A New Language of Climate Change
Rebranding Climate Change, A Realist Perspective
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Bayard Rogers
Academia and science have been debating for years how to define the current climate crisis adequately. We have seen a terminology change from global warming to climate change, while multiple reports continue to suggest the two terms activate different sets of beliefs behaviors and perceptions of urgency regarding response towards the issue. Still, clear-eyed analysis and compelling research appear to fall short of the mark when it comes to modification of human behavior and habit concerning the environment. There is little room or time left to continue crafting politically sensitive lexicons. What is clear now is that a semantic shift needs to occur to address the current state of the climate, and this article aims to do so from a realist point of view. Climate change is more comparable to conflict than it is a condition. Political and moral philosophies emphasizing individual autonomy, equal opportunity, and the protection of individual rights, are arguably obstructing change in climate matter by encouraging a culture of privilege and leniency. In today’s dialogue, political correctness, data overload, and resentment overshadow truthfulness and straightforwardness. Considering the global population, scientists and politicians are the minority, and their conversation excludes the multitudes mostly responsible for the crisis. The problem and solution might well lay in the ability of these experts to reach the appropriate target audience.
The Anatomy of Climate Denial: The Case of Japan
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Makoto Usami
From the United States to Indonesia to Saudi Arabia, claims of climate denial have been widely observed. Climate denial refers to two types of rejection of scientific knowledge on the current climate change: some deniers wholly reject the fact that changes in the Earth’s climate have occurred since the late ninetieth century, while others concede this fact but deny the idea that these changes are caused by human activity. As dramatic setback in climate change policy under the Trump presidency eloquently illustrates, climate denial’s penetration of constituencies can give massive impacts on the government’s mitigation policy. It is thus of great importance to figure out the mechanism that lies behind such rhetoric. As regards climate denials found in the United States, it is frequently pointed out that major advocates in this camp include right-wing media, rightist think tanks, and conservative politicians financially backed up by coal and oil businesses. The similar appears to apply to denial positions in other societies as well. However, there exists a notable exception: Japan. In that country, climate denial warnings have been enthusiastically sounded by a number of scientists, as well as self-proclaimed scientists, and supported by a substantial portion of the general public. On the other hand, even conservative politicians seldom deny climate change and its anthropogenic causes, and a growing number of private companies have recently joined international business networks aiming zero emission. This paper seeks to examine what political, social, and cultural mechanisms work behind such a puzzling situation in contemporary Japan.
The Climate is Changing, Why Aren't We?: An Exploration of Climate Change Policy in Ontario, Canada with Highlighted Case Studies
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Joseph Merrett
If we accept the climate change predictions projected in the Canada’s Changing Climate Report (CCCR-2019) it could be strongly argued that with an ever-growing population and an increasing demand for fossil fuels, the future is going to present challenges to the current way of life for the human beings on this planet. Drawing on selected examples from climate change policy, my presentation will examine how far we have gone in addressing the issues of anthropogenic (GHG) emissions, providing case studies from Canada and, more specifically, the Province of Ontario. What are the challenges facing citizens of Ontario, Canada; what are the solutions being offered by our varying levels of government; and do those solutions adequately address the challenges?
