Remembering Magnificence: Collective Action and the Beauty of the Earth

Abstract

Remembering magnificence honours and celebrates the passion and courage of citizens and social movements committed to achieving a rapid transition to a just and sustainable zero-carbon future. Human history is full of stories of extraordinary bravery and collective action driving transformational change which few at the time saw coming: the abolition of slavery, the triumph of the Suffragettes, the overthrowing of apartheid, the fall of the Berlin Wall. These themes are explored through stories of recent climate action initiatives including 350.org, The Pacific Climate Warriors, Liberate Tate, the German Energiewende, the Sunrise Movement for a Green New Deal and School Strike for the Climate. These movements and campaigns all in differing ways illustrate the power of collective action in overcoming isolation and despair as well as in triggering social and political tipping points.