Why use deliberative democracy to address climate change?

Science is telling us that we must quickly make changes in the way our society operates to avoid catastrophic consequences.  The more aggressively—and potentially disruptively—we choose to act now, the easier it will be in the decades to come. But we have little idea what policies the majority of the population is willing to implement because we have never had broad, informed discussions on them. The educational components, broad inclusiveness, and emphasis on listening, collaboration and compromise make citizens' assemblies uniquely well-suited for pointing a way forward.  

• Breadth, depth, and intersectionality.  The climate crisis affects the entire fabric of society and is intricately interconnected with other societal issue.  Responding to the climate problem therefore requires consideration of nearly every facet of society so who better to consider these impacts and solutions than a cross-section of society itself?

• Collective problems require collective buy-in.  Active public consent is not just important for the success of any program that involves significant changes to society; it is necessary. Since everyone will have to be part of the solution, everyone should help deciding the solution.   

• No campaigning, no lobbying, and no backdoor influence by special interests: decision making must be by the people in their own interest. It is time to move past the polarizing politics and business interests that have dominated our response thus far. The public deserves a meaningful voice in how decision-makers tackle the existential crisis of climate change.