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.

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

Candidate for Governor of Massachusetts

Bob Massie Is Putting Climate and Democracy at the Center of the Massachusetts Governor’s Race Bob Massie Is Putting Climate and Democracy at the Center of the Massachusetts Governor’s Race

If this racial-justice and climate activist wins the nomination, he’ll be on the ballot along with Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Jun 1, 2017 / Wen Stephenson

Shell No Protest

Climate Disobedience in the Time of Trump Climate Disobedience in the Time of Trump

Ken Ward and Emily Johnston are willing to spend decades in prison for shutting down tar-sands oil pipelines. They want you to understand why.

Feb 13, 2017 / Wen Stephenson

Rex Tillerson in Washington

Normalizing Denial: Trump, Tillerson, and Climate Reality Normalizing Denial: Trump, Tillerson, and Climate Reality

A political culture that can accommodate Exxon’s climate denial is a political culture ripe for Trump.

Dec 14, 2016 / Wen Stephenson

Other Universities Are Divesting From Fossil Fuels—but Harvard Is Doubling Down on Them

Other Universities Are Divesting From Fossil Fuels—but Harvard Is Doubling Down on Them Other Universities Are Divesting From Fossil Fuels—but Harvard Is Doubling Down on Them

It’s time for Harvard to kick the carbon lobby out of the Kennedy School. But don’t hold your breath.

May 4, 2016 / StudentNation / Wen Stephenson

What Will It Take To Force a Real Conversation About Climate Change?

What Will It Take To Force a Real Conversation About Climate Change? What Will It Take To Force a Real Conversation About Climate Change?

Naomi Klein, Avi Lewis, and Wen Stephenson discuss the truly transformative change that our climate crisis requires.

Oct 26, 2015 / Wen Stephenson, Naomi Klein, and Avi Lewis

Dispatches From the Front Lines of the Climate Justice Movement

Dispatches From the Front Lines of the Climate Justice Movement Dispatches From the Front Lines of the Climate Justice Movement

The new American radicals know that it’s time to fight like there’s nothing left to lose but our humanity.

Oct 8, 2015 / Feature / Wen Stephenson

Pope Francis confronts the environmental crisis.

How Pope Francis Came to Embrace Not Just Climate Justice but Liberation Theology How Pope Francis Came to Embrace Not Just Climate Justice but Liberation Theology

And how that poses a radical challenge to both climate deniers and mainstream liberals.

Sep 9, 2015 / Feature / Wen Stephenson

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