In the United States, we’ve become accustomed to climate issues — like nearly everything else — being politicized. Even when potential solutions might benefit everyone, politicians act with an us-vs.-them mentality. In what’s called a zero-sum game, each side acts as if winners on one side will necessarily result in losers on the other. These political practices can distort our democracy — and our ability to respond to the climate crisis in a way that could benefit everyone.

But does it have to be this way? Can we look to England and elsewhere for other, better models? Is it even possible to make the whole planet a winner?

How can activists build climate action support that is effective and enduring? What do social cues and structures do to shape our response to the climate crisis? And how is addressing climate change a democratic challenge?