Working across Lines: Resisting Extreme Energy Extraction

Working across Lines offers a comparative analysis of climate justice coalitions in California and Idaho, arguing for four practices critical for movement building: focusing on core values of justice, accountability, and integrity, identifying the roots of injustice, cultivating relationships among activists, and welcoming difference.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 12 July 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Working across Lines offers a comprehensive comparative analysis of climate justice coalitions in California and Idaho, two states with distinct fossil fuel histories, environmental contexts, and political cultures. Drawing on ethnographic evidence from 106 in-depth interviews and three years of participant observation, Corrie Grosse investigates the ways people build effective energy justice coalitions across differences in political views, race and ethnicity, age, and strategic preferences. This book argues for four practices that are critical for movement building: focusing on core values of justice, accountability, and integrity; identifying the roots of injustice; cultivating relationships among activists; and welcoming difference. In focusing on coalitions related to energy and climate justice, Grosse provides important models for bridging divides to reach common goals. These lessons are more relevant than ever.

Introduction:
Climate justice coalitions have emerged as powerful forces in the fight against fracking and tar sands, two fossil fuel extraction methods that have significant environmental and social impacts. These coalitions bring together individuals and organizations from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to advocate for a sustainable and equitable energy future. In this essay, we will explore how communities are uniting against fracking and tar sands to change our energy future.

Comparative Analysis:
Working across Lines, a book by Corrie Grosse, offers a detailed comparative analysis of climate justice coalitions in California and Idaho. Grosse examines the ways in which these coalitions build effective energy justice campaigns, despite differences in political views, race and ethnicity, age, and strategic preferences. The book provides valuable insights into the strategies and tactics used by these coalitions to achieve their goals.

Building Effective Energy Justice Coalitions:
Grosse argues that effective energy justice coalitions must focus on core values of justice, accountability, and integrity. These values serve as the foundation for building trust and legitimacy among activists and stakeholders. Coalitions must also identify the roots of injustice, such as the disproportionate impact of fossil fuel extraction on marginalized communities and the environmental and health risks associated with these practices.

Cultivating Relationships Among Activists:
Building strong relationships among activists is critical for the success of energy justice coalitions. Coalitions must create spaces for activists to share their experiences, ideas, and resources, and to build trust and respect for each other. This can be achieved through regular meetings, workshops, and social events.

Welcoming Difference:
In addition to building relationships among activists, energy justice coalitions must also welcome difference. Diverse perspectives and experiences can contribute to innovative solutions and strategies for addressing the challenges of fracking and tar sands. Coalitions must be open to engaging with individuals and organizations from different backgrounds and cultures, and to recognizing the importance of diversity in the fight for a sustainable and equitable energy future.

Conclusion:
Climate justice coalitions are playing a critical role in the fight against fracking and tar sands. By focusing on core values of justice, accountability, and integrity, identifying the roots of injustice, cultivating relationships among activists, and welcoming difference, these coalitions are building effective campaigns to change our energy future. The lessons learned from these coalitions can be applied to other social and environmental justice movements, and to the broader fight for a more sustainable and equitable world.

Weight: 499g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520388406