Photo Credit: Colette Pichon Battle. From left to right, LNS Board members Colette Pichon Battle, Nayyirah Shariff, Liz Ratzloff, and Jacqui Patterson
By LNS Co-Executive Director Liz Ratzloff
This past December, I had the privilege of traveling to four incredible cities across the globe to discuss how we can build the power necessary to challenge the fossil fuel industry, strengthen worker power, and protect our planet. Each stop underscored the urgency of our mission and the shared struggles we face in this fight.
My first stop was Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a city with a deep labor history rooted in its industrial past. We talked about the importance of a just transition—and how we can better plan for ending fossil fuel extraction in a way that supports workers and communities. Pittsburgh’s legacy of generating energy and denigrating the environment provided a rich backdrop for these discussions.
Next, I traveled to Washington, D.C., where we met with allies in the climate movement to emphasize the importance of labor and collective action in countering corporate power and navigating the dangers posed by the new administration. The conversations were dynamic, and the timing was fitting—my next stop would provide a striking real-world example of the power of organized labor.
In Seoul, South Korea, I witnessed history as labor unions staged a massive strike in response to the president’s abuse of power, culminating in his impeachment. This extraordinary display of working-class solidarity mirrored the very principles we had been discussing with our allies in D.C. It was a humbling reminder of the strength of collective action.
Finally, I spoke at a just transition conference in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Like Pittsburgh, Kaohsiung has an industrial legacy marked by environmental degradation. We explored ways to build coalitions between communities, environmental justice movements, and labor unions to forge a sustainable and just future.
People all over the world want an ecologically sustainable and economically just future.
We just need to get organized.