This episode of Wicked Problems features a profound discussion featuring Dr. Tadzio Müller - an influential German climate activist who writes at Peaceful Sabotage - on recent elections, the failure of previous climate activism strategies, the psychological dynamics of society's rejection of climate action, and the need to reinvent activism to empower communities amidst impending climate disasters.
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” and cover a range of topics from the hunger strikes of climate activists in Germany, the emotional and practical aspects of activism, to the rise of right-wing populism in Europe and its implications. They compare current activism challenges to historical contexts, discuss the legitimacy and critique of electric capitalism with Tesla as a case example, and explore the importance of collective action and neighbourhood-level organisation in times of crisis. The conversation underscores the necessity for pragmatic and hopeful actions aligned with harsh realities to achieve meaningful change.00:00 Introduction: The Struggle Against a Powerful System
00:53 Guest Introduction and Previous Conversations
01:23 Heat and Climate Activism
02:56 The Chessboard Analogy and Climate Movement Challenges
03:17 The Hunger Strike and Its Implications
10:21 Empowerment in Climate Activism
14:13 Climate Justice and Social Cooling
21:02 Election Analysis and Youth Voting Trends
29:44 Exploring the Capital Stack for Climate Solutions
30:07 The Nightmare Scenario: Grid Failure and Heatwaves
31:03 Book Recommendations and Activism Insights
31:43 Reflecting on Climate Probabilities and Activism
32:43 The Reality of Climate Collapse and Hope
36:13 Political Shifts and Right-Wing Movements
38:51 The Rise of Fascism in Europe
41:49 The Coming Out of the Asshole Society
46:32 The Role of Climate Activism in Society
50:46 Tesla and Electrocapitalism
56:34 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections
And check out our playlist to find songs from the show:
Peaceful Sabotage and Just Collapse: Klimakampf with Tadzio Müller