CLIMATE ONE: Protest and Beyond: Annie Leonard On What You Can Do

CLIMATE ONE: Protest and Beyond: Annie Leonard On What You Can Do

Author: Commonwealth Club of California May 15, 2026 Duration: 56:09
Protest is the ultimate in equal-opportunity political action. As Annie Leonard, former executive director of Greenpeace USA says, "Making change is like laying a stone path across the garden. Peaceful protest may be every 4th or 8th or 200th stone; it helps us get where we want to go but also we need a lot of other stones too.”  Leonard explores the history of protests in her new book “Protest: Respect It. Defend It. Use It.”  And while protest is the loudest and most visible tool, it’s only one of many ways to take action. Through community building, through civic engagement, through elected office, through corporate boardrooms, through churches and nonprofit agencies, there are countless paths to exercising power and promoting positive change. In this episode we hear from three leaders working in three different arenas, all toward the same goal. Guests: Annie Leonard, Environmental Activist, Author of “Protest: Respect It, Defend It, Use It” Danielle Lee, Founder, Climate Action Club  James Coleman, City Councilor, South San Francisco For show notes, transcript, and related links, visit ⁠climateone.org/podcasts⁠ Highlights: 00:00 – Intro 04:00 – Annie Leonard shares the story of the Section 504 sit-ins protest in San Francisco 06:30 – Different ways protest can be effective 08:30 – Leonard on why she puts her body on the line (gets arrested) during protests 16:00 – Leonard on the lawsuit Energy Transfer brought against Greenpeace USA over Standing Rock protests 22:00 – Protecting, defending, and using the right to protest  26:00 – Danielle Lee on organizing younger people around climate and environment  30:30 – Systemic versus personal action 37:00 – James Coleman on the decision to run for office as a tool for effective change 41:00 – Impact of local government  46:30 – How change actually happens 50:00 – Climate One More Thing ********** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at ⁠patreon.com/ClimateOne⁠.  Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For nearly a century, the Commonwealth Club of California Podcast has served as a vital platform for civic dialogue, directly from the nation's largest public affairs forum. Each episode captures live, thoughtful conversations with leading voices from across the political spectrum and various fields, all committed to exploring the most pressing issues of our time. As a nonpartisan and nonprofit operation, the Club’s priority is substance over soundbite, fostering a depth of discussion that is increasingly rare. You’ll hear authors, policymakers, scientists, and cultural figures engage in nuanced debates and detailed analyses, reflecting a genuine diversity of perspectives. This isn't just a recording of events; it's an ongoing, accessible chronicle of American and global thought. The audio you find in this podcast feed originates from the longest-running weekly radio broadcast of its kind in the United States, a tradition started in 1924, now shared with a modern audience. Updated frequently throughout the week, the feed ensures you have direct access to a forum where complex ideas about government, society, and current events are given the time and respect they deserve. Tune in for a consistently enlightening experience that challenges assumptions and provides context far beyond the daily headlines.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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