The research — conducted by several organizations, including the University of Bonn, Oxford University, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication — uncovers widespread climate concern among a whopping 89% of 130,000 respondents across 125 countries, including the U.S.

That’s a lot! Moreover, these findings have led to an exciting new initiative called The 89 Percent Project — a global media collaboration aimed at highlighting the fact that the vast majority of people in the world care about climate change and want their governments to do something about it.

You’re not alone if you’ve seen, heard, or had enough of the world’s slow response to climate change. And as climate change accelerates, more people will likely join you; the silent majority will become more outspoken and motivated to participate directly in climate action, too.

Opportunities for everyone to participate are growing and becoming increasingly global. People from everywhere, at all different commitment levels, have more ways to engage than ever before. And as members of a rising majority, we can produce a powerful multiplier effect.

More Participants = More Progress

Why does participation matter so much right now? Because we can move the needle farther when more of us compel our governments and inspire each other to act.

What’s more, participation is critical now because we have catch-up work to do. Although the Paris Agreement was signed a decade ago, most nations’ climate commitments have not been met, according to the UN’s latest report. And we can’t overlook the number of businesses pulling back on their previous climate commitments, either. This combination of countries and companies lagging behind means that we must pick up our pace even more.

But while these regressions and retreats are disappointing, forces at work offer hopeful signs of movement. New local and national climate legislation and novel advances in climate tech are just two categories of positive public and private sector progress that don’t rely on federal governance. Reports of their momentum regularly appear in national and international news outlets and social media feeds as encouraging reminders of the progress that’s quietly yet steadily underway.

There are also tangible and pragmatic reasons now motivating change. The costs of damages and loss caused by climate change are escalating and will inevitably cause more governments, industries, businesses, and people everywhere to react out of plain necessity. When our safety or security is threatened, we instinctively protect our property and ourselves. That can lead to more alignment around actionable solutions right now that are beneficial for everyone and the planet.

Not everyone will be a climate activist. But we can all be climate pragmatists.

Climate Pragmatism = Common Sense

Climate pragmatism is common sense because it offers practical steps for all stakeholders to follow. It applies science and proof points to inform us about wiser environmental choices for the future. It also uses math to help guide smarter private and public financial decisions as we face the rising costs of past inaction. And, to round things out, climate pragmatism promotes real success stories that motivate all of us to join:

• policy wins — that impact our health, safety, and natural resources
• reforestation wins — that help restore the balance to ecosystems we rely on
• low-carbon materials & climate tech wins — that gain in value as they move from prototypes to pilot projects and scalable commercialization

Climate pragmatism meets people where they are and gives them the tools and agency to act on what they care about. It’s a consequential call to action, a means to change mindsets, and an exponential boost to advancing climate action faster.

Making a difference is becoming easier.

How to Participate

It’s natural to wonder where to start, with whom, and for how much of your time.
This QUARTERLY offers several ways to begin participating — or to go deeper if you’re already involved.

If you’re ready to get started, here are several easy ways to stay informed:

• Read The Daily Difference, from the Carbon Almanac Network, which offers a conversational way to begin, or Bloomberg Green, which provides a more business-oriented yet simple starting place. Both suggestions are quick reads and free.
• Listen to one or more of the following Podcasts: Zero, A Matter of Degrees, and Climate Swings, which is for those who want to work in climate but don’t know where to start.
• Watch the webinars hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), which cover foundational climate topics and are delivered in accessible language by global experts.

If you’re ready to interact with organizations, here are a few paths to follow:

• There’s no shortage of climate-focused organizations to interact with. We suggest starting with the Climate Organizations Resource Directory for a well-organized list of resources.
• Every industry, from fashion to pharmaceuticals, has an organization or working group dedicated to sustainability and climate impact. You can find several hundred listed in the Climate Action Directory, as well as a smaller consolidated list by industry.
• To interact with design organizations participating in the global Conference Of the Parties (COP) to advance climate action, here are several to begin with: AIA / Architecture 2030 / ASLA / Climate Positive Design / RIBA / USGBC / WorldGBC
• If you’re interested in climate justice, Bentley University Library provides an extensive directory of Climate Justice Organizations to interact with nationally or internationally.

If you’re ready to join an advocacy group, you have plenty of local to national options:

• All states have agencies responsible for economic development and related functions to attract businesses, foster growth, and support their economies. Local and state agencies are also investing in climate resilience, emissions reductions, and carbon removal legislation. Begin by exploring your state’s resources in Lot₂₁’s national policy directory, available here, to uncover advocacy groups that may fit your interests.
• For example, the 4 Corners Carbon Coalition led a low-carbon concrete campaign that successfully rallied stakeholders, e.g., suppliers, builders, architects, and civic leaders, from four adjacent states. Now, 4 Corners is leading a new campaign to catalyze biochar pioneers in New York State’s Hudson Valley through an active coalition of participants from across the region. Local, state, and regional efforts like these welcome your advocacy.
• As a first-hand experience, I’ve had the privilege of participating in a New York State advocacy group engaged in developing two carbon removal bills led by Chris Neidl, Lot₂₁’s policy advisor. It’s a great way to gain a deeper understanding of how policy is made, who needs to be involved, and why participating matters. (AIA is among our supporters.)
• You can also participate by sharing climate-positive materials, tools, or projects on Lot₂₁ using our easy-entry form, available on each category’s landing page. Your content helps more of our community members to inform, inspire, and empower others to act.

To those just getting started, this is your open invitation. And to those already participating, my heartfelt thanks. A rising majority lifts us all.

With you, we can do a lot more!

Lew Epstein

Founder / CEO

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