ABOUT
An anthology of creative works devoted to climate justice
and the climate crisis and all issues that intersect.
CONTRIBUTORS
List of Contributors
STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY
Indigenous peoples have been at the forefront of environmental activism
in Canada since colonization. Their continued resistance in the face of racism and
oppression in order to defend land, water and resources as well as preserve livelihood,
culture and sovereignty is what has allowed settlers organizing on the traditional territories
to fight for climate justice today. Settlers and activists, must recognize the violent colonial history
that this land embodies. We are grateful for the privilege and opportunity to come together
and act in solidarity with land and water defenders across Turtle Island.
WE ARE IN A CLIMATE EMERGENCY
When the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
sent the alarm bell in their October 2018 report,
the message was we cannot continue on the same path;
we must dramatically reduce carbon emissions.
In August of 2019, the IPCC’s reported that the additional stress
on land caused by climate change,“exacerbates existing risks to
livelihoods, biodiversity, human and ecosystem health,
infrastructure, and food systems.”
Governments are not responding to the call for
action by the scientific community.
Global Affects of Climate Change, NASA
The situation is urgent and disproportionately affects BIPOC,
and other socially, politically, and economically
marginalized communities, in Canada as well as in other parts of the world.
The fight for climate justice includes reparations for historically
underserved and marginalized communities.
It is up to everyone—including writers and artists—to demand
that governments and institutions act immediately to mitigate this crisis.
We cannot go on business as usual.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Join a climate group. *
Attend protests.
Use your platform to draw attention to the crisis.
Demand action from your politicians.
Alert family and friends to the situation.
HISTORY & MISSION
This anthology came together as a result of a climate
crisis poetry reading organized by Kathryn Mockler
and hosted by Extinction Rebellion
on September 7, 2019.
The line up included Margaret Christakos,
Adam Giles Catherine Graham, Hege Jakobsen Lepri,
Khashayar Mohammadi, Terese Mason Pierre,
Rasqira Revulva, and Todd Westcott.
It was a moving and powerful event.
We needed a platform to share their work,
and so Watch Your Head was born.
It will continue to be a home for climate protest readings
as well as a place to present writing, video, art, music
about climate justice and the climate crisis.
VOLUNTEERING
Contact Kathryn Mockler if you are interested in volunteering.
VISUAL ART EDITORS
Jennifer Dorner
June Pak
LITERARY EDITORS
Madhur Anand
Catherine Bush
Stephen Collis
Francine Cunningham
Catherine Graham
Daniel Lockhart
Kathryn Mockler
Hoa Nguyen
Elena Johnson
Kirby
Canisia Lubrin
Khashayar Mohammadi
Kim Mannix
Terese Mason Pierre
Sina Queyras
Shazia Hafiz Ramji
Rasiqra Revulva
Yusuf Saadi
Trish Salash
Sanchari Sur
Jacqueline Valencia
EDITORIAL COLLECTIVE
All the editors have different roles.
Not all of the editors will be reading submissions.
Some will read from the slush pile, others will be soliciting,
or working on the print anthology, or organizing events.
Please direct any questions to Kathryn Mockler: submissionswatchyourhead[at]gmail[dot]com
*Suggested climate groups:
Fridays for Future, Climate Justice Toronto,
Global Climate Strike, Coast Protectors,
350.org, Greenpeace,
Extinction Rebellion
and more recommendations coming soon.
ESTABLISHED
September 13, 2019
PUBLISHER
Kathryn Mockler
© Copyright 2019
Published by Kathryn Mockler,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ISSN 2563-0067