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- This Hopeless COP is the Most Hopeful in Years
This Hopeless COP is the Most Hopeful in Years
December 2023: Dissecting COP28, introducing our new book, and new allies signal their support.
Dear Climate Majority,
As a new instalment of the annual COP circus begins, many of us rightly feel demoralised at the thought of more non-binding agreements, propping up business as usual. In their latest article for DeSmog, Liam Kavanagh and Rupert Read suggest that this hopeless COP contains a grain of hope: a climate summit whose petrostate hosts planned to use it as a platform for new oil deals? Now it’s so obvious that the system is failing, progress may finally be possible.
Book launch
The Climate Majority Project: Setting the stage for a mainstream, urgent climate movement
Also this month, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our first book, coming in January 2024. Written as the early story of the CMP was itself unfolding, it explores the thinking behind this urgent project, and introduces our theory of change.
Written and edited by Rupert Read, Liam Kavanagh and Rosie Bell, this co-created anthology features guest chapters from collaborators and organisers of citizen climate action in the UK, sharing the wisdom of their experience from local adaptation and rewilding to citizenship, climate anxiety in the classroom, and beyond.
Pre-order your copy and find out more here!
Our living world is under unprecedented threat. We must respond now, actively, thoughtfully, and in a way that carries the majority with us. This book shows us how we could truly do this. Practical, thoughtful and compassionate; guided by evidence and yet inspirational; it helps to dismantle the polarities that risk driving us apart.
A growing coalition of unusual suspects
As you may remember, our founding statement set out to give a voice to a silent majority who care about climate but aren’t drawn to radical activism. Supported by a coalition of household names from across the political spectrum, from Swampy to Carice Van Houten and Lord Deben, it has continued gaining notable support. Recent signatories include:
Caroline Lucas (former leader of the Green Party), Jon Alexander (author, ‘Citizens’) Ben Margolis (former CEO of The Climate Coalition), Sophie Dembinski (Head of Policy & Climate Action, Ecosia search engine), Jeremy Lent (Author of ‘The Patterning Instinct’) and Andri Snaer Magnason (Icelandic writer and documentary film director)
From 40°C summers to flooded high streets, every year the weather brings the reality of climate breakdown home in a new way. What we don’t realise is that the majority of people share our growing fears. We feel alone: too small to matter. Afraid of sounding alarmist, millions stay silent. So the majority and its power are hidden. It’s time for the climate majority to make its voice heard.
Sincerely,
The CMP Team