Wen Stephenson
@learning2live.bsky.social
Journalist, essayist, activist. Climate justice correspondent @TheNation.com. Contributor, @TheBaffler.com etc.
New book, LEARNING TO LIVE IN THE DARK: Essays in a Time of Catastrophe https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2523-learning-to-live-in-the-dark
New book, LEARNING TO LIVE IN THE DARK: Essays in a Time of Catastrophe https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2523-learning-to-live-in-the-dark
Yes, it would be so much easier to declare defeat. But the climate fight is far from over.
My latest for @thenation.com opens with the 2025 "state of the climate report" by a team of top scientists - incl @michaelemann.bsky.social - then gets personal & political.
www.thenation.com/article/envi...
My latest for @thenation.com opens with the 2025 "state of the climate report" by a team of top scientists - incl @michaelemann.bsky.social - then gets personal & political.
www.thenation.com/article/envi...
There’s No Quitting the Climate Fight
This is the worst-ever year for climate politics—but the struggle is far from over.
www.thenation.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Yes, it would be so much easier to declare defeat. But the climate fight is far from over.
My latest for @thenation.com opens with the 2025 "state of the climate report" by a team of top scientists - incl @michaelemann.bsky.social - then gets personal & political.
www.thenation.com/article/envi...
My latest for @thenation.com opens with the 2025 "state of the climate report" by a team of top scientists - incl @michaelemann.bsky.social - then gets personal & political.
www.thenation.com/article/envi...
Update from @desmog.com:
Bill Gates Gave $3.5M to Think Tank Run by Climate Crisis Denier Bjorn Lomborg
www.desmog.com/2025/11/05/b...
Bill Gates Gave $3.5M to Think Tank Run by Climate Crisis Denier Bjorn Lomborg
www.desmog.com/2025/11/05/b...
November 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Update from @desmog.com:
Bill Gates Gave $3.5M to Think Tank Run by Climate Crisis Denier Bjorn Lomborg
www.desmog.com/2025/11/05/b...
Bill Gates Gave $3.5M to Think Tank Run by Climate Crisis Denier Bjorn Lomborg
www.desmog.com/2025/11/05/b...
"...weighing leaving against staying, moral obligation against fear, flying under the radar against taking a risk — and opting for the risk." M. Gessen
A necessary piece. For all of us.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
A necessary piece. For all of us.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
Opinion | How to Be a Good Citizen of a Bad Country
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
"...weighing leaving against staying, moral obligation against fear, flying under the radar against taking a risk — and opting for the risk." M. Gessen
A necessary piece. For all of us.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
A necessary piece. For all of us.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
I'm sure I'm not the first to notice this, but it's kinda ironic that Bill Gates' "memo" telling us to tamp down the climate "alarmism" and refocus on "human welfare" rather than fossil fuel emissions landed on the same day as this latest Lancet study.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rising heat kills one person a minute worldwide, major report reveals
Biggest analysis of its kind finds millions are dying each year from combined effects of failure to tackle climate crisis
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I'm sure I'm not the first to notice this, but it's kinda ironic that Bill Gates' "memo" telling us to tamp down the climate "alarmism" and refocus on "human welfare" rather than fossil fuel emissions landed on the same day as this latest Lancet study.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
I wonder how many support "climate action" at the speed and scale required, rather than false/inadequate solutions.
How many would support nationalizing fossil fuel co's and phasing them out of existence as renewables scale up? How many support trillions in climate finance to the global south?
How many would support nationalizing fossil fuel co's and phasing them out of existence as renewables scale up? How many support trillions in climate finance to the global south?
Some of the biggest news organizations in the world, and some of the smallest and scrappiest, will be participating. If you have questions or want to talk with a member of CCNow's team about how to get involved, DM us here! You can also read the FAQ at the official 89percent.org website.
Frequently Asked Questions - The 89 Percent Project
What is The 89 Percent Project? The 89 Percent Project is a year-long global media collaboration aimed at highlighting the fact that the vast majority of people in the world care about climate change…
89percent.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I wonder how many support "climate action" at the speed and scale required, rather than false/inadequate solutions.
How many would support nationalizing fossil fuel co's and phasing them out of existence as renewables scale up? How many support trillions in climate finance to the global south?
How many would support nationalizing fossil fuel co's and phasing them out of existence as renewables scale up? How many support trillions in climate finance to the global south?
It's rare that an interviewer connects with one's work the way Adam Lowenstein does here with my new book. Huge thanks to Adam and to @amywestervelt.bsky.social
Yes, we talk about despair. That's where it starts, but not where it ends.
