions
Relevant Research
Additional Contexts
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Week 6: ‘Climate refugees’, 'climate migrants' and questions about responsibility
Migration Matters (2020)
‘Climate migrants’ or ‘climate refugees’?
What are the terms used to label people whose reasons for migrating are related to climatic conditions/changes? In this video, Dr. François Gemenne and Dr. Caroline Zickgraf explain why ‘climate refugee’ is a taboo term and Dr. Yvonne Su gives a counter argument about why ‘climate refugee’ is a useful and important term for protecting people’s rights.
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Migration Matters (2020)
What is our responsibility to climate migrants?
How should we frame responsibility for protecting those displaced because of environmental disasters and climate change? While protection in international law is not adequate, Dr. François Gemenne analyzes some of the legal protections that are available and notes some organizations and initiatives working to promote these rights. Youth activists also give their take.
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Climate and Migration Coalition
Infographic: exploring evidence for the climate change and conflict connection
There are several arguments that climate change results in armed conflict. How valid are these arguments, and is this always the case? This infographic shows the current evidence we have about the consequences of climate change, and whether it supports the conclusion that these consequences lead to conflict.
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Sustainable Development Goals UN (2019)
Let’s Talk About Climate Migrants, Not Climate Refugees
Why would a UN Migration Agency argue against giving people displaced due to climatic reasons a climate-specific legal status? Dina Ionesco, from the International Organization for Migration, shares 10 aspects that define human mobility that the status ‘climate refugees’ fails to address.
Read the article on this page or the original publication here >
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Additional Resources and Alternative Perspectives
Interested to learn more about this week’s topic? We have selected some materials for you. These resources consist of introductory information, in-depth texts, case studies and challenging counter perspectives.
Introductions and Definitions
Relevant Research
Additional Contexts
Other Perspectives
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Week 5: A cycle of vulnerability
Migration Matters (2020)
What would you do if your home got flooded?
If your house were destroyed in a flood, you’d move to a new place – right? “Mobility” is a useful umbrella term that encapsulates forced displacement and voluntary migration. Dr. Caroline Zickgraf and Dr. François Gemenne also emphasize the need to understand why people do not (or cannot) move, even after an environmental disaster.
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Nat. Youth Council of Ireland
An Introduction to Climate Justice
This video describes how climate justice considers the way in which the climate crisis disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. It is a human-centered approach that takes into account how the climate movement is tied to other worldwide social justice movements. It argues that climate action is not enough; we must demand an equitable, fair, inclusive solution to the climate crisis.
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UNFPA (2015)
Sustainable Development Goal 11: Cities
ABSTRACT: How do cities impact the environment, and how are urban areas vulnerable to climate change? Technical Specialist Daniel Schensul from the United Nations Population Fund answers these questions and discusses how cities can become more resilient and sustainable.
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Migration Matters (2020)
What can cities do to protect climate migrants?
Cities face a number of serious threats from climate change and those who have already migrated to cities face extra hazards. Dr. Caroline Zickgraf and Dr. François Gemenne look at some of the ways cities are especially vulnerable to climatic and environmental changes, the specific challenges for migrants living in cities, and how governments can adapt to protect residents and promote integration.
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BBC (2020)
‘Heat gap’: Why some city districts are hotter than others
One would think that each inhabitant of a city is living in the same climate as every other person in the city. This article states that this assumption is not true. In fact, one neighbourhood can be 11 degrees Celsius hotter than the one next to it. What can explain this drastic difference in temperature and how is it related to social inequality?
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Additional Resources and Alternative Perspectives
Interested to learn more about this week’s topic? We have selected some materials for you. These resources consist of introductory information, in-depth texts, case studies and challenging counter perspectives.
Introductions and Definitions
Relevant Research
Additional Contexts
Other Perspectives
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Week 4: Migration as the tip of the iceberg
Migration Matters (2020)
How many people will migrate because of climate change?
People often want to know the numbers when it comes to climate-related migration, but how much should numbers be relied on? In this video, experts highlight the difficulty of obtaining accurate numbers of current and future environmental migrants. They also share their thoughts on how accurate and useful numbers are in this discussion, and what kinds of statistics we might be able to trust.
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Migration matters (2020)
How can migration be used to respond to climate change?
Migration is often seen as a problem related to climate change, but Dr. François Gemenne and Dr. Caroline Zickgraf argue that migration is also a part of the solution. Together they give examples of ways in which people and governments have approached migration as a strategy that can be used to effectively adapt to the changes brought about by climate change.
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Migration Matters (2020)
What can Senegal teach us about climate migration?
Does migration have to mean leaving your community and way of life behind you? Dr. Caroline Zickgraf shares an example from Senegal to show how some migrants have used migration to hold onto their livelihoods and allow them to maintain their ability to return back home.
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Sharing Perspectives Foundation
With Mariam Traore Chazalnoe
In this packed episode we explore the linkages between climate change and migration. Julie got the chance to talk with Mariam Traore Chazalnoel, who works with the United Nations Migration Agency as an expert in migration, environment and climate change.
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Additional Resources
Interested to learn more about this week’s topic? We have selected some materials for you. These resources consist of introductory information, in-depth texts, case studies and challenging counter perspectives.
Introductions and definitions:
Relevant Research:
Additional Contexts:
Other Perspectives:
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Week 3: Tipping points and solutions
Carbon Brief (2020)
What is a climate ‘tipping point?’
In this interview, Dr. Tim Lenton defines what a ‘tipping point’ means in conversations about the climate. He describes which tipping points scientists have identified that humans are in danger of reaching, and what the results would be if we did so.
