Basav Sen joined the Institute for Policy Studies as the Climate Justice Project Director in February 2017. His work focuses on climate solutions at the national, state, and local level that address racial, economic, gender and other forms of inequality.

Prior to joining IPS, Basav worked for about 11 years as a strategic corporate campaign researcher at the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). He has also had experience as a campaigner on the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and global finance and trade issues. As a member of a grassroots neighborhood-based environmental group, he has been involved in local struggles on energy justice in Washington DC.

Latest

COP28 Captured by Oil Producers

The oil and gas industry and its government backers are taking over this year’s global climate talks, with US backing.

REPORT: New Mexico at a Crossroads: False Solutions or a Just Transition?

How community-led energy solutions can benefit the Land of Enchantment — and the country.

Wall Street Won’t Regulate Greenhouse-Gas Emissions by Itself

When it’s a choice between averting catastrophe and making money, Wall Street will always choose making money.

The Greenwashing Scam Behind COP27’s Flop

This year’s UN climate conference offered some reason to celebrate. But the growing clout of the “carbon capture” industry is hindering urgent efforts to clamp down on fossil fuels.

The Greenwashing Scam Behind COP27’s Flop

This year’s UN climate conference offered some reason to celebrate. But the growing clout of the “carbon capture” industry is hindering urgent efforts to clamp down on fossil fuels.

The Climate Legacy of the British Empire

As the global media obsessed over the royal succession, one-third of Pakistan, a former British colony, was underwater.

The Troubling Message of Biden’s Trip to Saudi Arabia

The fossil fuel industry’s global links to political violence and repression couldn’t be clearer. Unfortunately, the U.S. is enabling it.

First the Heatwaves, Now the Flooding. Look to South Asia For a Reminder of Why Climate Action is So Urgent.

The extreme weather events afflicting the subcontinent, made more likely by climate change, show the need to wind down oil, gas and coal use as soon as possible, argue Basav Sen and Tejal Mankad from the People vs. Fossil Fuels coalition.

The Climate Case for Taxing Wealth

Vast fortunes rely on destroying our planet. Taxing those fortunes to fund climate action could give us a shot at survival.

India and Pakistan Are Baking, and Every Powerful Institution Is to Blame

Indians know they can’t rely on elites to save them from catastrophe. That’s exactly what could make a climate movement there so powerful.

Pushing Back on ‘Soft Climate Denial’

The Biden administration claims to “believe the science” on climate, but its actions need to catch up with its words.

Ukraine War Is a Wake-up Call to Ditch Oil and Gas Forever

More drilling doesn’t add up to lower prices anytime soon—it just locks in more carbon. Here’s what to do instead.

Three Hopeful Stories of Environmental Activism

It’s people vs. fossil fuels, and the people are chalking up some impressive wins.

How the U.S. Transportation System Fuels Inequality

Transportation policies prioritizing private vehicle use leave the poor and people of color behind.

Fossil Fueled Foreign Policy: Why COP26 Flopped

Western observers want to blame India for the failure of the UN climate talks. Not so fast.

Rain and Sunshine and Wind

How an Energy Transition Could Power Nebraska

How to Truly ‘Build Back Better’ on Climate

The Build Back Better program isn’t just inadequate on climate—it may be a disaster. Here’s what movements are demanding next.

Why Did a U.S. Envoy Meet With the Head of a Fascist Militia in India?

The fact that India is well on its way to full-fledged authoritarianism hasn’t factored into the Biden administration’s approach to the “world’s largest democracy.”

Biden Made Big Compromises on Climate — and Movements That Backed Him Are Livid

The climate crisis rages on as Biden prioritizes bipartisanship on an infrastructure bill that guts climate action.

Biden Should Reject the Infrastructure Plan Written by Exxon and Invest in Saving the Climate Instead

As disaster after disaster unfolds, any plan that doesn’t tackle the climate crisis with urgency isn’t worth taking seriously.

Project Director

Climate Policy

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    Climate and Labor, Climate Change, climate justice, Climate Organizing

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