Entrepreneurship and Activism in 2020 | How I Built This with Guy Raz | NPR | Summary and Q&A

Summary

In this episode, the host interviews Varshini Prakash, the founder and executive director of the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led organization working to fight climate change through grassroots activism. Varshini discusses the origins of the movement, its strategies for building a mass movement, and the importance of taking direct action. She also emphasizes the need for political power and the involvement of young people in shaping the future.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you give us some background on the Sunrise Movement?

The Sunrise Movement was launched in 2017 by eight young people under the age of 26. Its mission is to make climate justice rooted in economic and racial justice a priority in America for the first time. The founders were fed up with politicians ignoring the climate crisis and decided to take action themselves.

Q: How did the Sunrise Movement begin organizing and building a mass movement?

The founders of the Sunrise Movement were already involved in climate activism and realized that the power of their movements was not enough to combat the worsening climate crisis. They spent a year studying other social movements and learning how to build mass movements. They also recognized the need to combine social movement organizing with political power. They launched the movement with a theory of change focused on building a critical mass of public officials and a large base of active young people to create long-term change.

Q: How did the Sunrise Movement grow from a small group to a national movement?

The early days of the Sunrise Movement were not as pretty as their actions at Pelosi's office. They started with just a few members scattered across the country. They began by engaging with people at events like the People's Climate March and later gathered top leaders in the climate movement for training. They focused on building local chapters and creating routine opportunities for young people to take action. Their direct action at Nancy Pelosi's office after Democrats took back control of Congress brought them media attention and quickly expanded their movement to over 400 chapters.

Q: Do you draw inspiration from the scaling methods of other movements or organizations?

Yes, the Sunrise Movement looks at other successful movements, like the Tea Party, as models for scaling. They recognize the need to shift the conversation and bring private suffering into the public eye. They aim to create a movement of millions that can challenge business as usual and force institutions to address the climate crisis. While they are discerning about their funders and prefer grassroots donations, they understand the importance of resources in achieving their goals.

Q: Do you believe that building a powerful movement requires playing hardball and taking off the gloves?

Varshini acknowledges the effectiveness of movements like the Lincoln Project in challenging opponents and gaining attention. While the climate movement has faced criticism for its tactics, she explains that disruptive actions can bring private suffering into the public eye and force national discussions. The Sunrise Movement looks to historical movements like the civil rights movement and project confrontation in Birmingham for inspiration and strategic guidance.

Q: How do you engage and mobilize people who are skeptical about climate change or have different priorities?

The Sunrise Movement primarily focuses on engaging people who are already concerned about the climate crisis and want to take action. However, they recognize the importance of reaching out to those who are skeptical or have different priorities. By asking questions, identifying shared values, and making personal connections, they aim to expand their movement and bring more people into the fight against climate change.

Q: How do you raise funds to support the work of the Sunrise Movement?

The Sunrise Movement relies on both grassroots donations and foundation support. They have a robust grassroots donor network and encourage monthly donations to sustain their work. This approach allows them to be less dependent on specific individuals or corporations and more beholden to the everyday people they aim to organize.

Q: Are you willing to accept money from corporations or big funders to amplify your voice?

The Sunrise Movement is discerning about the sources of their funding and prefers grassroots donations. They aim to make the most of their resources and believe that a lot can be accomplished even with limited funds. However, they remain open to funding opportunities that align with their mission and values.

Q: Can the Sunrise Movement achieve its goals by shifting the conversation and standards of the Democratic Party?

Varshini explains that the movement aims to create a new center of gravity in the conversation around climate change. By influencing politics and shifting the conversation, they hope to move the entire country toward a more urgent and comprehensive approach to addressing the climate crisis. They are focused on staying true to their mission and building a powerful movement that can drive change.

Q: How would you respond to people who believe compromise with Republicans on climate change is possible?

Varshini argues that the entire conversation around climate change has been pulled so far to the right by conservative forces that the middle ground is now undesirable. Progress on addressing climate change requires shifting the conversation and pushing for more ambitious action. The Sunrise Movement emphasizes the importance of holding politicians accountable, regardless of party affiliation, and electing leaders who will fight for communities and take climate change seriously.