Global Warming's Impact on Financial Struggles in the Northern Hemisphere - Publication and Document
In a groundbreaking research study, the Front Commun pour la Transition Energétique (FCTE), established in 2015, and commissioned by the Global Grassroots Support Network (GGSN), shed light on the far-right narratives surrounding climate change and affordability in the Global North. The comprehensive research, available as a zine and in-depth report, delves into the strategies used by these groups, the challenges faced, and the notable achievements in eight social movement campaigns since 2019.
The study reveals that far-right narratives often employ logical fallacies such as false causation, scapegoating, conspiracy theories, and oversimplification. These tactics are used to blame immigration, multiculturalism, and marginalized groups for environmental harm, while ignoring systemic causes like fossil fuel dependence and consumption patterns of wealthy populations.
One of the key aspects of these far-right narratives is ecofascism, an ideology that merges white supremacy, ethno-nationalism, and environmentalism. This ideology weaponizes climate change by blaming immigration and racial "others" for ecological degradation and advocates for brutal population control and exclusion to "save" the environment.
The research also provides case studies and examples, such as the manifestos of Brenton Tarrant and Patrick Crusius, who tied climate crisis narratives to racist and anti-immigrant violence. Contemporary far-right political parties in Europe and North America also use similar themes, framing environmental policies as threats to working-class affordability and sovereignty, often ignoring intersectional economic and racial justice concerns.
However, the research also highlights counternarratives that emphasize inclusive climate action, social justice, and the interconnection between affordability and environmental sustainability. Advocates working against far-right climate discourses promote linking climate change to affordability in ways that recognize the affordability crisis (energy poverty, housing, cost of living) without scapegoating marginalized groups. They also highlight that climate inaction drives up costs and harms vulnerable populations, thereby connecting social justice with climate solutions.
Communication strategies emphasize hope, solution-focused narratives, and inclusive framing, including uplifting Indigenous knowledge in climate action, fostering cooperation, and exposing misinformation networks fueled by fossil fuel interests. Addressing far-right climate misinformation requires exposing its roots in racism and xenophobia and promoting factual, equitable narratives.
In addition to the FCTE study, the research also examines campaigns like the Make Them Pay led by Common Horizon, Cap the Crap by 350 Canada, the Right to Energy campaign, the Boston Climate Action Network, MaHousing Climate, and Warm This Winter in the United Kingdom, among others. Despite challenges, many of these campaigns have achieved significant milestones, including policy changes, public support, and alliances.
The Sunrise Movement, a youth-led climate justice organization advocating for the Green New Deal in the United States, is another example of a successful campaign linking climate change and affordability. The study offers practical advice to movements for framing messages in socially just terms that counter far-right rhetoric.
In conclusion, the research underscores the importance of countering far-right narratives on climate change and affordability with inclusive, solution-focused, and equitable narratives. By exposing the roots of far-right climate misinformation and promoting factual, just, and equitable narratives, we can build broad support for climate action that addresses economic inequality and energy poverty.
- The Front Commun pour la Transition Energétique (FCTE) study reveals that far-right narratives surrounding climate change and affordability often use ecofascism, an ideology that merges white supremacy, ethno-nationalism, and environmentalism to blame immigration and marginalized groups for ecological degradation.
- The research further highlights case studies such as the manifestos of Brenton Tarrant and Patrick Crusius, who linked climate crisis narratives to racist and anti-immigrant violence, and contemporary far-right political parties in Europe and North America that frame environmental policies as threats to working-class affordability.
- Advocates working against far-right climate discourses promote counternarratives that link climate change to affordability in ways that recognize the affordability crisis (energy poverty, housing, cost of living) without scapegoating marginalized groups.
- The study offers practical advice for movements to frame messages in socially just terms that counter far-right rhetoric, such as emphasizing hope, solution-focused narratives, and inclusive framing, including uplifting Indigenous knowledge in climate action and fostering cooperation.
- Online education platforms and general news outlets can play a crucial role in promoting factual, equitable narratives about climate change and affordability by exposing misinformation networks fueled by fossil fuel interests and educating the public about the interconnection between climate action, social justice, and economic inequality.
- By building broad support for climate action that addresses economic inequality and energy poverty, we can effectively counter the far-right narratives on climate change and affordability and ultimately achieve significant policy changes and public support for climate solutions.
