April 4th, 2023
THIS MONTH IN THE THREAD
① A major overhaul of the global financial system can help countries recover from — and prevent against — climate disasters
② To ensure housing security, focus on proactive and principled policies
③ We need stories that inspire climate optimism... and more.
In this quarterly themed edition of The Thread, we focus on our shared climate future. Tweet at us @NewAmerica with #ClimateChangesEverything and tell us how climate is changing the world around you.
For every one dollar invested in climate-resilient infrastructure, six dollars are saved. But the countries most vulnerable to climate change disasters are plagued by a seemingly endless cycle of debt and disaster. And promises made by larger economies to step in with funding have not yet materialized. Barbados is leading a global conversation for change with the proposed Bridgetown Initiative, which unlocks financing for crisis-hit countries. What happens next could mean overdue climate reparations for the world’s most vulnerable countries. Read more.
Climate change is challenging housing markets across the country. Smart, proactive, and cost-effective policies can stem the tide and support our most vulnerable communities — our team put forward a collection of recommendations to illustrate how. Read more.
New America’s Better Life Lab, in partnership with Storyline Partners and other collaborators, launched a new narrative change tool for writers, creators, and storytellers: Writing about the Climate Crisis, Work, Workers, and Care. The reader includes the history of the climate crisis and its effects on labor — and it provides tips for adding nuance to stories at the intersection of climate and care, anywhere they might exist: TV, film, podcasts, and more.
While gloomy narratives on the climate crisis might help spark action, climate optimism is also necessary: We need hope to tackle the climate fight. Science fiction is one unlikely place where we might find imaginative visions of a positive climate future — one to work towards, not prevent against. Read more.
Related:
On Saturday, April 22, groups will gather in Washington, DC to call upon the Biden administration to take more aggressive action against the climate crisis and demand an end to our reliance on fossil fuels. The Earth Day event will feature a youth-led rally, march, and organizing fair of “climate cafes” and teach-ins.
🪡 THREADING THE NEEDLE
📝 Read Up
This past month New America explored the power of accurate, accessible materials for teaching American history, the importance of reflecting on our nation’s story ahead of its 250th birthday, the questions raised by the involvement of veterans in the January 6th attack, and Hollywood’s glaring diversity gaps at the Academy Awards.
🎧 Listen In
Hurricane Katrina. The Federal Flood. The day the levees broke. Whatever you choose to call it, on August 29, 2005, the city of New Orleans was forever changed. Hosted and reported by former New America Fellow Vann R. Newkirk II, Floodlines offers a rich collection of stories to provide a nuanced and insightful account of one of the most misunderstood events in American history. Listen to the series.
▶️ Tune In
Putting justice at the center of the fight against climate change, New America and partners came together at Princeton University to discuss the imperative of delivering climate justice at home and abroad. Watch panelists outline the need for justice at the core of climate mitigation and adaptation policy.
Connect with Us
The Thread from New America connects policy, equity, and culture to elevate topics and stories you might have overlooked. Each month, we’ll bring you original writing from New America’s researchers and storytellers, as well as our latest research. If you enjoyed The Thread, follow us on Twitter and subscribe if someone forwarded you this newsletter.
