We Need a Climate Movement that Addresses the Trauma of Fighting for a Burning Planet
To build an impactful climate justice movement able to face the challenges ahead we must first build cultures that care for the people doing the work.
Collection
Waging Nonviolence
Waging Nonviolence is a nonprofit media organization dedicated to providing original reporting and expert analysis of social movements around the world. With a commitment to accuracy, transparency and editorial independence, we examine today’s most crucial issues by shining a light on those who are organizing for just and peaceful solutions.
Through on-the-ground movement coverage and commentary that draws on both history and the latest research, Waging Nonviolence works to advance the public’s understanding of movements and their key role in shaping politics. Our stories inspire readers to realize the powerful agency they possess.
There’s No Place for Burnout in a Burning World
Climate activists can start to build a stronger culture of care by taking burnout seriously and understanding its root causes.
How to Beat the ‘Fracking Frenzy: Lessons from the Campaign that ended Fracking in Ireland
The successful Irish anti-fracking struggle offers key insights on community power building for anti-extraction movements all over the world.
How Artistic Activism can move us Toward a Better Future
A new book called “The Art of Activism” provides a deep dive on the process, principles, history and practice of artistic activism.
Movements and leaders have seasons – it’s important to know which one you are in
Learning to attune to the cycles of our own leadership can help us know when to do the right thing at the right time.
Should fighting for democracy take priority over building powerful social movements?
Activists throughout history have put social movement work on hold for the electoral arena. Determining whether to do so is a matter of strategy and calling.
Should we disrupt the Democratic Party or try to take it over?
How movements settle the debate on whether to engage with political parties from the inside or outside will have a profound impact on their effectiveness.
Dilemma Actions: the power of putting your opponent in a bind
A study of 44 dilemma actions over the last 90 years examines the many benefits of creative protests for social movements.
How defeating Keystone XL built a bolder, savvier climate movement
From frontline battles to large national mobilizations, tar sands resistance developed new tactics and organizing strategies for the larger climate struggles ahead. This article was originally published on Waging Nonviolence. Keystone XL pipeline permit rescinded When President Biden rescinded a crucial permit for the Keystone XL pipeline last week (20 January 2021), it marked the culmination […]
The creativity fuelling the struggle to defund the police
Beautiful Trouble examines some of the principles showing up in the Black Lives Matter movement. Includes direct action, the power of ritual and joy, making the invisible visible, take risks but take care, and more.
Building intersectional resistance alliances during COVID-19
Despite the global challenges presented by coronavirus, activists can use this moment to strengthen solidarity between movements.
Beautiful Trouble’s Guide to Activism During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Beautiful Trouble principles and creative tactics for activism while the world goes through the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes tactics for building a sense of community and continuing to pressure people in power.
Coronavirus is a historic trigger event and it needs a movement to respond
Paul Engler makes the case for a mass movement in response to the coronavirus pandemic, demonstrated what people power has achieved in the past to make significant shifts.
How to un-do a ‘done deal’ with Strategy and Soul
Campaign insights from Daniel Hunter’s book Strategy and Soul about how to fight a battle people think is a ‘done deal’.
What the US can learn from Scandinavia in the struggle against inequality
In this interview, George Lakey explains what lessons can be learned from how movements in Scandinavia won and secured their egalitarian economic model.
Get real about privilege: Become an ally
Making change means that our allies need the confidence to play different roles at different times depending on our respective needs and on the common goal.
4 lessons for climate organizers from the anti-nuclear movement
The anti-nuclear movement succeeded because local and national organizers understood how individual campaigns generate momentum for the movement.
How to start a direct action group to make Martin Luther King proud
George Lakey shares a ‘recipe’ on what it takes to create a thriving direct action group – wisdom built up over many years from trial and error.
Why campaigns, not protests, get the goods
George Lakey says it’s time to retire one-off protests in favour of direct action campaigns to maximize the chance of winning victories.
Know your allies, your opponents and everyone in between: The Spectrum of Allies
The Spectrum of Allies – a campaign strategy tool developed by George Lakey & Martin Oppenheimer designed to determine allies, opponents and all those in between in a campaign.