Dr. Jonathan Feldman Presents TEDx Brussels Talk on Climate Activism 3.0
The talk addresses how climate communication and policy can move beyond despair and fragmentation toward more effective forms of collective action.
Dr. Jonathan Feldman, Associate Professor at the Department of Economic History and International Relations, delivered a TEDxBrussels talk in November entitled Climate Activism 3.0.
Drawing on social science research and decades of activism, Feldman argues that climate politics has become trapped in silos between consumers, activists, businesses, and policymakers, leading to backlash, burnout, and stalled progress. He proposes a new framework for change based on three interacting mechanisms: universal constraints, systemic conversion and cooperation, and environmental mobilization.
The talk challenges “doomscrolling” narratives and instead emphasizes the importance of building what Feldman calls “incubators of hope.” These are institutions and movements that make sustainable choices easier, socially supported, and economically viable. Examples range from historical environmental mobilizations to contemporary struggles over transport, industry, and energy transitions.
Last updated: 2026-02-18
Source: Department of Economic History and International Relations