Citizens Climate Campaign - Campaign Diary - Democracy and Global Warming

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Citizens Climate Campaign

Campaign Diary

Democracy
and
Global Warming

Just after we first began this Campaign, we came across a book called Doing Democracy by Bill Moyer.

It described the 8 stages that movements for social change go through on their road to success.

We found this information very comforting, particularly in the early days when there was so little public awareness of global warming, and no political acceptance.

It gave us a sense of perspective about what we were part of, what we were doing. It kept us going in the days when our numbers seemed to be growing too slowly. It keeps us going now, doing our bit as one of hundreds of other grassroots actions springing up like grassfires all over Australia, and the thousands world-wide.

We've decided to share a brief summary of the information with you, our fellow citizen activists!

Eight Stages of the Process of Social Movement Success

Normal Times. A critical problem exists that violates widely held values, but the powerholders support the problem.
In this instance, our problem is global warming; the widely-held value is our belief that our governments will act in the best interests of all Australians to deal effectively with this problem. The powerholders (governments and vested corporate interests) support policies which are not only contributing to the problem, but are making it worse. The public is unaware of the problem and supports the powerholders. The problem/policies are not a public issue.

Failure of Official Policies. Some members of the public become aware that government policies violate their widely held values. Some local opposition groups form. They start to do research, become better informed.

Ripening Conditions. Recognition of the problem grows. More active local groups form. 20% to 30% of public opposes the powerholder policies.

Take Off. A trigger event leads to dramatic non-violent actions/campaigns. In Australia "An Inconvenient Truth" and the Stern Report were significant triggers. The problem is on the public agenda. Nonviolent actions are repeated around country (Walk Against Warming, "Clean Energy for Eternity" human signs). 40% of the public opposes current policies.

Perception of Failure. The public see their goals unachieved as powerholder policies remain unchanged. Despair, hopelessness, burnout. Movement seems at stalemate.

Majority Public Opinion. Majority oppose powerholder policies. The problem and policies are shown to affect all sectors of society. Mainstream citizens and institutions become involved. The problem is on the political agenda. Powerholders promote the public's fear of alternatives. Re-trigger events happen, re-enacting Stage 4.

Success. Large majority of the public oppose current policies and no longer fear alternatives. Powerholders change policies but try to make minimal reforms, while movement demands real change.

Continuing the Struggle. Community leaders extend successes and oppose attempts at backlash, while promoting a paradigm shift in public perception.

All the great social change movements can be seen to have moved through these stages – the abolition of slavery, women's franchise, the U.S civil rights movement - to name a few. All took many years to ultimately achieve their goals, establishing rights and values we now take for granted.

Now it is our generation's turn to take on the ultimate
struggle for the survival of life, as we know it, on Earth.

Which stage do you think the climate change movement has reached? Email us to let us know.

Two great quotes from Doing Democracy:

"Even in societies with strong power elites, whether the United States (and Australia) or a military dictatorship, the powerholders' power is dependent on the co-operation, acquiescence, and tacit support of the great majority of common citizens".

"Powerholders know that societal conditions are ripe for change. They are aware that the private and public social system and institutions they head up often violate the people's cherished ideals. Consequently they consciously try to keep their actual policies hidden from the public because they fear that a majority of the general public would rebel if it knew the reality".

In this great movement, the role of the Citizens Climate Campaign is:

to make our powerholders legislate policies to deal effectively with global warming

To educate our fellow citizens about the ways in which government policies are violating our belief that they are acting in the best interests of all Australians

To provide a quick and easy way for citizens to take action to put pressure on our governments.

Thanks for being on the journey with us - the Citizens Climate Campaign Committee.