I used to live in a place where the river was moved. 

In Appalachian Ohio, flooding is a way of life. But in the 1960s and 70s, a portion of the Hocking River was rerouted to lessen the annual flood threat to Ohio University’s campus, which was right in the water’s path.

I sometimes think about this river, its new and different twists and turns, when I consider how the climate crisis is reshaping our world, and how we often try to (literally) bend the natural world to our wants. But to address the climate crisis, it may be humans who need to adjust. This week at the Climate Justice desk we take a deep dive into gatherings, and rethinking the way we come together. 

First, the Association of Writers and Writing Programs, the largest gathering of writers in North America, has just wrapped up its annual conference in Los Angeles, CA. But is it practical to convene thousands of people in a city so recently ravaged by wildfires? Is it ethical? Next, though the climate crisis disproportionately impacts women and girls, important conversations about climate policy still exclude them. We then look at the recent Climate Week NYC, which, according to an attendee, feels like an echo chamber for the privileged while silencing or ignoring the voices of those most affected by climate change. Finally, these issues require solutions-focused strategies. How can leaders move beyond opposition and bridge divides in communities?

Dr. Alison Stine
Climate Justice Senior Editor