Abbey Abramson

  Fossil fuel energy policy capture What the numbers do not show: social and narrative capture Not all capture is in budgets and contracts. Narrative capture, through well-funded campaigns that emphasize short-term price relief or job creation while downplaying disaster risk, can crowd out support for vital investments, such as higher-elevation culverts, pump operation and maintenance, and community mangrove stewardship. TI’s latest CPI commentary highlights how fossil interests use money and media to silence critics and weaken safeguards. The public is told the grid is in crisis, while broken drainage beneath their feet remains unfixed. Residents living with these systems express a different reality. One local community member remarked, 'Every rain leaves our streets flooded and impassable, yet they tell us new power plants are the priority. It's as if our daily struggles are invisible.' This grassroots view challenges fossil-funded narratives and highlights the urgency fo...

  Forests, Indigenous Peoples, and the Amazon Forests, Indigenous Peoples & the Amazon: Why the COP in Brazil Was Both Symbolic and Controversial The decision to host the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Pará, Brazil — at the edge of the Amazon Rainforest — was more than logistical. It was symbolic: a global climate summit in the world’s largest tropical rainforest, with visible Indigenous leadership, in the heart of frontline-ecosystem concerns. Yet the summit’s forest outcomes were deeply ambivalent —marked by both noteworthy pledges and serious gaps—making the host location both powerful and problematic. This article unpacks why the Amazon spotlight mattered, what the significant forest-related results at COP30 were, how Indigenous and local-community rights figured in the negotiation, what was not achieved (or only partially so), and what this all means for frontier regions, justice-oriented climate action, and your own focus on meaningful ...

  Corruption supercharges the climate crisis. From risk to reality: how corruption magnifies climate harm Picture a climate project as a chain. Each link—prioritization, design, budgeting, procurement, construction, maintenance, and monitoring—can add strength or introduce failure. According to the IPCC, effective governance is crucial at each stage. For example, prioritization and design require inclusive decision-making to ensure resilience against specific local climate risks (IPCC AR6). Similarly, transparent budgeting and procurement processes are crucial in preventing the misallocation of funds, which can compromise project integrity (IPCC AR6). Agenda-setting and prioritization If protection decisions are made by political loyalty rather than exposure and need, flood defenses follow influence rather than risk. Communities in the storm’s path wait as ribbon-cuttings happen elsewhere. The UNDP’s early work on climate and corruption highlighted these governance faults in adapta...

  Youth and climate change adaptation policy Understanding the Role of Youth in Shaping Climate Policy Youth activism has become a powerful force that influences climate policy worldwide. Young people have demonstrated their ability to challenge decision-makers, propose innovative solutions such as community-based renewable energy projects, sustainable urban planning, and climate education programs, and demand accountability in addressing the climate crisis.  From grassroots movements to international advocacy, young people drive policy changes that prioritize climate justice, sustainability, and equity. This section provides an overview of existing policies influenced by youth activism, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping the global climate agenda. The Rise of Youth Climate Advocacy Youth climate activism has transcended borders, gaining international prominence with movements like Fridays for Future, led by Greta Thunberg, and Youth Climate Strikes, which have mobiliz...

Climate education and awareness campaigns Engaging in Peer Education and Awareness Campaigns Peer education and awareness campaigns are powerful tools for empowering youth to address climate change. They allow young people to educate their peers, share ideas, and mobilize collective action. In recent years, social media has emerged as a transformative platform for these campaigns, amplifying the voices of young people and expanding their reach far beyond traditional methods. This section examines how social media has revolutionized peer education, highlighting examples of successful youth-led awareness initiatives that demonstrate the impact of these efforts. The Role of Social Media in Peer Education Social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, have become central to youth-led peer education campaigns. They offer accessible, cost-effective tools for sharing information, organizing events, and inspiring action on climate issues. Young people increasingly r...