Wen Stephenson

Contributing Writer

Wen Stephenson is a frequent contributor to The Nation. His new book, Learning to Live in the Dark: Essays in a Time of Catastrophe, is forthcoming from Haymarket in spring 2025.

Bill McKibben and Akaya Windwood on Their New Initative, Third Act

Bill McKibben and Akaya Windwood on Their New Initative, Third Act Bill McKibben and Akaya Windwood on Their New Initative, Third Act

They spoke to The Nation about their generation—and how to get their peers back in the streets.

Oct 25, 2021 / Wen Stephenson

Seeing the Climate Crisis Through the Eyes of Henry Thoreau

Seeing the Climate Crisis Through the Eyes of Henry Thoreau Seeing the Climate Crisis Through the Eyes of Henry Thoreau

“I walk toward one of our ponds,” Thoreau wrote in “Slavery in Massachusetts,” “but what signifies the beauty of nature when men are base?”

Aug 11, 2021 / Feature / Wen Stephenson

Stop the Enbridge Ecocide!

Stop the Enbridge Ecocide! Stop the Enbridge Ecocide!

From Minnesota to Massachusetts, the Canadian pipeline company is engaged in crimes against humanity and the earth—abetted by state power.

Jul 6, 2021 / Wen Stephenson

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 / Q&A / 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 / Q&A / 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

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