Not sure what to do about the climate crisis? Community action is essential, says the Climate Majority Project.
“When people ask me: ‘What can I do as an individual for the climate?’ “Don’t be an individual, work with others,” says Rupert Reid, co-director of the Climate Multiplicity Project.
Statistics show that the vast majority of European citizens care about the climate crisis: more than half of European voters think it should be a priority, while only 16% consider it a secondary issue. annual European elections.
The problem is, most of us don’t know what to do about it.
After decades of climate action – from political strategist on the Extinction Rebellion to adviser to the Green Party of England and Wales – Rupert now focuses exclusively on the Climate Majority Project.
He has made it his mission to mobilize the silent masses: “It’s a bit like a war effort…it’s for everyone,” he says.
How can we fight the climate crisis together?
“Sometimes people get discouraged because ‘I’m not determined enough’ or ‘I’m not naive enough’ – but you don’t need climate protests or flight cancellations to make an impact,” says Rupert.
Individual actions are “only a small piece of the puzzle. . . . What we do together is more important.” »
Whether it’s monitoring flood risks with your neighbours, re-engaging with people from your place of worship or using your professional skills and network, collective action has the power to make a difference, says Rupert.
“After using all these enough, the idea is to make a difference nationally and internationally. »
Ultimately, he says, it’s up to governments to help us make greener choices by, for example, encouraging green modes of transportation and cutting back on air travel.
But for this to happen, the silent majority must find their voice.
“We want to create a future where governments try to do the right thing, where politicians try to adopt stronger climate and nature policies,” says Rupert.
“There is no way out except to appeal to the majority of citizens… We must act together. And part of that is putting pressure on governments collectively to make the right decisions. »
Meanwhile, community climate action brings its own benefits.
“When you build community together, when you prepare for disasters together, when you grow food together, when you build more local resilience, you create a better life,” says Rupert.
“Companies must comply with climate regulations”
Business leaders also have a key role because they wield enormous power over government, particularly through trade associations and lobbying.
“Until now, commercial and financial interests have prevented us from doing the right thing. They looked for regulatory loopholes and said, “Don’t burden us too much,”’ says Rupert.
However, many are beginning to realize that “there is no profit on a dying planet.”
Rupert says this has led to increased environmental standards, disclosure and accountability – but individual measures are still not enough.
He envisions a future where corporations use their collective power for good: “Instead of pushing for lower taxes and tax loopholes, imagine if corporations lobbied together and asked governments to regulate them on climate and nature… That’s a real game changer. would be »
This will prevent “good actors” advocating for higher environmental standards from being undermined by “bad actors” – and this is the main message of Climate’s Let’s Regulate Ourselves Better campaign.
It will also create new opportunities for business owners.
“There are a lot of wins and side benefits here,” says Rupert. “Jobs in repair, public transportation, green energy, for example – all of these areas represent huge opportunities that require investment, and those investments will be profitable,” he adds, highlighting the economic benefits that Biden’s deflationary law will bring through the United States.
Is it too late to avoid the worst effects of climate change?
The key to all of this is being honest about where we are when it comes to climate and natural emergencies.
Whether well-intentioned or with a hidden agenda, “many influential people, including politicians and business people… have insisted that we can and will stay below 1.5 degrees (of global warming). says Rupert.
“And that doesn’t help at all, because it’s denying reality. This is something that climate skeptics condemn. »
The UN Paris Agreement, signed by countries around the world in 2015, aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels – the threshold considered a safe zone for avoiding the worst effects of climate change.
But June 2024 marked the 12th consecutive month that global temperatures exceeded that limit, raising concerns that it may not be sustainable in the long term.
“Accepting the moment we leave this safe zone is an extremely powerful thing for humanity,” says Rupert.
“Achieving this goal is very difficult, but emotions have a power that we must use: the power of sadness, the power of fear, the power of anger, the power of nightmares. »
Facing this reality, he says, can energize us to seriously prepare for what lies ahead, adapt strategically, build resilience and provide resources to those most affected in the Global South, including funding losses and damages.
Through its incubator, the Climate Majority Project provides funding and expertise to citizen climate initiatives. Visit the site to take action and learn about upcoming meetings on adaptation and climate resilience.