How Climate Science Divides Us: Social Dimensions of Climate Change Mitigation

An abundance of scientific evidence is readily available confirming the reality of human-induced global warming and its climate consequences – and the causes. There is also a wealth of evidence regarding what is needed to divert the current climate trajectory which threatens life on the planet as we know it. Given this evidence, climate scientists and activists are frustrated and disappointed by the limited success of climate mitigation policies. Dr Rob Winthrop, a member of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Maryland, has reflected on this conundrum and will discuss his thinking on the reasons for this failure. Dr. Winthrop’s presentation is the focus of the July Southern Oregon Climate Action Now monthly public general meetings.

Winthrop argues that climate change is not an environmental problem; it is a social problem with profound environmental consequences. While acknowledging the soundness of climate science, he questions how the science has been used to shape policies around highly technical objectives (such as “net zero” emissions) that lack social salience and fail to build consensus. He suggests that we should encourage social mobilization for a climate-positive future around shared goals, not beliefs (including a belief in human-caused climate change). Thus, he thinks that rather than focusing primarily on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we should pursue climate action as a co-benefit of other socially desired goals, such as energy efficiency and self-reliance.

There is no charge for attending SOCAN events: https://socan.eco/climate-frustration.