How to Win a Green New Deal in Your State
By Ashley Dawson New York just became the first US state to pass a major Green New Deal policy. After four years of organizing, the Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA) is now in the New…
Environment
The Inflation Reduction Act Is an Invitation to Organizers
Kate Aronoff The Inflation Reduction Act would not have happened without the movement for a Green New Deal, but it shouldn’t be confused for one. The climate left (broadly defined) now faces a novel problem:…
‘Cop City’ and the Struggle for Climate Justice
By Stan Cox Along the South River, in the southwest corner of DeKalb County, Georgia, lies a forested area of about 300 acres that has been owned by the nearby City of Atlanta for over…
Recycling Plastic Makes Microplastics by the Ton
By James Bruggers Research out of Scotland suggests that the chopping, shredding and washing of plastic in recycling facilities may turn as much as six to 13 percent of incoming waste into microplastics—tiny, toxic particles…
Universal Public Services
Decommodifying survival By Jason Hickel One of the central insights emerging from research on degrowth and climate mitigation is that universal public services are crucial to a just and effective transition. Capitalism relies on maintaining…
“I Am an Optimistic Person”
Friederike Otto, the scientist who studies climate catastrophes By Sandra Laville Cycling over London Bridge as the dry heat pushed the temperature above 40C and a hot wind gusted down the River Thames, Friederike Otto…
US Transition to Electric Cars Threatens Environmental Havoc
By Nina Lakhani The US transition to electric vehicles could require three times as much lithium as is currently produced for the entire global market, causing needless water shortages, Indigenous land grabs, and ecosystem destruction…
The Carbon Footprints of the Rich
Dramatically unequal consumption at the heart of the climate crisis By Genevieve Guenther What can you do, as a single individual, to help halt global heating? Social science research suggests that one of the most…
Tax Private Jets of the Superrich
By Lloyd Alter Scientist and policy analyst Vaclav Smil taught us that energy is money—the universal currency. That’s one reason why rich people have such high carbon footprints: They have lots of money and converting…
Real Climate Action Is in a Thousand Rebellious Communities—Not COP27
Local struggles for climate action are needed more than ever, as a foundation for a national movement. Read the story at the City Lights website.