How climate collapse is reshaping the survivalist movement on the left
A new breed of liberal preppers is swapping guns and bunkers for solar panels, community ties, and emotional resilience in the face of climate collapse.
Aaron Gell reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Climate-focused “ruggedization” courses, like those taught by environmental futurist Alex Steffen, are drawing thousands of left-leaning participants who want to prepare for cascading disasters.
- Unlike rightwing preppers who hoard weapons, lefty preppers emphasize mutual aid, systemic resilience, and the emotional work of accepting collapse.
- Their approach is grounded in science, cooperation, and long-term adaptation, viewing survival not as isolation, but as shared effort in the face of ecological upheaval.
Key quote:
“If you find yourself in a situation where you’re having to let off some rounds to protect your canned goods, you’ve already failed.”
— Alex Steffen, climate futurist, educator, and podcaster
Why this matters:
There's a quiet revolution reshaping survivalism — this time led by climate-conscious progressives who are swapping paranoia for cooperation. For these folks, prepping isn’t reactionary — it’s realistic. It’s not about fear of the other; it’s about responsibility to each other. In a moment when climate grief is almost a rite of passage, that sense of purpose might just be what carries people through.
Read more: We must adapt to climate change. Can we do it in ways that solve other problems too?
