If I can’t dance I don’t want to be part of your revolution!
Reflecting on Dominique Palmer’s Vision for a Climate Joy Revolution
I recently had the opportunity to attend a talk by Dominique Palmer, a truly inspiring voice in the youth climate movement, hosted by The School of Social Entrepreneurs. This post is a bit of a scrappy collection of my notes and recollections, and I know I haven’t captured everything—any omissions or errors are entirely my fault. That said, I wanted to share the essence of what Dominique spoke about, as her words left a lasting impact on me.
Dominique spoke to the connection between climate justice and social justice. Dominique shared her personal journey of realising that people in her neighbourhood growing up —predominantly black and brown communities—were disproportionately affected by poor air quality. This insight sparked her interest in the climate movement and fuelled her passion for fighting the unfair burdens placed on those already facing significant challenges. She pointed out, people who are marginalised or living in poverty often bear the brunt of pollution and environmental harm. It’s not just about reducing carbon emissions; it’s about ensuring that the most vulnerable are not left behind….Reflecting on a recent government stats, around 13% of people in the UK are living in fuel poverty and if you look at other sources, it could even be as high as 34%.
Dominique talked about how climate change and equality issues are deeply intertwined, and how addressing both is key to creating lasting solutions. She stressed the importance of giving a platform to those who are on the front lines of the climate crisis, and of involving people from the global south in shaping the solutions. Their lived experience offers invaluable insights into the real-world impacts of climate change. It’s essential that we make space for them in the decision-making processes and collaborate to create solutions that are rooted in real needs.
Dominique is a key figure behind Climate Live Youth, an incredible organisation that uses music and climate concerts to bring young people together and raise awareness. Their solar-powered bus travels with activists, creating opportunities for conversations about climate justice in communities all over the world. One of her key messages was the importance of making activism joyful. She famously said, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.” For Dominique, activism isn’t just about protests and anger—it’s about hope, joy, and celebration. She spoke of Climate Joy—a concept that centres on hope and positivity as key drivers for long-term change. While rage and anger are important motivators, joy is what sustains the fight.
This idea of joy as a vital element of activism really resonated with me, especially when I think about The Mossy Carpet. The act of walking the artwork, made by so many people celebrating their own climate action, is a reflection of the beauty of collective hope and the shared journey and commitment to a better world. It’s an experience that fills you with purpose and energy, and it’s something I think we all need more of in the climate movement.
In her talk, Dominique shared some practical advice for those of us working in the climate and activism space. One of her key points was to pay people to be involved. Even if it’s just to cover expenses, we need to acknowledge that volunteering is a privilege, and not everyone can afford to work without pay. If we want diverse voices and experiences in the movement, we need to make sure that involvement is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. She also encouraged us to stay connected to the front line of the climate crisis, so that we are always in touch with what’s really happening and what needs to be done.
Dominique spoke about the importance of co-creating solutions with people from diverse backgrounds. She pointed to the need for community energy projects to engage more deeply with broader climate action groups, ensuring that the solutions we develop are grounded in the needs and experiences of the communities that will be most affected by climate change.
On COP30, Dominique had some interesting thoughts. She believes that this upcoming COP could be just as pivotal as the Paris Climate Agreement or the Kyoto Protocol, especially when it comes to discussions around climate finance and reparations. Climate Live Youth will be at COP30, collaborating with Brazilian and other international artists, and working to make sure that the voices of young people are heard. They are aiming to push polluters out of COP, making sure that the conversations there reflect the realities of those who have suffered the most from climate change.
Dominique’s talk was a powerful reminder of the importance of joy, hope, and inclusivity in the climate movement. She inspired me to think about how we can all create more space for diverse voices, build stronger connections between communities, and bring more joy into our activism. In the end, it’s about ensuring that the fight for climate justice is one that is truly for everyone—a movement where no one is left behind, and where hope and joy propel us toward the better world we all want to create.