Wen Stephenson

Contributing Writer

Wen Stephenson has been a frequent contributor to The Nation since 2013. A veteran journalist, essayist, and activist, he is the author of What We're Fighting for Now Is Each Other (2015), about the pivotal early years of the climate justice movement. More of his writing can be found at wenstephenson.com.

Andreas Malm

What’s Worse Than Climate Catastrophe? Climate Catastrophe Plus Fascism. What’s Worse Than Climate Catastrophe? Climate Catastrophe Plus Fascism.

A conversation with Andreas Malm about his new book, White Skin, Black Fuel: On the Danger of Fossil Fascism.

May 25, 2021 / Q&A / Wen Stephenson

How a Climate-Justice Champion Won Office in Rural, Working-Class Maine

How a Climate-Justice Champion Won Office in Rural, Working-Class Maine How a Climate-Justice Champion Won Office in Rural, Working-Class Maine

State Senator Chloe Maxmin, a progressive activist who unseated the GOP minority leader in November, talks about social-movement organizing.

Feb 16, 2021 / Conversations With ‘The Nation’ / Wen Stephenson

Two activists with painted faces stand, holding a sign that reads

The Hardest Thing About the Green New Deal The Hardest Thing About the Green New Deal

Three new books raise the question: What does global solidarity look like at this late hour?

Oct 12, 2020 / Wen Stephenson

Voices From the Front Lines of a Climate Direct Action Campaign

Voices From the Front Lines of a Climate Direct Action Campaign Voices From the Front Lines of a Climate Direct Action Campaign

“We are removing our consent from this system, and we are not asking for anyone’s permission.”

Feb 7, 2020 / Feature / Wen Stephenson

‘This Is an Emergency,’ the Caller Said. ‘You Need to Stop the Train.’

‘This Is an Emergency,’ the Caller Said. ‘You Need to Stop the Train.’ ‘This Is an Emergency,’ the Caller Said. ‘You Need to Stop the Train.’

Climate justice protesters blockaded train tracks in Massachusetts this week. Despite an emergency call and other warnings, the train kept coming.

Dec 20, 2019 / Wen Stephenson

Varshini Prakash

Varshini Prakash of the Sunrise Movement on Climate Justice, the Green New Deal, and Revolution Varshini Prakash of the Sunrise Movement on Climate Justice, the Green New Deal, and Revolution

“We didn’t ask to have the responsibility of protecting human civilization on our shoulders. But we’re stepping up to the plate.”

Jun 4, 2019 / Editorial / Wen Stephenson

Green New Deal

What ‘Living in Truth’ Looks Like in the Face of Climate Catastrophe What ‘Living in Truth’ Looks Like in the Face of Climate Catastrophe

Bill McKibben has shown us what it means to live within the truth of our struggle for human survival. Will a new generation find the courage to do the same?

Apr 11, 2019 / Wen Stephenson

Climate Emily Annette

This Landmark Trial of Climate Activists Puts the Political System Itself on Trial This Landmark Trial of Climate Activists Puts the Political System Itself on Trial

In a Minnesota courtroom, the Valve Turners are using the “necessity defense” in their shutdown of the tar-sands pipeline.

Oct 5, 2018 / Wen Stephenson

Charlie Baker climate

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker Is a Climate Criminal—and I’m Willing to Go to Jail to Say So Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker Is a Climate Criminal—and I’m Willing to Go to Jail to Say So

A big part of what makes nonviolent civil disobedience powerful is the willingness of those engaging in it to suffer the consequences.

Nov 21, 2017 / Wen Stephenson

Houston Flood

Houston’s Human Catastrophe Started Long Before the Storm Houston’s Human Catastrophe Started Long Before the Storm

Decades of neglect, inequality, and disenfranchisement mean that all Houstonians, but especially the poorest and most vulnerable, have been left utterly undefended.

Aug 29, 2017 / Wen Stephenson

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