Fabian Dablander, energy transition researcher and activist, discusses the strategy of becoming ungovernable at scale. They explore nonviolence vs sabotage, power dynamics in negotiations, and the tipping points of social change. They also highlight the impact of fossil fuels and the need for strategic actions to address the earth system breakdown.
To address the global crisis, it is necessary to shift to emergency mode, end fossil fuels, and seek transformative solutions like renewable energy, citizens' assemblies, and collective action.
Efforts to compel those in power to act should be centered on large-scale mobilization and civil resistance, including creating dilemmas, engaging in civil disobedience, and pushing for policy changes like ending fossil fuel subsidies.
Despite the immense challenges of the climate crisis, finding hope, meaning, and happiness through collective action and struggle, recognizing individual responsibility, and focusing on tangible solutions like ending fossil fuel subsidies can contribute to positive change.
Deep dives
The urgency and scale of the crisis
The world is facing a crisis rooted in the power of fossil fuel companies and larger corporations that protect the status quo. It is a power struggle that requires society-wide mobilization and the biggest social movement in history. The current economic system based on profit and perpetual growth has led to earth system breakdown, including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and more. The economic system has unduly influenced decision-making processes, while needs and wants driven by unsustainable materialism contribute to the crisis. To address the crisis, it is necessary to shift to emergency mode, end fossil fuels and industrial agriculture, and seek transformative solutions like renewable energy, citizens' assemblies, and collective action.
Complexity, disbelief, and changing tactics
The complexity of the global system makes it difficult to understand and change. Fossil fuel reliance, government connections, media bias, and the lack of a democratic mandate hinder progress. Changing tactics may be necessary, but requires careful consideration and diversity of action. It is important for the climate movement to be honest about the challenges and the need for greater mobilization. Awareness and resilience-building within communities can help address the crisis, while acknowledging the urgency and the need to end the current system's power dynamics.
Compelling power to act and questioning future strategies
Efforts to compel those in power to act should be centered on large-scale mobilization and civil resistance. This can involve creating dilemmas, engaging in civil disobedience, and pushing for policy changes like ending fossil fuel subsidies. However, acknowledging the media's bias and limitations, as well as the lack of democratic control over fossil fuel companies, leads to questions about the effectiveness of certain strategies. Consideration of alternative approaches and the empowerment of working people can help build resilience and bring about change. Collaboration and diversity of action are crucial for the climate movement's success.
Maintaining hope, meaning, and happiness through action
Despite the immense challenges and suffering caused by the climate crisis, it is important to find hope, meaning, and happiness through collective action and struggle. Recognizing the responsibility and agency individuals have in this generational project is key. Building resilience, mobilizing more people, and focusing on tangible solutions like ending fossil fuel subsidies can contribute to positive change. Though the global system's complexity and vested interests make the struggle difficult, there is still a possibility to shift the course and shape a better future.
Platform recommendation: Jen Luki
Jen Luki, who traveled to Papua New Guinea to research the impact of climate change on local communities, has shown great courage and commitment to challenging business-as-usual practices. His experience and insights can shed light on the urgent need for change, the realities faced by vulnerable communities, and the importance of individual actions in driving collective transformation.
But with the systems of power so effectively tied up in the complex system of unelected officials, hidden relationships and the ownership of natural resources, there seems to be no clear strategy for taking power back. One theory of change is putting pressure on the system until it caves—becoming ungovernable at scale.
Fabian Dablander, an energy transition researcher at the University of Amsterdam, and a member of the activist group Scientist Rebellion joins me to discuss that strategy: Is it possible? How do we do it? We also discuss nonviolence vs sabotage, hope and denial, and the tipping points of social change. We then confront power: Where does power lie? How much is power willing to give up? And should we recognise that power is not willing to come to the table to negotiate?