Climate group gains attention through direct action and White House engagement

In a notable shift within the climate activism landscape, the group Climate Defiance has rapidly gained prominence by employing peaceful yet confrontational tactics to challenge leaders and institutions on fossil fuel dependency.

Keerti Gopal reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • Climate Defiance, a new climate activism group, uses non-violent yet disruptive actions to confront influential figures and organizations over their fossil fuel ties.
  • The group has successfully engaged with high-level officials and influenced decisions, gaining notoriety and support rapidly.
  • Despite their confrontational approach, Climate Defiance has drawn attention and funding, challenging traditional activist norms and showing the effectiveness of direct action in climate advocacy.

Key quote:

“You’re burning my future."

— Michael Greenberg, co-founder, Climate Defiance

Why this matters:

Climate Defiance's approach underscores a growing impatience and urgency among activists, particularly young people, in addressing the climate crisis. Their success in drawing attention and influencing policy decisions reflects a significant shift in the dynamics of environmental activism, highlighting the potential of direct action in driving change. This matters for health outcomes as it directly challenges the status quo of fossil fuel reliance, aiming for more rapid and effective climate action.

Op-ed: On climate protests, the media misses the point.

A forest of dry trees with a dry field in the foreground

Western drought threatens water supply, boosts wildfire risk

Western communities face a dangerously dry summer as record heat melts snow, threatening drinking water and increasing wildfire risk.
A girl holding a bowl with easter chocolate in it

‘Easter eggflation’: How climate change and budget cuts have sent the price of chocolate soaring

Human-caused climate change has fueled extreme weather events in West Africa, triggering cocoa production to plummet.

A sign saying DO IT! and Don't Quit!

Opinion: As the oil majors retreat on climate promises, industry insiders ask whether to stay or go

“I had to decide if this was really a career I wanted to dedicate my life to. The obvious and unavoidable answer was no.”
A ski run with green bushes growing under it and mountains the background

In record heat, US ski resorts bulldoze snow, skiers wear bikinis

Unseasonably warm temperatures and record-low snowfall across the U.S. West are forcing ski resorts to close early, bulldoze snow onto runs and contend with dwindling visitors.

A view of a bucolic farm setting

How a tiny farm county fought a data center complex and won

Talen Energy wanted 800 acres of Pennsylvania farmland rezoned to develop the center with Amazon. The community fought it.
Solar panels juxtaposed against transmission lines and wind turbines
Credit: kckate16/ BigStock Photo ID: 478351339

Clean energy companies are trying to survive the Trump era

Offshore wind is out. Geothermal power is in. And many climate technology startups are looking for ways to carry on without federal backing.

Lines of morse code in red and black

To keep climate science alive, researchers are speaking in code

Words considered "woke" are vanishing from National Science Foundation proposals. Grist tracked the changes.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.