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The YEARS Project (2019)
Can Tech Save The Planet?
Dr. Jonathan Foley takes us into the field of experimental technological solutions for climate change, giving several examples of how biotechnology, recycling, and transportation innovations could help diminish carbon in the atmosphere. He also emphasizes that as exciting as these new technologies are, the work of combating climate change must not wait for the future.
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Kristen Bell + Giant Ant (Ted)
What is net-zero?
A brief answer to one of the key questions about climate change: What is net-zero, and how could we accomplish it?
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5 tech innovations that could save us from climate change
Stopping climate change will require more than just a drop in emissions. With this in mind, governments, billionaires and research institutions have started a fund to invest in technology-related solutions. This article presents five tech innovations that could be key to stopping climate change.
Read the article on this page or the original publication here >
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Vice News | HBO (2017)
This Farm in Mexico is Growing a Solution to Climate Change
In what ways could agriculture help reduce the carbon in the atmosphere? Ricardo Romero shows us his farm cooperative in Mexico, which uses a technique called ‘carbon farming.’ He describes how choosing certain plant species that absorb more carbon than others can be used to help the climate and create a self-sustaining system.
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TRT World (2018)
Bangladesh Floating School
How are places that are severely impacted by climate change adapting to their rapidly changing conditions? This news story takes us to Bangladesh, where increased flooding is being met with “floating schools” that allow local children continued access to education.
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Additional Resources and Alternative Perspectives
Interested to learn more about this week’s topic? We have selected some materials for you. These resources consist of introductory information, in-depth texts, case studies and challenging counter perspectives.
Introductions and Definitions
Relevant Research
Additional Contexts
Other Perspectives
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Week 2: Our climate story
Record-breaking temperatures mean we must change the way we talk about the climate emergency
With the unprecedented increase in temperatures around the world and the effects of climate change reaching new heights, how do we express our concern or the urgency for taking action? In this article, Kamyar Razavi tackles different approaches to communicating climate change. Read the article below or the original publication here >
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Al Jazeera English (2019)
Has the media narrative changed around climate change?
News outlets are still selling climate change stories short, and finding the right way to cover the relentless onslaught of information and data that is newsworthy remains their main challenge. Still, there are signs that things are changing.
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Green Peace International
True accounts from environmental activists and human rights advocates
This video compiles the testimonials of nine environmental and human rights advocates who attended the People’s Summit on Climate, Rights and Human Survival. They tell their personal climate stories, the effect climate change has had on their communities, and their beliefs. They also share their messages of support and inspiration to others.
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Sharing Perspectives Foundation
Interviewing Anna Pirani from the IPCC
You might’ve heard about them in the news, when an item about climate change mentions a specific report: the IPCC. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is part of the United Nations and tasked with assessing the science related to climate change. What does it look like when scientists collaborate to publish the IPCCs renowned reports?
In this weeks’ episode, our host Julie talks with Anna Pirani. Next to holding a Ph.D. in Oceanography, she is the head of Working Group I Technical Support Unit at the IPCC. As such, she was, for example, part of the creation of the special report ‘Global Warming of 1.5°C’ (2018, IPCC). What does her work with the IPCC look like and how did she get involved in this? And what role does she think scientists play in telling the past, present and future story of climate change?
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Additional Resources and Alternative Perspectives
Interested to learn more about this week’s topic? We have selected some materials for you. These resources consist of introductory information, in-depth texts, case studies and challenging counter perspectives.
Introductions and Definitions
Relevant Research
Additional Contexts
Other Perspectives
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Week 1: Setting the scene
Dr. François Gemenne, Dr. Caroline Zickgraf, Dr. Yvonne Su
Does climate change cause migration?
Why do people migrate? Does climate change have anything to do with it? In this video, experts Dr. Yvonne Su (York University), Dr. Caroline Zickgraf (Hugo Observatory, University of Liege) and Dr. François Gemenne (Hugo Observatory, University of Liege) share different drivers of migration and discuss how they connect to climate change. They explain why it can also sometimes be difficult to see the link between migration and climate change, even when climate is a significant factor for migration.
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Sky news
What Happens If The World Warms Up By 2°C?
In this video, Sky News outlines the severe consequences that the planet would face if the average temperature rises by 2°C. It shares the catastrophic effects this temperature change would have on the natural world and the human population and shares the changes that we will need to make in order to avoid this future.
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Greta Thunberg (United Nations, 2019)
Greta Thunberg (Young Climate Activist) at the Climate Action Summit 2019
What are the youth perspectives on the threat posed by climate change and the actions that have been taken to address it? In this speech to the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019, Greta Thunberg expresses outrage at adults in power who have placed the responsibility of solving climate change on young people and endangered their futures. She points to the inadequacy of the policies that have been put in place to address the problem and calls on world leaders to take appropriate action before it is too late.
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Chika Unigwe (The Guardian,2019)
It’s not just Greta Thunberg
Why are we ignoring the developing world’s inspiring activists?
Young people in the Global South have been tackling the climate crisis for years. They should be celebrated too! While the global media is focusing largely on Greta Thunberg as the face for youth environmental activism, many young activists from the Global South have been active way before Greta started. The work of those activists has not been covered widely by the global media, resulting in less acknowledgement of their role in fighting climate change. Read the .pdf below or the online article here >
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Additional Resources and Alternative Perspectives
Interested to learn more about this week’s topic? We have selected some materials for you. These resources consist of introductory information, in-depth texts, case studies and challenging counter perspectives.
Introductions and Definitions
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