Rising Tide North America is a radical environmentalist organization that pushes for a “zero carbon” society. for the group takes a “no compromise” position on climate change and pollution, targeting corporations and rejecting environmental remediation solutions proposed by businesses.

The organization is the North American affiliate of the radical environmentalist organization Rising Tide. It is most notable for supporting demonstrations on September 23, 2019, that blocked major transportation routes in Washington, D.C.

Overview and Organization

Rising Tide North America is a decentralized and radical environmentalist group. It seeks to implement a “zero carbon” society with a complete rejection of the modern economy and conventional energy. The organization works to support left-wing social movements and promotes a broad left-wing approach as a part of environmentalism. The organization also rejects solutions that are proposed by businesses. ¹

Rising Tide North America is a fiscally sponsored project of Media Island International. MII provides the group with its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that allows donors to direct money to Rising Tide through MII; Rising Tide North America does not file an independent tax return showing its expenditures. ²

According to the organization, it has 50 chapters in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The group works on a decentralized model where decisions are made by a consensus. ³

Principles

Rising Tide North America campaigns against climate change linking environmentalism to other far-left social policy issues, a tactic branded “climate justice.” ⁴

The organization criticizes a supposedly “capitalist, racist, and patriarchal” society and believes that the disasters that result from climate change amplify the “injustices” of such a society. It believes the only way to protect the environment is to dismantle those systems and replace them. ⁵

It rejects less extreme approaches such as such as the tax-like proposal known as “cap and trade” of carbon emissions. It also rejects any “business friendly” means of combating climate change because it perpetuates free-market capitalism and consumer comfort. ⁶

The organization is opposed to extraction and use of fossil fuels and demands an immediate end of their use and extraction. It also opposes hydroelectric dams and nuclear energy. The only sources of energy the organization supports are wind, solar, and “micro hydro.” It also calls for expanded conservation of energy. ⁷

The organization opposes the Kyoto Protocol because the pact does not reduce carbon emissions fast enough. ⁸

Tactics

Rising Tide North America supports “direct action” which includes civil disobedience and interfering with the operations of energy companies. It supported demonstrations on September 23, 2019, that blocked major roads and intersections in Washington, D.C., in order to demand new action on combating climate change.

In December 2013, activists with the Oregon chapter were arrested after trying to block the shipment of oil from Alberta. The activists chained themselves to disabled vehicles and forced police to unchain them. In total, 16 members of the chapter were arrested. ⁹

History

In the spring of 2006, Rising Tide North America was founded. The original members were also members of the radical environmentalist group Earth First! and other attendees of Mountain Justice Summer. ¹⁰

1. “Our Story”. 2019. Rising Tide North America. Accessed September 23. https://risingtidenorthamerica.org/about-rising-tide-north-america/our-history/.
2.          “Projects”. 2019. Media Island International. Accessed September 23. https://www.mediaisland.org/projects.
3. “Our Story”. 2019. Rising Tide North America. Accessed September 23. https://risingtidenorthamerica.org/about-rising-tide-north-america/our-history/.
4. “Principles”. 2019. Rising Tide North America. Accessed September 23. https://risingtidenorthamerica.org/features/principles/.
5.     “Principles”. 2019. Rising Tide North America. Accessed September 23. https://risingtidenorthamerica.org/features/principles/.
6. “Principles”. 2019. Rising Tide North America. Accessed September 23. https://risingtidenorthamerica.org/features/principles/.
7. “Principles”. 2019. Rising Tide North America. Accessed September 23. https://risingtidenorthamerica.org/features/principles/.
8. “Principles”. 2019. Rising Tide North America. Accessed September 23. https://risingtidenorthamerica.org/features/principles/.
9. Read, Richard. 2013. “Police Arrest 16 As Protesters Delay Tar-Sands Megaload Near John Day”. The Oregonian. https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2013/12/police_arrest_16_as_protesters.html.
10. “Our Story”. 2019. Rising Tide North America. Accessed September 23. https://risingtidenorthamerica.org/about-rising-tide-north-america/our-history/.