"Imagine electoral politics not just affected by the agenda-shifting caused by the radical flank, but materially-altered by the presence inside it of a growing ‘moderate’ flank." Rupert Read and Laura Baldwin explore the need for a ‘moderate flank’ in climate activism, as exemplified by the Greens Climate Activist Network (GreensCAN). 

Whereas there was a period at the start of the year where some ‘climate experts’ were criticising some of us for discussing how to prepare for or soften potential societal breakdown due to environmental strains, the return of rapid rises in carbon emissions after last year’s Covid stutter means that more scientists are beginning to consider the implications of a failure to meet climate targets. That painful reflection is still mostly done in private. With this book we are helping them explore what it could mean to prepare for failure.

For more than a generation of economic globalisation, to turn the old adage on its head, it seemed to many that “wealth is health”. In the bargain, as everything, including health, came seemingly to rest on the willing shoulders of money, huge fortunes were not only made but universally sought, in what has come to be called an “aspirational world”.

“…there’s a very real possibility that the latter part of the lives of most of you in this room will be grim or non-existent.”

It wasn’t exactly the Baz Luhrmann-style address many of the first year students starting their incredible adventure of a university education in 2016 were expecting.

Some laughed, nervously. Others looked confused. Some looked worried, as well they should.

Rupert Read and Joseph Eastoe consider the limits of Extinction Rebellion’s radical growth and outline why organisations with greater public appeal, capable of putting significant pressure on politicians, are now needed to capitalise on its success

Have you heard about the frogs who will doze till they die in water that is gradually heated up?

You probably have. One place you may have heard about it is as a metaphor for climate: are we going to be as lethargic as those frogs? Are we going to just let the Earth (and the oceans) heat up and heat up, til we’re fried?

The G7 group of rich countries’ leaders is meeting in Cornwall.

Why care what’s happening with some bigwigs at the other end of this country?

It’s true that, just as East Anglia is as far east as you can get in England, Cornwall is the furthest point west. But I figure it’s worth travelling all the way. Because this is the world come to England. Because this is the first time the G7 has been held here for 16 years. And because this is a year like no other…

“This then is the great humanistic and historical task of the oppressed - to liberate themselves and their oppressor as well. The oppressors who oppress, exploit and rape by virtue of their power, cannot find in this power the strength to liberate either the oppressed or themselves.  Only power that springs from the weakness of the oppressed will be sufficiently strong to free both.”   - Paulo Friere.

How can we resist the sixth mass extinction in our imaginations? What kind of cultural shift does it take? In this latest post for The Vanishing series, Rupert Read considers the future of human societies, following in the wake of whales.

What would one mean, and how do we achieve it?

For the last few years, and certainly for the readers of this newspaper, there has been little that matters more to this country than membership, or otherwise, of the EU.

But there is another issue of greater importance. Far greater importance: the global eco-emergency, of which the long climate emergency is only the most pressing part.