Quiet Activism in Climate Change

This chapter returns to questions around what it means to be an activist, or to “do activism” in the context of the climate emergency. Responding to climate change is a profound societal challenge and crisis that requires transformative change across society’s institutions and structures. Our interest is at the local scale where we argue international, national and state policies are translated into practices, and community mobilization, preparation and responses to the anticipated impacts of the climate crisis predominantly occur. Modest acts of care, connection and creativity can be collectively and politically significant. Through purposeful, collective commitment to socially innovative practices, local communities are forging new political pathways in response to the climate crisis. This we argue is the power and potential of quiet activism in climate change.