With the global rise of far-right politics, this research stream examines the rapidly changing political terrain and its intersections with climate justice. By situating contemporary far-right movements within the longer histories of global fascism and colonialism, the work aims to understand how far-right actors are responding to climate change across local, national, and international scales, and reveal the narrative they create. We also assess the pathways by which climate (dis)information moves among the far-right groups and actors to mainstream avenues, and how this can influence provincial/state, national, and international climate policy. Far-right narratives teach us not only about the circulation of untruths, but also about the central role that environmental governance plays in nationalist and imperialist projects, across authoritarian-fascist and liberal practices of government. Through this work we will operationalize our insights with policy recommendations that can advance more democratic and equitable responses to a changing climate.
We ask: How can we develop an evidence base for climate policy and communications? How can we honour the ‘kernel of truth’ baiting people to follow conspiracies, but paint an alternative vision to address the compounding crisis? How can history help us understand the present and embolden our actions in chaotic times?
Topics in this research stream:
- Climate policy
- Far-right politics
- Discourse analysis
- Misinformation
- Climate narratives
- Conspiracy
- Eco-fascism
- Climate Apartheid
Project Spotlights
Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World – written by Naomi Klein
Braiding together elements of tragicomic memoir, chilling political reportage, and cobweb-clearing cultural analysis, Naomi Klein dives deep into what she calls the Mirror World—our destabilized present rife with doubles and confusion, where far right movements playact solidarity with the working class, AI-generated content blurs the line between genuine and spurious, New Age wellness entrepreneurs turned anti-vaxxers further scramble our familiar political allegiances, and so many of us project our own carefully curated digital doubles out into the social media sphere.
The Long Arc Of Fascism: An Action-Oriented Teach-In
The Long Arc of Fascism Teach-In on April 18 & 19 comprises two dynamic in-person events where speakers will guide participants through the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of fascism, sparking discussions on how we can combat its rise through collective action. This teach-in is not your average lecture – be prepared to engage, question, and strategize for a better future together.