Climate Movements Spring 2022 - Weekly Resources

On this page, you will find the weekly resources* as part of  ‘Climate Movements’. Starting right before the first week of the virtual exchange, this page will be updated with new videos and materials for the following week’s sessions.

For the weekly topics, assignments and deadlines, review the COURSE MANUAL >

*Please note that the views presented in these resources are those of the individual speakers/authors and do not represent those of Sharing Perspectives Foundation.

Week 9: Brave new worlds

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.

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Week 8: Politics of un/sustainability

The Straits Times

From Paris to Glasgow: making sense of the climate jargon

On October 31 2021 Representatives from nearly 200 countries met in Glasgow, Scotland, to decide on a new global climate pact. This video explains the Paris Agreement, as well as COP and other climate jargon that is heard frequently during these events. 

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PBS, 2018

Rich vs. Poor: Who Should Pay To Fix Climate Change?

In the last few centuries, a small number of countries used fossil fuels to develop their economies. The gasses emitted by these economies have resulted in climate change. Now, however, the majority of gas emissions are coming from developing countries, who are trying to use them to develop just like the rich countries before them. Who, therefore, should be responsible for taking the lead in fixing climate change?

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CNBC, 2021

Degrowth: Is it time to live better with less?

This video introduces us to the degrowth movement, which disagrees with the idea that endless economic growth is always better, both for the climate and for people. Instead, it advocates for prioritizing social and ecological wellbeing and making big changes to reduce inequality. 

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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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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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United Nations

Start with these ten actions!

Want to start taking action? In this article, the UN presents ten things anyone can do to mitigate climate change.

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

 

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Week 6: ‘Climate refugees’ or 'climate migrants': whose 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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DW 2021

This is just how unfair climate change is

We’re all living through the climate crisis, but we’re not all in it together. So what exactly does climate change affect social injustice? How can we fix it? 

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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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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?

Read the article on this page or the original publication, including a short video, here >
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Mama Cash

Climate change hits women harder

Gender is not often a part of the conversation around climate change, but it’s an essential source of inequality regarding who is most affected.

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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

Watch Video

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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Middle East Eye, 2021

The Impact of Climate Change on the MENA Region

London School of Economics (LSE) Professor Dr. Michael Mason discusses the impact of climate change on the Middle East and North Africa. He states that ‘the severity of global warming is greater in MENA, which means there are habitability issues, declining water availability and lack of liveability.’

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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: The eleventh hour: 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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BBC 2021

How whales help cool the Earth

Whales have long been recognized for their importance to ocean ecosystems, but are not often considered important to combating climate change. This article explains how whales contribute significantly to carbon storage, and the effect that restoring whale populations could have on the climate.

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

Watch Video

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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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

Watch Video

Week 1: Setting the Scene

Citoyens pour le Climat (2019)

The IPCC 2018 report decrypted by CFC: A world with 2 °C of warming

This video, produced by Citizens For Climate (CPLC), deciphers and synthesizes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2018 report. Thousands of scientists around the world evaluated 9,200 scientific studies to identify and understand the causes and effects of global warming, and suggest possible strategies for adaptation and mitigation on a global scale.

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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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BBC (2021)

What is climate change? A really simple guide

In this article, the BBC presents a brief guide to understanding climate change. It shares the current impact of climate change on the natural world and human populations, the catastrophic effects that would be triggered if the world’s temperature continues to rise, and the changes that we will need to make in order to avoid this future. 

Read the article on this page or the original publication here >

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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

Watch Video