Climate change movements in the Global North

Abstract

The climate change movement in the Global North developed after years of scientific evidence accumulated on the topic. Even in those early years, however, it was members of environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) who ensured that policymakers would begin to act. As politicians around the globe became interested in addressing the problem, ENGOs and activists worked to push their national delegations to increase their commitments to reduce emissions. This was particularly true during the COPs, which also featured protests outside the conventions by those who demanded more action and those calling for climate justice. Climate justice was a call by the Global South and solidarity activists for equity, sustainability, and development in any policies as the international consensus around managing climate change included what climate justice activists called “false solutions” – policies that benefit corporations and do little to reduce the extraction of fossil fuels. Therefore, climate justice activists became increasingly hostile toward the COPs, which resulted in increased mobilization and non-violent civil disobedience. In addition to international campaigning, local and national activists mobilized their efforts to impact community and policy changes. This chapter explores some of those campaigns.