Organization:Climate Defiance

From HandWiki
Climate Defiance
Formation2023
TypeNGO
Purposedirect action to demand greenhouse gas emission reductions
Founders
Michael Greenberg, Rylee Haught[1]
Websiteclimatedefiance.org

Climate Defiance is a climate movement organization in the United States which uses direct action protests to demand stronger climate change mitigation policies.[2][3][4] The organization also occasionally engages in racial justice organizing.[5][6][7]

The organization most often focuses on protesting Democratic officials and disrupting their events,[8][3][9][10] with the stated goal of shifting the Overton window to make Democrats engage more strongly in climate policy,[11][7] but claims to target 'climate criminals' regardless of their political affiliation,[12][13] protesting bipartisan political events,[14][15] as well as CEOs and corporate events.[16][17]

Though their efforts have gained press attention and previously granted them meetings with Biden administration officials,[18][19] their overall efficacy is disputed, with some claiming their actions are beneficial to the climate movement,[16][20][19] and others claiming they either won't change policy[21][22] or are damaging to the climate movement overall.[23][24][18]

Actions

On April 29, 2023, Climate Defiance disrupted the 2023 White House Correspondents Dinner, protesting the Biden administration's approval of the Willow Project and oil & gas leases in Mexico[25] running counter to Joe Biden's campaign promise of ending oil drilling on federal lands.[1][26] The protestors blocked the main driveway leading to the front entrance, as well as temporarily blocking a side entrance, but attendees later entered through an entrance being protected by DC police[27][1]

On December 8, 2023, they disrupted an event where Exxon CEO Darren Woods would receive an award, by going on stage with a banner saying "Eat Shit, Darren", while calling him a 'monster' and accusing him of greenwashing.[28][29] Darren Woods had previously claimed that Exxon's statements have always been in line with climate science in a U.S. House of Representatives hearing, after an Exxon lobbyist had previously stated in a leaked video that Exxon had fought climate science. [30]

On September 21, 2023, they repeatedly heckled Tommy Beaudreau five times over the same day, citing his signing off on the Willow Project as Deputy Secretary of the Interior.[31][32][20][3] Beaudreau resigned from his position 15 days later. [33]

On October 10, 2023, they disrupted an iMPACT Maryland event where Pete Buttigieg was speaking by getting on stage and chanting 'Stop Petro Pete' among other phrases, and holding a sign with the text "Pete: don't be a climate coward, Stop S.P.O.T. And GulfLink".[34][35][36] S.P.O.T. is the Sea Port Oil Terminal, approved by the Biden administration,[37] and GulfLink is a deepwater oil export project granted a license by the Trump administration.[38] Buttigieg left the stage, and returned shortly after when the protestors had left, approximately 5 minutes later.[39]

On June 19, 2023, they disrupted a talk by U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm,[3] chanting 'No MVP, no LNG, Granholm you are killing me', in response to Granholm declaring a need for new pipelines,[36] and previously supporting the Mountain Valley Pipeline and Alaska LNG Project.[40] Protestors were quickly escorted out, and later claimed they were 'choked', 'slammed', and 'dragged' when being removed.[41][42]

On May 12, 2023, they disrupted an event at George Washington University where Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar was discussing her book The Joy of Politics. Multiple activists interrupted the talk at staggered intervals as part of the audience,[43] and a larger group of activists later walked on stage holding a banner with the words 'End Fossil Fuels' and 'Amy: Which side are you on?', while chanting "Be a climate leader. Live your values".[44] Klobuchar left the stage shortly after, as activists sung "Which side are you on, Amy? Which side are you on?",[45] but returned after the group was removed approximately seven minutes after the on-stage protest had began. Multiple other activists continued interrupting the talk from the audience after she returned.[43]

Climate defiance has also disrupted the speaking events of several other Democratic officials, including Joe Manchin,[46] Jerome Powell,[47][48][49] and Ali Zaidi.[23] After these actions, the group received a private meeting with White House adviser John Podesta.[46][50]

