How we Win! Summary of findings on successful climate justice campaigns in North America
This page is a work in progress! Stay tuned for more information :)
How we win was a 2023 research project supervised by Dr. Jen Gobby, and conducted by McGill students Cassandra Ciafro, Anna Henry, Frida Sofia Morales Mora, Thomas Nakasako, Dafne Ozcan, Nico Serreqi and Lea Vadez Reyes. It investigates the following question: What can be learned from the struggles and successes of intersectional climate campaigns across Turtle Island (North America) over the past 20 years, and what factors contribute to the success of these campaigns? This page includes a summary of some key findings in the report, plus key quotes from interviews and surveys with successful campaigners for more specific suggestions and knowledge.
To read the full report, see the following: How We Win! A Qualitative Review of Successful Climate Justice Campaigns in North America in the Last 20 Years
‘Success’ was defined as having achieved material gains, or advancements in physical, financial, legal, or electoral conditions. 14 successful intersectional climate justice campaigns from Mexico (1), the so-called United States (___), and so-called Canada (___) were explored to respond to the research question.
The researchers explain 4 key themes that emerged across several campaigns:
- Direct action: most commonly used to successfully overcome government opposition and police repression.
- Legal action and political pressure: most effective for procedural delays, reducing the economic viability of projects, and sometimes, for facilitating the recognition of Indigenous rights and sovereignty.
- Coalition building : both a strategy and a success, leading to new campaigns and/or activist groups, and providing more perspectives and knowledge.
- Community engagement: both a strategy and a success, fostering collaboration, strong community support and diverse campaigns that engage a wide variety of people.
The researchers concluded that:
A diversity of actors, strategies, and tactics contribute to the effectiveness of a successful intersectional campaign. Direct action, community engagement and building strong, large, and diverse coalitions seem to be the most effective strategies.