Thursday, Feb. 27, Dr. Dana R. Fisher delivered a talk titled “Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action” as the second lecture of the Environment and Sustainability Program’s “Envisioning Real Ecotopias” spring series. Fisher discussed the major themes and concerns she covered in her 2024 book, which bears the same title.
Fisher is the director of the Center for Environment, Community, and Equity and is a professor of environment, development and health at American University’s School of International Service. PBS recently named her one of America’s most prescient thinkers on the changing politics of climate change.
This past January, the College of William and Mary announced its intention to celebrate 2025 as the Year of the Environment, promoting involvement in the Environment and Sustainability program and environmental action in the broader community. Fisher’s talk marks another step in the College’s effort to deepen its commitment to safeguarding the climate.
Fisher shared that she shifted her lecture’s key messages to parallel the changing status of the federal government. She placed stress on the importance of “saving ourselves” by remaining optimistic despite the current political situation and escalating effects of climate change.
“For now I’m here, and I’m going to continue talking about these things as long as I am allowed,” Fisher said.
She explained that substantial changes relating to countries’ perception of risk have altered the way humans operate and use resources daily. She concluded that building an understanding of how to properly respond to such risks will aid the global community in combating the climate crisis.
Fisher cited the global policy shift during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of governments enacting dramatic change in response to high-risk threats to humanity.
“Society changed dramatically,” Fisher said. “The government stopped expecting things from certain people. We changed. Life changed substantially. It was the risk that changed our behaviors.”
However, Fisher emphasized the crucial role of civic engagement concerning climate activism.
“The state and the market won’t save us,” Fisher said. “Social change is most likely to come from civil society.”
She highlighted climate action events she attended with her research team, where they surveyed participants to better understand the growing public interest in climate-focused civic activism. These included the September 2019 Climate Strike, Earth Day 2023, the September 2023 March to End Fossil Fuels and the 2024 Summer of Heat.
“As I was writing the book I started out with interviews,” Fisher said. “It became really clear to me that there were people doing things on the outside.”
Fisher explained that she then focused her research on the “radical flanks” of grassroots climate movements, which help push the needle forward.
“As the movement wears on, some people are frustrated with the movement and its progress and decide to act more radical,” Fisher said. “In the end what I speak about is how [radicalism] is helping to expand the movement.”
“If society doesn’t push back, what are we going to do?” Fisher posed.
She stressed the importance of three major elements in her book that political actors must consider when understanding how to “save ourselves” from the climate crisis. Fisher states that we must create a community based on real solidarity, capitalizing off moral shocks from climate change and cultivating resilient bonds to confront future crises.
Fisher segued into a more expansive look at public perception of protest movements. She aimed to determine general attitudes towards support of radical activism, highlighting her team’s experience at the 2025 People’s March.
Her findings revealed that 94% of attendees voted for Kamala Harris and that 84% supported organizations engaged in nonviolent civil disobedience to protest climate change. In general, supporters tended to be younger, less educated and further left-leaning than in past years.
“The resistance is not dead,” Fisher said. “The resistance is alive and well. The left is working together in collaboration against a common enemy. One thing we do know from history is that the state response when there is protest will be repressive.”
Ellie Long ’28 reflected on Fisher’s emphasis on protesting.
“I saw them as face-value and didn’t really look into it,” Long said. “Now it makes sense why certain groups did [protest].”
Following her lecture, Fisher opened the floor for attendee questions.
In response to a question about how concerned we should be for the future of democracy, Fisher notably displayed her criticism for the current and future state of our nation, showcasing how the push for environmental activism goes beyond climate action alone.
“I can’t believe that I am here,” Fisher said. “At the moment I think we’re seeing so many norms shattering around what is America. What I think is the most important thing we all can do is figure out what avenues we have. Best case scenario, what we need to see is our elected leaders standing up. The best thing we can do is go to our elected officials and let them know what we think.”
Mary Veronica Kendall ’25 reflected on Fisher’s expansive view of political activism.
“Hearing her talk about very concrete ways to consolidate power as an opposition opens new avenues in my brain,” Kendall said. “If anyone from the university ever sees this, I would love for them to know that we would do a lot more to support student organizing, but also I acknowledge the institutional efforts made by hosting these kinds of events, and I think that in itself is wonderful.”
Fisher concluded on an optimistic note about the future of constituent-led climate advocacy and protection.
“What makes me optimistic is you guys. What makes me hopeful is you guys. My job is to just help and support and encourage you. You have the power,” Fisher said.
