Democracy is worth fighting for. Here's how

Facts: Fight democratic backsliding ⚖️| Feelings: Unthinkable Resource Hub🫶| Action: Protect democracy🗳️

Welcome to We Can Fix It, where we tackle the climate crisis with facts, feelings, and action. Written by me, climate scientist Kim Nicholas.

Hi friends,

Tough day. I woke up to grim headlines, after finishing a heartbreaking book between 4-5am when I couldn’t sleep (see book recommendation below, though recommendation may be too positive a word!) But: Simon and I heard five birds from our balcony this morning, and we have each other. Hang in there, take care, and keep taking climate action. This month is pretty important, democracy is at stake… read on for how to help.

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Facts: Fight Democratic Backsliding

Democratic backsliding, when “the executive branch amasses power and undermines democratic processes and institutions,” is accelerating globally.

According to the V-DEM project, only 12% of people live in liberal democracies today, and 45 countries are losing indicators of democracy, like freedom of expression.

A new study led by Christoph M. Abels identifies processes that undermine and strengthen democracy.

The researchers draw lessons from six “democratic near-misses” (like 1930s UK, and South Korea 2017), where the slide to autocracy was reversed by judicial, electoral, civil society, political, and/or regulatory action. (That’s good news, reversal is possible!)

Abels and colleagues find an underlying trigger for democratic backsliding is political leaders violating norms. 😬

A state may drift from democracy to autocracy along the black line, driven by political leaders violating democratic norms. Multiple safety layers protect the threshold to autocracy. If counter-measures are successfully applied, they can reverse democratic backsliding. Source: Abels et al., 2024, “Dodging the autocratic bullet”

Pathways to autocracy

Abels and colleagues highlight four pathways to autocracy:

1. Voter disenchantment drives inequality and weakens elections.

2. Right-wing populism undermines checks and balances that protect rights.

3. Misinformation and conspiracy theories drive cynicism and mistrust, weakening participation.

4. Polarization destroys deliberative dialogue and splits society along party lines, where the other side is considered a threat to the nation.

Counter-measures to strengthen democracy

Some counter-measures require political leaders to act, like regulating online media with oversight for algorithms, and effectively sanctioning anti-democratic leaders. (So we gotta elect better leaders, stat! Here’s how to elect bold climate leaders).

But many countermeasures to protect democracy Abels and colleagues identify can be sparked by citizens and civil society groups.

For example, building local coalitions can counter right-wing populism. Building information literacy and supporting reliable media can help counter misinformation. Joining local face-to-face groups where you socialize with diverse people helps counter polarization.

Overall, protecting democracy requires defending democratic institutions, and also everyday engagement in civic life.

Which of these actions are you already doing? Which could you step up? Let me know in the comments.

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Action: Protect Democracy

I’m very worried about democratic backsliding.

Democracy isn’t perfect. I’m reminded of the quote attributed to Churchill, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except all those other forms that have been tried.”

But I believe democracy is worth protecting and defending. I certainly do not want to live in a state where there are no free and fair elections; where individual and minority rights are not protected; or where citizens cannot participate in the process of governance.

Plus, democracy is good for people, and for climate. According to the Greater Good Science Center, people who live in democracies are happier and healthier, and their countries are more peaceful and better governed. A study of 72 studies found that democracies tend to produce better climate policies (though current climate policies still fall far short of what’s needed).

So your actions this month: support democracy.

Support democratic processes

• Elect climate leaders in every election (here’s how).

• Join your local climate group pushing for strong climate policy (here’s how). As we saw above, diverse local coalitions counter populism and polarization.

• Support groups like the Environmental Voter Project, turning climate-concerned people into consistent voters.

Support organizations cultivating democracy

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). An intergovernmental organization advancing democracy, with programs to support independent and resilient elections worldwide, and on climate change and democracy to build effective, inclusive political responses to the climate crisis. (Some of my favorite researchers and leaders are on their expert advisory group!)

Union of Concerned Scientists has worked on climate for over 30 years, including fossil fuel accountability, fighting disinformation, and promoting solutions. They offer resource guides for federal scientists, and evidence-based ways to strengthen democracy.

Be a part of everyday democracy

The historian Timothy Snyder has powerful advice on how to fight for democracy in practice. Some of my favorites:

Choose an institution you care about — a court, a newspaper, a law, a labor union— and take its side.

Take responsibility for the face of the world. Notice the swastikas and the other signs of hate. Remove them yourself and set an example for others to do so.

Make eye contact and small talk. It is part of being a citizen and a responsible member of society.

—Timothy Snyder, excerpted from On Tyranny

It is well worth 10 minutes of your time to watch John Lithgow read Synder’s Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century.

Twenty Lessons, read by John Lithgow

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Feelings: New Resource Hub for All the Climate Feels

I’m a big fan of Dr. Britt Wray’s work at Unthinkable. Britt and team have put together an amazing new guide to help navigate climate emotions, connect with others, and get support.

I took a 1 minute quiz and chose the intentions that applied to me (including “I’ve survived a climate disaster,” “I’m so angry at the state of the world,” and “I’m an educator.”)

Then I got a link to resources, curated by Britt, to help navigate my personal challenges.

Some I’ve already known about and appreciated, like Climate Wayfinding by The All We Can Save Project, 10 Steps to Climate Resilience from Good Grief Network, and amazing resources from the Climate Mental Health Network. Plus lots of new recommendations I’m excited to dive into.

You can take the 1-minute quiz and get your very own personalized care package, or check out the resources Unthinkable suggested for me.

Check out the new Resource Hub for climate emotions, from Dr. Britt Wray and the Unthinkable team.

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Parting Tidbits

Upcoming talks, come see me here

October 15, 18:00-20:00, Grand Malmö: I’ll discuss climate journalism for Publicistklubben Södra with Alexandra Urisman Otto, Karin Arbsjö, and Kersti Forsberg (in Swedish).

October 27, 10:00-12:00, Lund: I’ll join the panel for the book launch of The Long Heat: Climate Politics When It’s Too Late, by Wim Carton and Andreas Malm.

November 22: I’ll give a virtual keynote for the Climate Psychology 2025 conference.

In the news

We had over 1,300 people registered for the Drawdown webinar where we launched the SHIFT climate action guide! Thanks for taking high-impact climate action! You can catch up here:

And check out this fantastic deep dive on SHIFT by Jocelyn Timperley for the BBC!

Book Recommendation

Bewilderment, by Richard Powers. An absolutely gutting, grim, un-put-downable novel about science, grief, democracy, philosophy, the miraculous life we share this planet with, human stupidity and cowardice, and how fragile it all is. A world that feels just enough worse than our own to kick you in the heart, and hopefully towards action to fight for what’s worth saving. I can’t say I enjoyed reading, but I don’t think I’ll soon forget it either.

xo,
Kim