Holding a tension: grassroots and global activism

by nathan thanki In my previous post I alluded to some exchanges of ideas in Lofoten at the Young Friends of the Earth Europe camp. All of last week, including during both 25 hour train, bus, and boat journeys, we’ve been attempting to initiate and contribute to frank discussions on the perceived divide between "international" and "grassroots" activism.   Now it is clear that those of us...

Collaborating for Climate Justice: Lofoten camp

by nathan thanki Hello from the top of the world. This week the beautiful Lofoten islands have hosted not only our team of six from Earth in Brackets, but also the annual Young Friends of the Earth Europe camp of 100 inspiring and inspired young activists from Russia, Canada, Nigeria and all over Europe, as well as Natur og Ungdom's 300 strong summer camp for Norway activists. We are here to send...

Lofoten Summer Camp: Looking Ahead

In just one month from now, an Earth in Brackets contingent will join other youth activists from Canada, Nigeria, and all across Europe in Lofoton, Norway, for Young Friends of the Earth Europe's (YFoEE) annual summer camp. The six of us just wanted to add our voices to the chorus of excitement already building ahead of July's gathering. The location is clearly important: the Lofoten islands are...

What to do When Hope is Slim: A Sentimental Affirmation of the Equity Bottom Line

by Anjali Appadurai What do you do when you finally realize the true, terrible scope of an issue you have been optimistic about for years? It's the difference between reading the word "genocide" and finally comprehending it. It's that moment when your stomach drops with a dull thud as the truth hits you and swallows you whole.         Climate change is no...

The kids are not alright: Frustration grows as the UNFCCC fails to actually address climate change

by Graham Reeder In 1992, the world’s governments came together in Rio and agreed to a framework convention with the straightforward objective of achieving “the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.” This was to be achieved “within a time frame sufficient...