Saving Ourselves

We’ve known for decades that climate change is an existential crisis. For just as long, we’ve seen the complete failure of our institutions to rise to the challenge. Governments have struggled to meet even modest goals. Fossil fuel interests maintain a stranglehold on political and economic power. Even though we have seen growing concern from everyday people, civil society has succeeded only in pressuring decision makers to adopt watered-down policies. All the while, the climate crisis worsens. Is there any hope of achieving the systemic change we need?

Dana R. Fisher argues that there is a realistic path forward for climate action―but only through mass mobilization that responds to the growing severity and frequency of disastrous events. She assesses the current state of affairs and shows why public policy and private-sector efforts have been ineffective. Spurred by this lack of progress, climate activism has become increasingly confrontational. Fisher examines the radical flank of the climate movement: its emergence and growth, its use of direct action, and how it might evolve as the climate crisis worsens. She considers when and how activism is most successful, identifying the importance of creating community, capitalizing on shocking moments, and cultivating resilience. Clear-eyed yet optimistic, Saving Ourselves offers timely insights on how social movements can take power back from deeply entrenched interests and open windows of opportunity for transformative climate action.

Dana R. Fisher

Dana R. Fisher an emeritus member of the UMD Sociology faculty. She is the Director of the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity (CECE) and a Professor in the School of International Service at American University. Her research focuses on questions related to democracy, civic engagement, activism, environmental stewardship and climate politics — most recently studying political elites’ responses to climate change, how federal service corps programs are working to integrate climate into their efforts, and activism around climate, systemic racism, and the American Resistance.

Professor Fisher has authored over seventy-five research papers and book chapters and has written six books. Her seventh book is Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action.

Matthew Winning

Dr Matt Winning is a London-based Scottish comedian and environmental researcher who performs live climate change comedy and author of the book Hot Mess: What on Earth can we do about Climate Change?

A live comedy show of HOT MESS was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and on tour around the UK in 2022. This followed on the back of sold out runs of his third, fourth and fifth solo shows Filibuster, Climate Strange and It’s The End Of The World As We Know It at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. All of which were built as comedy lectures about climate change and received considerable critical acclaim.