How do we counter the growing opposition to climate action?

Like my fellow Guardian journalists, I’ve written extensively about the political power of destructive industries. Across the planet, as deadly heatwaves become the summer norm, causing severe disruption through heat fatalities, wildfires and unprecedented rainfall, decades of hard-won progress are threatened, undermined, or dismantled by a coalition of the wealthy and powerful.

Governments, big oil companies and the finance sector are reneging on climate commitments, and a growing lobby of denial, empowered by far-right politicians, is fuelling anti-green climate movements, turning climate into another weapon in the culture wars.

How have policies and actions to protect the climate been weaponised in this way? And what can we do to counter this new opposition?

On Tuesday 16 September, I’ll be joined by Mikaela Loach, the climate justice activist and author; Emma Pinchbeck, chief executive of the Climate Change Committee; and other experts to answer these key questions. The Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner; and campaigner, Feargal Sharkey, will also deliver special addresses.

I’ve been writing about this for decades and there has never been a more urgent time to come together to learn more about how to face this climate emergency. That’s why the Guardian has also invited Greenpeace; Trees for Cities; and Friends of the Earth, to showcase meaningful initiatives we can all take part in. In-person attendees will have the opportunity to connect with our invited campaign groups.

Because we are independent, we depend on our readers to power our reporting and attending this event is a great way to support the Guardian.

George Monbiot,

Columnist, the Guardian