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.

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 / Wen Stephenson

A Climate Truth-Tellers Honor Roll of 2013

A Climate Truth-Tellers Honor Roll of 2013 A Climate Truth-Tellers Honor Roll of 2013

What would our national conversation on climate change sound like if this kind of honesty broke through with any regularity?

Dec 24, 2013 / Wen Stephenson

#WeStandWithYou: Young Activists Fast for the Climate

#WeStandWithYou: Young Activists Fast for the Climate #WeStandWithYou: Young Activists Fast for the Climate

At the UN climate conference in Warsaw, a youth-led fast in solidarity with the Philippines is spreading around the world.

Nov 19, 2013 / Wen Stephenson

The Grassroots Battle Against Big Oil

The Grassroots Battle Against Big Oil The Grassroots Battle Against Big Oil

Activists in Texas are connecting the fight against the Keystone pipeline with the struggle for environmental justice.

Oct 9, 2013 / Feature / Wen Stephenson

Tim DeChristopher: There Is No ‘Neutral’ in the Climate Fight

Tim DeChristopher: There Is No ‘Neutral’ in the Climate Fight Tim DeChristopher: There Is No ‘Neutral’ in the Climate Fight

A response to Harvard President Drew Faust by climate activist Tim DeChristopher, now studying at Harvard Divinity School, on fossil-fuel divestment.

Oct 4, 2013 / Wen Stephenson

Yes, Harvard, the Climate Crisis Is an ‘Extraordinarily Rare Circumstance’

Yes, Harvard, the Climate Crisis Is an ‘Extraordinarily Rare Circumstance’ Yes, Harvard, the Climate Crisis Is an ‘Extraordinarily Rare Circumstance’

Harvard tells students and alumni that it will only consider divestment in "extraordinarily rare circumstances." Well, let's see...

Sep 16, 2013 / Wen Stephenson

Dear Chris Hayes: Good Job. Now Let’s Get Real.

Dear Chris Hayes: Good Job. Now Let’s Get Real. Dear Chris Hayes: Good Job. Now Let’s Get Real.

A reaction to Chris Hayes's MSNBC documentary on climate change, The Politics of Power.

Aug 19, 2013 / Wen Stephenson

The Naïveté We Need: Notes on a Climate Action

The Naïveté We Need: Notes on a Climate Action The Naïveté We Need: Notes on a Climate Action

At Sunday’s march on the Brayton Point coal plant in Massachusetts, I was reminded of what it takes for a movement to win.

Jul 30, 2013 / Wen Stephenson

x