Climate Change and Anthropos

In this book, anthropologist Linda Connor offers an analysis of planet, people and places in relation to climate change, with a special focus on the Hunter Valley in Australia where she made a study of people's experiences of environmental change. There, coal is a major factor, which is one reason for the author's observations on the relationship between combustion and culture (there are some great cartoons in the text). Increasing numbers of books, especially in these academic series published by Earthscan, are exploring the civilisational implications of climate change as part of the overall human impact on the environment. The anthropological method of participant observation gives important insights into ways of life and thinking in particular localities. It is clear, for example, that the impact of climate change on some communities in the Arctic is already considerable, while in places the reasons for environmental change are more contested and reflect ideas discussed in the media.

It is striking how many of the views quoted from interviews are not in fact informed by science but are still considered to be equally valid by their proponents. This is reflected in cyclical interpretations of climate change, which do not stack up with the latest assessments. More generally, we see a good deal of 'two-track thinking' where acknowledgement of the dangers of human-induced climate change is maintained within the status quo of business as usual. Others try to do their bit as responsible citizens and/or work with their community as activists. It is apparent that Australian federal and local government policies on the environment may be inconsistent, and it is also evident that people in general are concerned about the future of their children and grandchildren. Hence, there is widespread support for policies of precaution and adaptation. The final chapter takes a psychological look at our apocalyptic prospect, framing it in terms of mortality and human finitude giving rise to resistance and denial. Some Christians interpret our situation in accordance with the last things in the Bible, while technically-minded men are inclined towards geo-engineering solutions which many people regard as hubristic; a desperate attempt to preserve our consumer culture without making any fundamental changes.