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.

These Frontline Communities Know What Climate Justice Would Mean—and They’re Not Seeing It at the UN

These Frontline Communities Know What Climate Justice Would Mean—and They’re Not Seeing It at the UN These Frontline Communities Know What Climate Justice Would Mean—and They’re Not Seeing It at the UN

Changing the path corporations and the 1 percent have set for our planet is going to take more than a march. It’s going to take a struggle.

Sep 24, 2014 / Wen Stephenson

Charges Were Just Dropped Against These Climate Activists in the Most Stunning Way

Charges Were Just Dropped Against These Climate Activists in the Most Stunning Way Charges Were Just Dropped Against These Climate Activists in the Most Stunning Way

In a remarkable turn of events, a Massachusetts DA drops charges against climate activists—and then defends them.

Sep 8, 2014 / Blog / Wen Stephenson

Welcome to West Port Arthur, Texas, Ground Zero in the Fight for Climate Justice

Welcome to West Port Arthur, Texas, Ground Zero in the Fight for Climate Justice Welcome to West Port Arthur, Texas, Ground Zero in the Fight for Climate Justice

If you live in a toxic environment like this, surrounded by refineries, you’re probably not thinking about some future apocalypse. You’re living in one.

Jun 3, 2014 / Feature / Wen Stephenson

Let This Earth Day Be The Last

Let This Earth Day Be The Last Let This Earth Day Be The Last

“Environmentalism” has failed. The planet now needs a movement far more radical.

Apr 22, 2014 / Blog / Wen Stephenson

Harvard Fossil Fuel Divestment Smackdown: The Faculty vs. President Faust

Harvard Fossil Fuel Divestment Smackdown: The Faculty vs. President Faust Harvard Fossil Fuel Divestment Smackdown: The Faculty vs. President Faust

A large group of Harvard faculty release an open letter to President Drew Gilpin Faust calling forcefully for fossil-fuel divestment.

Apr 10, 2014 / Blog / Wen Stephenson

Deval Patrick, These Student Climate Activists Are Your Political Future

Deval Patrick, These Student Climate Activists Are Your Political Future Deval Patrick, These Student Climate Activists Are Your Political Future

Student climate activists in Massachusetts win a meeting with Governor Deval Patrick about banning new fossil-fuel infrastructure. But they need more than a meeting.

Apr 1, 2014 / Blog / Wen Stephenson

Why We Must Divest From Fossil Fuels: A Student’s Open Letter to Harvard President Drew Faust

Why We Must Divest From Fossil Fuels: A Student’s Open Letter to Harvard President Drew Faust Why We Must Divest From Fossil Fuels: A Student’s Open Letter to Harvard President Drew Faust

Harvard graduate student Benjamin Franta implores President Drew Gilpin Faust to be honest about her opposition to divestment.

Mar 19, 2014 / Blog / Wen Stephenson

Nearly 400 Arrested at XL Dissent—the Largest White House Civil Disobedience Action in a Generation

Nearly 400 Arrested at XL Dissent—the Largest White House Civil Disobedience Action in a Generation Nearly 400 Arrested at XL Dissent—the Largest White House Civil Disobedience Action in a Generation

The student-led protest was a dramatic demonstration of the youth climate movement’s growing resolve—and its sense of solidarity.

Mar 7, 2014 / Wen Stephenson

From Occupy to Climate Justice

From Occupy to Climate Justice From Occupy to Climate Justice

There’s a growing effort to merge economic-justice and climate activism. Call it climate democracy.

Feb 6, 2014 / Feature / Wen Stephenson

Keystone XL and Tar Sands: Voices From the Front Lines

Keystone XL and Tar Sands: Voices From the Front Lines Keystone XL and Tar Sands: Voices From the Front Lines

Eriel Deranger of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in Alberta, and Maya Lemon from Nacogdoches, Texas, speak out on struggles of frontline communities fighting tar sands.

Feb 4, 2014 / Blog / Wen Stephenson

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