Climate Defiance is supported by Margaret Klein Salamon's Climate Emergency Fund,[23] which provides about half of Climate Defiance's budget.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Curtis, Deja. "Young Climate Activists Lead Blockade at the White House Correspondents' Dinner | Sierra Club". https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/young-climate-activists-lead-blockade-white-house-correspondents-dinner. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jones, Callum (2023-12-26). "New breed of climate protesters vows to take fight to 'cowards' of US politics". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/26/climate-defiance-change-protesters-confrontation. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Jefferson, Nikayla (2023-12-04). "Why a new climate group is heckling powerful Democrats". Yale Climate Connections. https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/12/why-a-new-climate-group-is-heckling-powerful-democrats/. 
  4. ↑ "About Us" (in en-US). https://www.climatedefiance.org/about-us. 
  5. ↑ "Instagram". https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUEgpeCEaYt/. 
  6. ↑ Carleton, Audrey (2026-04-03). "The Common Ground of the Climate and ‘ICE Out’ Movements" (in en-US). https://capitalandmain.com/the-common-ground-of-the-climate-and-ice-out-movements. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Mission" (in en-US). https://www.climatedefiance.org/mission. 
  8. ↑ Gell, Aaron; Nwanevu, Osita; Nwanevu, Osita; Grant, Melissa Gira; Grant, Melissa Gira; Noah, Timothy; Noah, Timothy (2024-01-02). "Democrats and Climate Activists Are on a Collision Course in 2024". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. https://newrepublic.com/article/177572/democrats-climate-activists-collision-course-2024. Retrieved 2024-01-10. 
  9. ↑ Villarreal, Daniel. "Activists heckle Dem politician with knee pads so he can "blow" Donald Trump" (in en). https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/01/activists-heckle-dem-politician-with-knee-pads-so-he-can-blow-donald/. 
  10. ↑ Thomason, John (2024-10-04). "Can shaming the world’s worst ‘climate criminals’ save the planet?" (in en-us). https://grist.org/protest/climate-defiance-public-shaming-climate-criminals/. 
  11. ↑ Connections, Yale Climate (2023-12-06). "Why a New Climate Group Is Heckling Powerful Democrats" (in en-US). https://impakter.com/a-new-group-called-climate-defiance-aims-to-make-investment-in-fossil-fuels-unpopular-with-the-public-and-politically-toxic/. 
  12. ↑ "Instagram". https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYU9ITYTsNE/. 
  13. ↑ Why is Climate Defiance targeting Democrats like Governor Kathy Hochul? Pretty simple: she’s attempting to gut New York’s most crucial climate laws to protect corporate interests. When a livable planet is at stake, principles come before party loyalty. No politician gets a pass. Retrieved 2026-05-30 – via www.facebook.com.
  14. ↑ Papp, Justin (2024-06-10). "Protesters prepare for Congressional Baseball Game as Dems seek redemption" (in en-US). https://rollcall.com/2024/06/10/protesters-congressional-baseball-game-2024/. 
  15. ↑ "User Clip: Barro & Torres protested" (in en-US). https://www.c-span.org/clip/public-affairs-event/user-clip-barro-torres-protested/5175645. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Dickinson, Andrew Perez,Tim (2024-01-26). "The Climate Activists Fighting Off Cane-Wielding Country Club Members" (in en-US). https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/climate-defiance-activists-moynihan-bank-america-biden-1234955026/. 
