Introduction
Resources and research findings to help climate movements in the Global North counter far-right narratives and effectively communicate the link between climate change and affordability.
This research study examined far-right claims, and campaigns for justice in the Global North, related to the climate and affordability crises including:
- Common narratives that oppose climate action as being necessary for wellbeing
- Counter-narratives that support climate action
- Case studies of climate justice campaigns that demonstrate the power of collective action to address affordability and climate.
About the Research
The research findings available as a zine and in-depth report aimed to identify how climate organisers can effectively communicate the connection between climate change and affordability.
A critical discourse analysis was conducted to understand how oil and natural gas associations, banks, and politicians have used the cost of living crisis to argue against climate change and strategically pit affordability and climate goals against each other.
A literature review analyzed logical fallacies and factual faults within these narratives and gathered information to guide counternarratives.
The research focused on two targeted questions:
1. In the United States and Canada, between 2019 and 2024, how have politicians from the Conservative Party of Canada and the United States Republican Party, oil and natural gas associations, and banks funding fossil fuel infrastructure used the cost of living crisis to argue against climate change and strategically pit affordability and climate goals against each other?
- What narratives are being used?
- What are the logical and factual faults of these narratives?
- What counternarratives can be mounted against the logical and factual faults that have been identified?
2. What lessons can be learned from social movement campaigns that have taken place since 2019 across North America and Europe that link climate change and affordability?
The research was commissioned by the Global Grassroots Support Network (GGSN) and conducted by students from the University of McGill. They were supervised by Dr Jen Gobby and the report was edited by Mary Stuart.
The researchers were: Allysann Foehring, Caitlin Fass, Zoe Hamilton, Elise Coates, Veronica Verenini, Luciana Isasmendi Ramirez & Zhiwei Wu.
8 Case Studies
A case study analysis of eight social movement campaigns that linked climate change and affordability—conducted across North America and Europe since 2019—identified effective strategies, key challenges, and notable achievements.
The campaigns demonstrated the powerful intersection of climate action and affordability by addressing critical issues in many ways. Many campaigns have achieved significant milestones, including policy changes, public support, and alliances. The campaigns used a diversity tactics such as protests, social media outreach, partnerships, and innovative strategies like parody websites and art builds. These findings can help activists shape future campaigns and inspire their actions.
Despite challenges, many campaigns have achieved significant milestones and their successes highlight the potential for transformative impact through collective action, setting inspiring examples for future climate and affordability initiatives. pg 51, Report
The 8 case studies analysed were:
- Europe – Right to Energy Campaign
The Right to Energy campaign is led by a coalition that aims to address energy poverty across Europe. - United Kingdom – Warm This Winter
Warm This Winter, launched in 2022, is an active campaign in the United Kingdom. - United States – Green New Deal for Communities
The Sunrise Movement is a youth-led climate justice organization advocating for the Green New Deal. - United States – MaHousing Climate
MaHousing Climate, located in Massachusetts, was initiated in 2019 by the Housing and Environment Revenue Opportunities (HERO) Coalition. - United States – Housing Justice is Climate Justice
The Boston Climate Action Network (BCAN) is an organisation that works to advocate for climate justice and urge the City of Boston and other policymakers to take action regarding the climate emergency. - Canada – The Campaign Transports Collectifs
The Front Commun pour la Transition Énergétique (FCTÉ), established in 2015, promotes a just and equitable energy transition that integrates climate action with affordability and accessibility. - Canada – Make Them Pay
The Make Them Pay campaign, led by the grassroots movement Common Horizon, is a Canadian campaign that aims to address the challenges of climate change, economic inequality, and affordability. - Canada – Cap The Crap
The Cap the Crap campaign, established by 350 Canada, is a grassroots initiative aimed at exposing misinformation by the Alberta government.
Access Zine
Climate Change and the Affordability Crisis in the Global North – Zine (PDF 42 pgs)
Access Full Report
Explore Further
- Energy Poverty Handbook
- Framing Issues for Social Justice Impact: Directory of Messaging Guides
- We Need New Strategies to Respond to the Far Right
- Building a Social Mandate for Climate Action: A Playbook for Communicating Climate and Affordability, Real Climate
- Cost-of-Living and the Climate Crisis: How climate change inaction drove up the cost-of-living, The Australia Institute
- Changing Our Narrative About Narrative: The Infrastructure Required for Building Narrative Power
- Climate Activism: Start Here