Nick Engelfried

When the University of Toronto’s School of the Environment announced in October that it will no longer accept donations from the fossil fuel industry, the news sent waves through the growing movement to get coal, oil and gas companies off campuses. Among other things, that means banning fossil fuel corporations from financing academic research.

Despite widespread discouragement among climate activists, a tested blueprint for successful movements shows immense progress being made.

Divesting is as important as ever, but it can now be seen as one plank in a more comprehensive approach climate activists are taking on college campuses.

From sparking the resistance to Keystone XL to erecting the first structure in the Sacred Stone Camp at Standing Rock, Braun was a climate and Indigenous rights movement leader who provided inspiration to thousands and helped train hundreds of people to nonviolently resist pipeline projects.

What’s clear is that, armed with wisdom from the past and a willingness to experiment that has long been a hallmark of youth climate activism, the movement of the future has potential to further re-shape politics in ways most of us can’t even imagine.

On last month’s annual celebration known as Africa Day, activists in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and elsewhere held demonstrations targeting French oil giant TotalEnergies’ involvement in African fossil fuel extraction projects.