By Nayesha Khurana
On Tuesday, September 29th, author and UC Santa Barbara Professor Leah C. Stokes joined UBC Professor Kathryn Harrison at the Franklin Lew Forum for a discussion of her book, The Carbon Wave: A Story of Democracy, Parenthood, and the Race to Protect Our Planet.
This event was organized in collaboration between the Department of Political Science, the Centre for Climate Justice, and the UBC Climate Solutions Research Collective.
This event was recorded, and you can view the full session on YouTube.
Below are a few takeaways from the discussion, including an exploration of how collective action can turn climate ambition into policy.
Moving from a carbon footprint to a carbon wave
Throughout the discussion, Stokes challenged the emphasis on individual carbon footprints as the main response to climate change. She argued that this framing is flawed as it places responsibility on individuals while drawing attention away from the fossil fuel systems that shape their choices.
She introduced an alternative, a “carbon wave,” which focuses on people acting together to change those systems. Through organizing, advocacy and public pressure, individual contributions can become part of a much larger movement capable of influencing climate policy.
As the discussion moved forward, Stokes encouraged audience members and readers to consider how their efforts could help change the infrastructure and policies that determine how energy is produced and used.
Electrification offers a practical focus for action
Stokes highlighted replacing fossil fuel equipment with electric alternatives as a concrete way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Some examples mentioned included electric vehicles, heat pumps and equipment used in industrial processes.
She also emphasized the importance of making these changes accessible. For example, discounts applied at the point of purchase could help households afford heat pumps, while policies supporting domestic manufacturing could connect climate action with employment. This discussion helped give the audience practical examples of how policy can help people participate in the transition.
This conversation extended beyond homes and cars to other opportunities such as ones in industrial activities like food processing. Stokes explained that electrification also has a role in industry. Heat can be supplied by electric equipment for activities such as pasteurizing milk or brewing beer. These processes offer opportunities to replace fossil fuels in manufacturing, extending the transition beyond household heating and transportation.
Setbacks do not erase progress
Stokes pointed to the continued growth of clean energy and the survival of parts of the Inflation Reduction Act as reasons for hope, despite political opposition and policy rollbacks.
In her discussion, she connected the urgency of protecting future generations with the growing need to achieve change. While progress may be uneven, organized and sustained engagement can still produce meaningful results.
Stokes also shared the connection between clean energy investments and building support for protecting climate policy, including among politicians whose communities benefit from those investments. Her arguments suggested legislation can create changes that are difficult to reverse completely, even when the political environment becomes less supportive.
Key Takeaways
- Collective action can change systems: Individual efforts gain greater influence when people organize around shared goals. Advocacy and public pressure can help change the policies and infrastructure that shape how communities produce and use energy.
- Electrification needs accessible and thoughtful policies: Making heat pumps, electric vehicles and industrial equipment more affordable can broaden participation in the transition.
- Setbacks do not erase progress: Political rollbacks can weaken climate action, but clean energy investments can build lasting support for change. Recognizing these gains while continuing to organize offers a practical basis for hope.
