The author, an American University professor, discusses her new book “Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action” with Princeton University’s Miguel Centeno.
From the Publisher:
We’ve known for decades that climate change is an existential crisis. For just as long, we’ve seen the complete failure of our institutions to rise to the challenge. Governments have struggled to meet even modest goals. Fossil fuel interests maintain a stranglehold on political and economic power. Even though we have seen growing concern from everyday people, civil society has succeeded only in pressuring decision makers to adopt watered-down policies. All the while, the climate crisis worsens. Is there any hope of achieving the systemic change we need?
Dana R. Fisher argues that there is a realistic path forward for climate action — but only through mass mobilization that responds to the growing severity and frequency of disastrous events. She assesses the current state of affairs and shows why public policy and private-sector efforts have been ineffective. Spurred by this lack of progress, climate activism has become increasingly confrontational. Fisher examines the radical flank of the climate movement: its emergence and growth, its use of direct action, and how it might evolve as the climate crisis worsens. She considers when and how activism is most successful, identifying the importance of creating community, capitalizing on shocking moments, and cultivating resilience. Clear-eyed yet optimistic, “Saving Ourselves” offers timely insights on how social movements can take power back from deeply entrenched interests and open windows of opportunity for transformative climate action.
About the Speakers:
Dana R. Fisher is the director of the Center for Environment, Community, and Equity and a professor in the School of International Service at American University. Her books include “Activism Inc.: How the Outsourcing of Grassroots Campaigns Is Strangling Progressive Politics in America” (2006) and “American Resistance: From the Women’s March to the Blue Wave” (Columbia, 2019).
Miguel Centeno is Musgrave Professor of Sociology and Executive Vice-Dean of the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). He has published many articles, chapters and books. Some of his latest publications are “War and Society” (Polity 2016), “Global Capitalism” (Polity 2010), and “States in the Developing World” (Cambridge UP, 2017). He is also finishing a new book project on the sociology of discipline. In 2000, he founded the Princeton University Preparatory Program, which provides intensive supplemental training for lower income students in local high schools. From 2003 to 2007, he served as the founding Director of the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies. From 1997-2004 he also served as Head of Wilson College at Princeton. From 2012 to 2017 he served as Chair of the Sociology Department.
This event was recorded on February 15, 2024.