Embracing Apocalyptic Optimism: Dr. Dana Fisher on Climate Resilience
Season 5: Episode 7
In this final episode of season five, Eric Benson talks with sociologist and American University Professor Dr. Dana Fisher for a frank conversation about the current state of climate action and our political and social futures.
Dr. Fisher introduces her compelling idea of “apocalyptic optimism” and explains why grassroots activism, community resilience, and embracing your anger are key to driving real change, as it’s a “perfectly wonderful time to be shrill.”
From pandemic revelations to personal awakenings, Dr. Fisher shares stories and strategies that will inspire both seasoned climate advocates and curious newcomers. Tune in to learn how you can channel urgency into action, find common ground with your neighbors, and learn why now is the time to do both.
If you want to buy Dana’s new book, use the code CUP20 for 20% off of Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action
About our guest
Dana R. Fisher is a dynamic speaker and author who writes about activism, democracy and climate policy. She is the Director of the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity (CECE) and a Professor in the School of International Service at American University. She is also a Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Governance Studies program at The Brookings Institution and the chair of the Political Sociology section of the American Sociological Association. Her most recent book is Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action (Columbia University Press 2024). In 2024, she delivered a TED talk about being an apocalyptic optimist that is based on the book. She has published seven books and more than 80 chapters and peer-reviewed articles, including in Nature, Science Advances, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). She has presented her work to the US National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, federal agencies, foundations, presidential campaigns, and other political organizations. Fisher served as a Contributing Author for Working Group 3 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Review (IPCC AR6) writing about citizen engagement and civic activism. Her media appearances include ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, PBS Newshour, and various programs on NPR, BBC, and CBC. Her words have appeared in the popular media, including in the Washington Post, Slate, TIME Magazine, Politico, the Nation, Teen Vogue, the Hill, and the American Prospect. She holds a PhD in sociology from University of Wisconsin-Madison and an AB from Princeton University.
Links mentioned in this episode
Dana’s TED Talk on Apocalyptic Optimism
Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action (Use the code CUP20 for 20% off of Saving Ourselves)
Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity
The broader importance of #FridaysForFuture
Climate activism and its effects
Social Media
Music in this episode
Nature sound effect by bbc.co.uk – ©2023 BBC
Climify Theme Song by Casual Motive
The Season 5 Climify Team
Eric Benson (Host)
Bhavna Bhavanishankar (Experience Researcher and Multisensory Educator)
Adam Dziaba (Researcher)
Jacqui Himmel (Multimedia Journalist and Scriptwriter)
Tyler Mayfield (Designer)
Brianna Regione (Social Media Strategist)
Climate Design Assignments
At the end of each episode, we ask our guests what their ideal climate design project would be. They have four weeks with a class full of design students. We translated their response into a project brief that you can use for your class.