@drilledmedia.bsky.social
drilled.media/news/wen-QA
Yes, we talk about despair. That's where it starts, but not where it ends.
@drilledmedia.bsky.social
drilled.media/news/wen-QA
What Should You Do with Climate Despair?
Activist and journalist Wen Stephenson has some ideas about ‘Learning to Live in the Dark’.
drilled.media
October 14, 2025 at 2:15 PM
It's rare that an interviewer connects with one's work the way Adam Lowenstein does here with my new book. Huge thanks to Adam and to @amywestervelt.bsky.social
Yes, we talk about despair. That's where it starts, but not where it ends.
@drilledmedia.bsky.social
drilled.media/news/wen-QA
Yes, we talk about despair. That's where it starts, but not where it ends.
@drilledmedia.bsky.social
drilled.media/news/wen-QA
Tens of thousands marched through Midtown Manhattan and the local paper of record appears to have ignored it. Way to go, @nytimes.com
Organizers say 25,000 marched in Midtown Manhattan today to #MakeBillionairesPay
September 23, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Tens of thousands marched through Midtown Manhattan and the local paper of record appears to have ignored it. Way to go, @nytimes.com
Organizers say 25,000 marched in Midtown Manhattan today to #MakeBillionairesPay
September 21, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Organizers say 25,000 marched in Midtown Manhattan today to #MakeBillionairesPay
By the way, that's Kathmandu at sunrise in my profile pic.
September 17, 2025 at 4:05 PM
By the way, that's Kathmandu at sunrise in my profile pic.
My conversation with Jane Hirshfield yesterday got very real. Thanks so much to Jane, and to everyone at @haymarketbooks.org for making it possible, especially John McDonald. The recording is available below on Haymarket's YouTube channel.
Take good care, everyone. 🙏🏻
Take good care, everyone. 🙏🏻
LIVE NOW!
Learning to Live in the Dark
Join @learning2live.bsky.social of @thenation.com and Jane Hirshfield for a conversation on faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in the face of fascism and climate catastrophe.
Stream here:
Learning to Live in the Dark
Join @learning2live.bsky.social of @thenation.com and Jane Hirshfield for a conversation on faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in the face of fascism and climate catastrophe.
Stream here:
Learning to Live in the Dark: Virtual Book Talk
Join Wen Stephenson and Jane Hirshfield for a conversation on faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in the face of fascism and climate…
www.youtube.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
My conversation with Jane Hirshfield yesterday got very real. Thanks so much to Jane, and to everyone at @haymarketbooks.org for making it possible, especially John McDonald. The recording is available below on Haymarket's YouTube channel.
Take good care, everyone. 🙏🏻
Take good care, everyone. 🙏🏻
My latest for @thenation.com is an interview with veteran Nepali journalist Kunda Dixit about the stunning turn of events there in the past week. Did Nepal just have a revolution?
www.thenation.com/article/worl...
www.thenation.com/article/worl...
Did Nepal Just Have a Revolution?
Kunda Dixit, one of Nepal’s top journalists, talks about the stunning turn of events in the South Asian nation and how its society reached the boiling point.
www.thenation.com
September 16, 2025 at 6:48 PM
My latest for @thenation.com is an interview with veteran Nepali journalist Kunda Dixit about the stunning turn of events there in the past week. Did Nepal just have a revolution?
www.thenation.com/article/worl...
www.thenation.com/article/worl...
I profiled the great poet & eco-advocate Jane Hirshfield in a feature for @thenation.com, now included in my book Learning to Live in the Dark.
Tomorrow, 9/16, at 5pm ET, Jane joins me in conversation about "faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in a time of catastrophe." RSVP below...
Tomorrow, 9/16, at 5pm ET, Jane joins me in conversation about "faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in a time of catastrophe." RSVP below...
Learning to Live in the Dark
Join @learning2live.bsky.social of @thenation.com
and Jane Hirshfield for a conversation on faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in the face of fascism and climate catastrophe.
Tuesday, September 16th at 5 PM ET
RSVP to attend:
www.tickettailor.com/events/hayma...
Join @learning2live.bsky.social of @thenation.com
and Jane Hirshfield for a conversation on faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in the face of fascism and climate catastrophe.
Tuesday, September 16th at 5 PM ET
RSVP to attend:
www.tickettailor.com/events/hayma...
