Day 4: A People’s Climate Agenda

Over the past several decades, it has become increasingly clear that our grow-or-die, extractive economy is a root cause of the climate crisis.

While our political leaders delay taking meaningful action on climate, people’s movements have sprung up around the world. Many have promoted community-led solutions and rallied around demands for climate justice, based on the understanding that climate change is disproportionately caused by elites and disproportionately threatens those of us who are already economically vulnerable.

On this day we ask,  “What are the policies, campaigns, and grassroots initiatives that can address the magnitude of the climate crisis while building shared prosperity?”

Today, and each day this week, we will be featuring original content across the internet by NEC members and allies. See below for a breakdown of what you can expect to see today, including a live YouTube discussion on democratizing renewable energy!

#NewEconomyWeek #ClimateJustice


#NewEconomyWeek Online Panels — register and watch for free!

2:30PM EST / 11:30AM PST
What is Energy Democracy and Why Does It Matter?
Presented by NEC, The Next System Project, and the Energy Democracy Project

The panel discussion will focus on strategies to advance community-based energy that intersect with the broader movement toward resilient communities and a regenerative economy. Our panelists will discuss how issues such as land use, food justice, housing, public safety, and clean energy jobs are critical to the fight for energy democracy.


A few of today’s #NewEconomyWeek stories

"3 Ways the TPP Will Hurt the Climate—If We Let It Pass" by Ben Lilliston (YES! Magazine)

"Energy Democracy: Inside Californians' Game-Changing Plan for Community-Owned Power" by Al Weinrub of the Local Clean Energy Alliance (YES! Magazine)

"How Distributed Solar Can Help Renewable Energy Grow" by Ben Delman of the Community Power Network

"Powering a New Economy: Reclaiming Rural Electric Co-ops" by Jake Schlachter of We Own It

"An Interview with Avi Lewis, director of 'This Changes Everything: Capitalism Vs. The Climate'" brought to you by Beautiful Solutions and the New Economy Coalition

"Cattle and Kelp: Agriculture in a New Economy" by the Schumacher Center for a New Economics

"Organizing for a Just Transition in Washington State" an interview of Jill Mangaliman and Rosalinda Guillen by Deric Gruen (The Leap)

"How To Re-invest Fossil Fuel Money To Repair The Damage" by Marnie Thompson of the Fund for Democratic Communities (The Leap)

"Why Free Higher Ed Can’t Wait" by Biola Jeje of New York Students Rising and Belinda Rodriguez of United States Student Association (Dollars & Sense)

"Bringing People to the Power" by Aaron Bartley of PUSH Buffalo (Huffington Post)

"Will the Paris Climate Talks Deliver the World We Need? Not likely." by Janet Redman of the Institute for Policy Studies (Foreign Policy in Focus)


“This Changes Everything” Screenings

This Changes Everything is an epic attempt to re-imagine the vast challenge of climate change. Directed by Avi Lewis, and inspired by Naomi Klein’s international non-fiction bestseller This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate, the film presents seven powerful portraits of communities on the front lines, from Montana’s Powder River Basin to the Alberta Tar Sands, from the coast of South India to Beijing and beyond.

Throughout the film, Klein builds to her most controversial and exciting idea: that we can seize the existential crisis of climate change to transform our failed economic system into something radically better.

There will be free screenings of “This Changes Everything” tonight in Oakland, CA, Worcester, MA, Buffalo, NY, Claremont, CA, Brunswick, ME and Whitesburg, KY.


Some #NewEconomyWeek events to check out

Binghampton, NYMake REV R.E.A.L Workshop, Join the NYS Energy Democracy Alliance and Binghampton Regional Sustainability Coalition and get prepared to testify at the upcoming REV (Reforming the Energy Vision) hearings which can change the way utility companies are regulated in New York, determine who can own the state’s energy resources, and determine how energy markets will be structured.

Toronto, ON: Social Finance Forum 2015. The 8th annual Social Finance Forum is the place to engage and profile leaders in Canada’s diverse social finance scene and to capture advancements from the world stage. The emphasis this year will be on a fresh design that emphasizes networking and relationship building.

OnlineCare = Prosperity: The Caring Economy Starter Course The Starter Course connects the dots between care and prosperity and shows how you can join the Caring Economy Campaign and be part of a vital caring movement.

Visit www.neweconomyweek.org/events for the full list of events planned by NEC members and allies!