How to Community Organise
for the Environment
In partnership with
The defenders of the Earth and the environment are doing work that is the responsibility of all of us, as caring for our planet belongs to everyone.
Community organising helps to shift power back to the people, enabling us to challenge systemic issues and build stronger, more connected communities. Through collective action, we can create social and environmental change that reflects our shared values and meets our community’s needs.
The environmental movement must be more inclusive and accessible. We must centre marginalised voices to ensure that their experiences are recognised, addressed and learned from. Fighting for these people and communities is not an optional ‘add-on’ - it is an essential part. Not only to support them, but also because we need them. The climate movement has so much to learn from other social movements such as the civil rights movement, the suffragettes and the LGBT rights movement. Likewise, there is also a lot to learn from Indigenous knowledge and spirituality. Moreover, diverse spaces make smarter decisions that are better for the planet.
Collective action is a powerful approach to creating systemic change by uniting people toward shared goals. This might involve community organising, forming coalitions, or working with advocacy groups to address climate issues or social justice. By joining forces, people can pool resources, increase influence, and make a greater impact on policies, social norms, and industry practices. The benefits extend beyond immediate goals. Collective action builds community, empowers individuals, and strengthens voices in decision-making. It also addresses root causes by shifting power dynamics and creating accountability at all levels, from governments to corporations.
A key example is the divestment movement, where global groups pressured institutions to withdraw investments from fossil fuels, shifting billions into cleaner energy. This movement transforms systems by fostering solidarity and shifting values towards sustainability, fairness, and resilience. Collective action is essential for tackling complex issues that no single person or organisation can address alone, making it a critical driver of meaningful change and long-term impact.
Mutual aid is the voluntary exchange of resources and services among individuals and communities for mutual benefit. In response to the climate crisis, it fosters resilience and collaboration in the face of environmental challenges. When natural disasters or resource shortages occur, mutual aid networks allow communities to support each other by sharing food, shelter, knowledge, and skills. These networks empower communities to implement sustainable practices, such as community gardens and renewable energy projects, promoting self-sufficiency. Mutual aid also encourages grassroots activism, enabling individuals to engage in climate action and advocate for systemic change, particularly in addressing social inequalities worsened by climate impacts. Additionally, it nurtures solidarity and interconnectedness, reinforcing the idea that collective action is essential for tackling climate change. By prioritising collaboration, mutual aid not only addresses immediate needs but also builds a foundation for long-term sustainability and resilience, demonstrating the power of collective action in times of crisis.
Real change comes from working together. These actions offer ways to join or support community organising efforts, from learning the basics to actively participating in local and global initiatives. Each action is designed to help you make a systemic impact by connecting with others, building skills, and supporting community-driven solutions.
Global Witness have an interactive summary of their annual Defenders report. Read it to learn more about individuals, communities and organisations bravely taking a stand to defend human rights, their land, and our environment. The end of the report includes their recommendations to better protect environmental defenders.
Learn about the role of community organising in the climate movement and how local groups can influence systemic change. This guide from The Solutions Project provides a great breakdown of what community organising is, why its effective and how you can apply it to the climate crisis.
The Territory is an immersive documentary that follows the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people in their fight against deforestation by farmers and illegal settlers in the Brazilian Amazon. It provides a rare look into the determination of land defenders, the motivations of those encroaching on their territory, and the grave dangers involved in protecting their ancestral home.
Frontline Defenders is a charity providing support to at-risk human rights defenders who legitimately promote open and just civil society throughout the world. By donating you can support their efforts, and 100% of your donation goes directly to providing emergency protection grants, providing training on digital and physical security, or mobilising international support for human rights defenders at risk.
We Will be Jaguars by Amazon Frontlines co-founders, Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson, is an impassioned memoir about an indigenous childhood, a clash of cultures, and the fight to save the Amazon rainforest. By buying the book you can support their organisation as well as connect with the stories of frontline defenders.
Support each other during your climate activism. Climate anxiety is a normal and common response to the climate crisis. It’s important that we can create safe spaces where we can share how we feel and work through it together.
Artivism Network have an amazing selection of workshops on how to combine artistic practice with social and climate justice activism. You can choose from Artivist 101, Climate Justice Artivism, Tools for Disruption and many more!
The climate crisis is a huge, global problem that we cannot hope to solve individually. We must collaborate and create inclusive activist spaces to allow diverse interests and skills to be utilised in the climate movement. Listen to this episode on the Yikes Podcast about gatekeeping activism and creating collective change.
Host an event within your community in support of the work of frontline defenders across the world. Many organisations and collectives of frontline defenders and indigenous peoples, such as Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) would be happy to collaborate on your event. Be sure to platform the voices and stories of the peoples you want to support.
Organise a youth-led climate action event. If you can’t see any climate action near you to join, start your own! Organising collective action is an empowering way to create meaningful change.