  17. ↑ Rozsa, Matthew (2024-03-14). ""You're a mass murderer": Climate protesters confront Chevron CEO at gender inclusivity event" (in en-US). https://www.salon.com/2024/03/14/youre-a-mass-murderer-climate-confront-chevron-ceo-at-gender-inclusivity-event/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ogshare&utm_content=og. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Milman, Oliver (2024-04-25). "‘Outrageous’ climate activists get in the faces of politicians and oil bosses – will it work?" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/25/climate-crisis-activists. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Gopal, Keerti. "Like 'em or not, Climate Defiance is determined to get in your face" (in en-US). https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/02/climate-defiance-fossil-fuel-protests-radical-extinction-rebellion/. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Gopal, By Keerti (2024-02-11). "How a Climate Group That Has Made Chaos Its Brand Got the White House’s Ear" (in en-US). https://insideclimatenews.org/news/11022024/how-a-climate-group-that-made-chaos-its-brand-got-white-house-attention/. 
  21. ↑ Peischel, Will (2025-01-13). "How Do You Confront an Administration That Can’t Be Shamed?". Web: The New Republic. https://newrepublic.com/article/190113/climate-defiance-activism-biden-trump. 
  22. ↑ Roberts, Zach D. (2025-01-31). "Protesters Blockade DNC Party Meeting, Demand Democrats Put Workers and Climate First" (in en-US). https://www.desmog.com/2025/01/31/climate-defiance-protesters-blockade-dnc-party-meeting-demand-democrats-put-workers-and-climate-first/. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Osborne, James (2023-10-23). "Behind new wave of climate protests is a desire to 'shake humanity awake'". Houston Chronicle. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/climate-protests-defiance-extinction-rebellion-18434106.php. 
  24. ↑ "Rep. Tom Suozzi confronted on ICE funding Tuesday night" (in en). https://longisland.news12.com/2026/01/29/rep-tom-suozzi-confronted-on-ice-funding-tuesday-night/6qazqnQIPJf3xYWvIJkBYe. 
  25. ↑ Chappell, Bill (2023-03-29). "The Biden administration sells oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico" (in en). NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/03/29/1166802809/gulf-of-mexico-oil-gas-leases-drilling. 
  26. ↑ "Climate Campaigners Stage Blockade at White House Correspondents Dinner | Common Dreams" (in en). https://www.commondreams.org/news/climate-blockade-whca-dinner. 
  27. ↑ Roberts, Zach D. (2023-05-02). "Protesters Blockade White House Correspondents Dinner Over Biden’s Broken Climate Promises" (in en-US). https://www.desmog.com/2023/05/02/protest-blockade-white-house-correspondents-dinner-biden-climate/. 
  28. ↑ "Climate activists disrupt event honouring Exxon CEO Darren Woods". Yahoo News. 2023-12-11. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/climate-activists-disrupt-event-honouring-104940708.html. 
  29. ↑ "Teddy says, “Eat Shit, Darren”" (in en). https://www.xrpathways.org/teddy_says_eat_shit_darren. 
  30. ↑ Daly, -Matthew; Daly, Associated Press Matthew; Press, Associated (2021-10-28). "Exxon CEO denies spreading disinformation on climate change" (in en-us). https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/exxon-ceo-denies-spreading-disinformation-on-climate-change. 
  31. ↑ "So we found the person who approved the Willow project. His name is Tommy Beaudreau and he is a climate criminal. We profoundly disrupted him five times in a single day." (in en). https://x.com/climatedefiance/status/1704934817463140385. 
  32. ↑ "US Department of Interior No. 2 Tommy Beaudreau resigns after being targeted by climate protesters for his approval of the disastrous Willow Project" (in en). 2023-10-19. https://www.climateemergencyfund.org//why-disruption-works/grantee-breakthroughs/us-department-of-interior-no-2-tommy-beaudreau-resigns-after-being-targeted-by-climate-protesters-for-his-approval-of-the-disastrous-willow-project. 
  33. ↑ Puko, Timothy (2023-10-04). "Interior Department’s No. 2 is stepping down" (in en-US). The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/10/04/interior-deputy-stepping-down-tommy-beaudreau/. 
  34. ↑ Blackwell, Penelope (2023-10-17). "Video: Pete Buttigieg's Baltimore talk disrupted by climate protesters". The Baltimore Banner. https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/community/climate-environment/pete-buttigieg-impact-maryland-baltimore-BSHIKIMWVJCQ5EY7E7IZLIX6WU/. 