September 15, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I profiled the great poet & eco-advocate Jane Hirshfield in a feature for @thenation.com, now included in my book Learning to Live in the Dark.
Tomorrow, 9/16, at 5pm ET, Jane joins me in conversation about "faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in a time of catastrophe." RSVP below...
Tomorrow, 9/16, at 5pm ET, Jane joins me in conversation about "faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in a time of catastrophe." RSVP below...
This is good, and needs to be said. I'm glad they published it. (though it may be time to reconsider the name of the magazine).
The assassination of Charlie Kirk threatens to embolden the far right and provide Donald Trump with a pretext for crushing dissent. Escalating political violence corrodes democratic norms and poses a unique threat to the Left.
Charlie Kirk’s Murder Is a Tragedy and a Disaster
The assassination of Charlie Kirk threatens to embolden the far right and provide Donald Trump with a pretext for crushing dissent. Escalating political violence corrodes democratic norms and poses a unique threat to the Left.
jacobin.com
September 11, 2025 at 5:25 PM
This is good, and needs to be said. I'm glad they published it. (though it may be time to reconsider the name of the magazine).
Reposted by Wen Stephenson
Learning to Live in the Dark
Join @learning2live.bsky.social of @thenation.com
and Jane Hirshfield for a conversation on faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in the face of fascism and climate catastrophe.
Tuesday, September 16th at 5 PM ET
RSVP to attend:
www.tickettailor.com/events/hayma...
Join @learning2live.bsky.social of @thenation.com
and Jane Hirshfield for a conversation on faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in the face of fascism and climate catastrophe.
Tuesday, September 16th at 5 PM ET
RSVP to attend:
www.tickettailor.com/events/hayma...
September 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Learning to Live in the Dark
Join @learning2live.bsky.social of @thenation.com
and Jane Hirshfield for a conversation on faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in the face of fascism and climate catastrophe.
Tuesday, September 16th at 5 PM ET
RSVP to attend:
www.tickettailor.com/events/hayma...
Join @learning2live.bsky.social of @thenation.com
and Jane Hirshfield for a conversation on faith, humanism, and radical solidarity in the face of fascism and climate catastrophe.
Tuesday, September 16th at 5 PM ET
RSVP to attend:
www.tickettailor.com/events/hayma...
Welcome to fossil fascism.
What people don't yet understand — what I am just coming to understand — is that Trump is not acting irrationally on climate & energy to "own the libs."
Trump (and the GOP) are protecting the trillions of assets held by their fossil-fuel cronies, which would be utterly devalued if we decarbonized.
Trump (and the GOP) are protecting the trillions of assets held by their fossil-fuel cronies, which would be utterly devalued if we decarbonized.
Because destroying the US is not enough, Trump is using tariffs, visa restrictions, and trade deals to pressure other countries to abandon climate goals and increase fossil fuel use, further destroying the world and the future.
August 28, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Welcome to fossil fascism.
I had a deep and wide-ranging conversation with XR Radio @xrglobal.bsky.social about climate + fascism and my book Learning to Live in Dark: Essays in a Time of Catastrophe (@haymarketbooks.org). Big thanks to hosts Matthew Kearney & Alycee Lane.
www.spreaker.com/episode/lear...
www.spreaker.com/episode/lear...
Learning to Live in the Dark with Wen Stephenson - Extinction Rebellion Radio
www.spreaker.com
August 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I had a deep and wide-ranging conversation with XR Radio @xrglobal.bsky.social about climate + fascism and my book Learning to Live in Dark: Essays in a Time of Catastrophe (@haymarketbooks.org). Big thanks to hosts Matthew Kearney & Alycee Lane.
www.spreaker.com/episode/lear...
www.spreaker.com/episode/lear...
First, stop thinking like a "climate movement."
Making Hope: Climate Action for Dark Times (17 Sept – 12 Nov 2025)
How can we transform the climate movement into one that fights fascism AND ensures a livable planet? Guest speakers include Bill McKibben, Amy Westervelt, James Renwick, Ketan Joshi, and more!
Register here: makinghope.lilregie.com
How can we transform the climate movement into one that fights fascism AND ensures a livable planet? Guest speakers include Bill McKibben, Amy Westervelt, James Renwick, Ketan Joshi, and more!
Register here: makinghope.lilregie.com
August 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM
First, stop thinking like a "climate movement."
