Bill McKibben, the longtime climate activist who founded Third Act, spoke to a full house of 350 (with more than 400 additional viewers watching the livesteam on the Internet, recording available here) at Seattle’s First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, July 2nd. McKibben’s comments in Seattle were upbeat as he highlighted the many positive indicators that are in place to address the challenges of a warming planet. His speech was also viewed by several listening parties across the region.
The talk was one of a series in the larger Summer of Heat movement, including a July 5 talk in Portland and demonstrations at the Citibank headquarters in New York City where, on July 8, McKibben and other TAWA members were arrested (Planet over Profit post with video, article in NYT, and McKibben’s account on his substack newsletter).
In Seattle, McKibben set the context for his message by listing recent, disturbing trends related to global warming, including powerful hurricanes early in the season, record temperatures, and flooding. He cited planet-wide repercussions of climate change that are already changing life as we know it, including disruptions in the political, economic, and health spheres. He told the audience that while it was proper to feel scared and anxious, there are solutions available.
McKibben pointed to the rapidly falling price of alternative energy sources, the scientific research providing alternatives to lithium and other components of batteries, and the increased use of solar power, e-bikes, and electric cars as positive signs. He drew laughs when he pointed out that alternative energy used to be elitist and expensive like Whole Foods but is now as economical as discount supermarkets.
The key to addressing the issue, he emphasized again and again, is acting fast. Because he believes the most important work will take place in the next four to five years, he urged seniors to join the activist movements that are already making a difference. Young people are the leaders, he said, but they need the support of those who have structural power. He countered the idea of older people growing more conservative as they age. The seventy million of us over age 60 are “not who they think we are!” he said to applause. He called us the “Rocking Chair Rebellion,” in reference to the symbolic use of that furniture in earlier demonstrations.
At the conclusion of his talk, McKibben addressed issues specific to the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing the “No on 2117” campaign as a movement garnering national attention. A short campaign video was then shown on the video monitors. He recommended phone banking and writing postcards to high school seniors as effective political tactics.
In a wide-ranging question and answer session, McKibben recommended collective action as the best response to climate change. Individual positive behavior, in his view, is not enough, well-meaning as it may be. Groups like Third Act and its alliance partners have already made a difference and can continue to do so, he said. The audience responded with a standing ovation.
As people exited the church, many stopped at the fifteen different tables set up by Third Act’s partners in climate and democracy activism to volunteer, sign petitions, and collect literature. There was a palpable sense of mission, dedication, and resolve. At the bus stop across from the church, conversation continued about ways to move forward. Everyone interviewed there expressed a desire to continue the work, citing McKibben’s speech as a galvanizing moment for Third Act and its partners.