  35. ↑ Nash, Charlie (2023-10-11). "Pete Buttigieg Chased Off Stage by Climate Protesters: ‘Stop Petro Pete!’" (in en). https://www.mediaite.com/politics/pete-buttigieg-chased-off-stage-by-climate-protesters-stop-petro-pete/. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Irwin, Lauren (2023-10-11). "Climate protesters crash Buttigieg interview, chanting 'stop Petro Pete'" (Text). The Hill. https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4250204-climate-protesters-crash-buttigieg-interview/. 
  37. ↑ Daly, Matthew (2024-04-11). "Environmentalists protest as Biden administration approves huge oil export terminal off Texas coast" (in en). https://apnews.com/article/oil-export-terminal-biden-texas-maritime-administration-bead045561d30b422d2b81fa543fb2a5. 
  38. ↑ Somasekhar, Arathy; Srivastava, Vallari (May 5, 2026). "Sentinel Midstream to begin construction of Texas deepwater oil export port". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/sentinel-midstream-begin-construction-of-texas-deepwater-oil-export-port-2026-05-05/. 
  39. ↑ True, Rick Hutzell,Penelope Blackwell,Brenda Wintrode,Sarah (2023-10-10). "Protesters disrupt Pete Buttigieg’s interview at iMPACT Maryland" (in en). https://www.thebanner.com/community/local-news/pete-buttigieg-impact-maryland-climate-protests-7KK5GH2UTJDCZJQ7BKEF67UBMY/. 
  40. ↑ "Protesters try to disrupt Granholm climate change discussion" (in en). 2023-06-20. https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-granholm-protesters-appearance-michigan-eabd5f25c4c950c24cb0a9d0e5a8e175. 
  41. ↑ Bosotti, Aurora (2023-05-19). "Climate activists 'choked slammed' and dragged out of speech by their heels" (in en). https://www.express.co.uk/news/us/1772303/climate-activists-protest-biden-energy-Jennifer-Granholm-dxus. 
  42. ↑ "'Granholm You Are Killing Me': Climate Activists Disrupt Speech by Biden Energy Secretary | Common Dreams" (in en). https://www.commondreams.org/news/climate-activists-disrupt-granholm-speech. 
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 McAllister, Cade. "Climate activists interrupt senator's book talk, occupy stage". The GW Hatchet. https://gwhatchet.com/2023/05/12/climate-activists-interrupt-senators-book-talk-occupy-stage/. 
  44. ↑ "Climate Activists Heckle Amy Klobuchar Off Stage At Campus Event" (in en-US). 2023-05-12. https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/climate-activists-heckle-amy-klobuchar-off-stage-at-campus-event/. 
  45. ↑ "Climate activists protest at book event for Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), causing her to leave the stage." (in en). 2023-05-12. https://therecount.com/watch/climate-activists-amy-klobuchar/2645889973. 
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "Why Climate Activists Shut Down Journalists' Event With Joe Manchin". The Lever. 2023-06-08. https://www.levernews.com/why-climate-activists-shut-down-journalists-event-with-joe-manchin/. 
  47. ↑ Aratani, Lauren (2023-10-19). "Climate activists force Fed chair Jerome Powell off stage in New York". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/19/climate-change-protest-fed-chair-jerome-powell-fossil-fuels-new-york. 
  48. ↑ Smialek, Jeanna (2023-12-01). "Climate Protesters Get in Fed's Face as Policy Clash Grows Louder". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/business/economy/federal-reserve-climate-protesters.html. 
  49. ↑ Pound, Jesse (2023-10-19). "Climate protesters disrupt start of Federal Reserve Chair Powell's economic speech". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/19/climate-protesters-disrupt-start-of-federal-reserve-chair-powells-economic-speech.html. 
  50. ↑ Catenacci, Thomas (2024-01-02). "Climate activists who chased Buttigieg, Powell off stages rewarded with private White House meeting" (Text.Article). Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/climate-activists-who-chased-buttigieg-powell-off-stages-rewarded-private-white-house-meeting. 



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