Reposted by Wen Stephenson
wondered for years if there's literally anything that could happen that could dislodge some people's weird personal resentments from the center of their political analysis. pretty sure the answer is no. some people's diaries from the camps will be about what nouns other leftists should've used most
August 15, 2025 at 12:36 PM
wondered for years if there's literally anything that could happen that could dislodge some people's weird personal resentments from the center of their political analysis. pretty sure the answer is no. some people's diaries from the camps will be about what nouns other leftists should've used most
Reposted by Wen Stephenson
I thought the whole point of UChicago's whole right-wing friendly "free speech university" schtick was that it would keep them from being attacked by Republican administrations the way the Ivies are. Turns out it doesn't matter. www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
UChicago Freezing Ph.D. Admissions for Multiple Programs
The indebted institution tasked committees of faculty and staff with planning for changes. But this week, a dean forged ahead and announced broad cuts. Two other units are also pausing admissions.
www.insidehighered.com
August 15, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I thought the whole point of UChicago's whole right-wing friendly "free speech university" schtick was that it would keep them from being attacked by Republican administrations the way the Ivies are. Turns out it doesn't matter. www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
Reposted by Wen Stephenson
Armed federal officers dressed for war in neck gaiters showing up to the press conference of a political opponent. This is America under Trump. You either resist it, or you lose your nation.
Armed Trump administration agents wearing masks just showed up outside of Gavin Newsom’s press conference.
This is what rising fascism looks like.
This is what rising fascism looks like.
August 14, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Armed federal officers dressed for war in neck gaiters showing up to the press conference of a political opponent. This is America under Trump. You either resist it, or you lose your nation.
Reposted by Wen Stephenson
Wells Fargo has done more to advance Trump’s agenda than any other Wall Street bank.
This week, we're holding them accountable during our national day of action.
Find an event: stmp.link/aug15dayofac...
Read this piece in @commondreams.org:
www.commondreams.org/opinion/hold...
This week, we're holding them accountable during our national day of action.
Find an event: stmp.link/aug15dayofac...
Read this piece in @commondreams.org:
www.commondreams.org/opinion/hold...
We’re Going After Wells Fargo—Here’s Why | Common Dreams
On August 15, we’re planning a nationwide day of actions at Wells Fargo’s headquarters, corporate offices, and branches across the country, to make it clear that the bank cannot bend the knee to Trump...
www.commondreams.org
August 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Wells Fargo has done more to advance Trump’s agenda than any other Wall Street bank.
This week, we're holding them accountable during our national day of action.
Find an event: stmp.link/aug15dayofac...
Read this piece in @commondreams.org:
www.commondreams.org/opinion/hold...
This week, we're holding them accountable during our national day of action.
Find an event: stmp.link/aug15dayofac...
Read this piece in @commondreams.org:
www.commondreams.org/opinion/hold...
Reposted by Wen Stephenson
No showers, sleeping on concrete floors: The “squalid” conditions for immigrants in NYC
No showers, sleeping on concrete floors: The “squalid” conditions for immigrants in NYC
Detainees at 26 Federal Plaza are being denied access to attorneys, medication, hygiene products, and adequate food, according to a legal filing.
www.motherjones.com
August 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
No showers, sleeping on concrete floors: The “squalid” conditions for immigrants in NYC
Comrades of mine in NYC were part of this. Wish I'd been there. We need more of this kind of righteous action. Much more.
www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
Anti-ICE protesters arrested outside 26 Federal Plaza in NYC
New York City police made multiple arrests at another anti-ICE rally outside 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan.
www.cbsnews.com
August 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Comrades of mine in NYC were part of this. Wish I'd been there. We need more of this kind of righteous action. Much more.
www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news...
Reposted by Wen Stephenson
"“If this volume just grows even more, we simply have a societal situation that is not bearable anymore because it is just too much risk that is no longer covered,” Thallinger told CNBC..."
whatever politicians pretend to believe about climate, this is what they know
www.cnbc.com/2025/08/08/c...
whatever politicians pretend to believe about climate, this is what they know
www.cnbc.com/2025/08/08/c...
Why insurers worry the world could soon become uninsurable
Günther Thallinger, a board member at Allianz, one of the world's biggest insurers, says the climate crisis could make adaptation economically unviable.
www.cnbc.com
August 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM
"“If this volume just grows even more, we simply have a societal situation that is not bearable anymore because it is just too much risk that is no longer covered,” Thallinger told CNBC..."
whatever politicians pretend to believe about climate, this is what they know
www.cnbc.com/2025/08/08/c...
whatever politicians pretend to believe about climate, this is what they know
www.cnbc.com/2025/08/08/c...