Liberalism and the Challenge of Climate Change

Christopher Shaw's book explores how liberalism has shaped our understanding of climate change and how it is legitimized in the face of a crisis that it has no answers to. He identifies five discursive "guardrails" that define the boundary between safe and dangerous ideas about how to respond to climate change and interviews opinion-formers, decision-makers, and campaigners to explore their approach to climate change governance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 14 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In his comprehensive exploration, Christopher Shaw delves into the profound impact of liberalism on our understanding of climate change and its legitimacy in the face of a crisis that it fails to address. The origins of the language and symbolism used to comprehend climate change can be traced back to the post-World War II liberal institutions of the West, where they were developed to neutralize the philosophical and ideological challenges posed by climate change to the foundations of free market liberalism. However, this narrow framing has also limited our ability to envision alternative futures for humanity.

The book is organized around a novel concept, the "guardrail concept," commonly employed in climate science narratives to delineate the boundary between safe and dangerous climate change. Shaw identifies five discursive "guardrails" that serve as a framework for distinguishing between safe and harmful ideas about responding to climate change. This theoretical treatment is complemented by insightful data derived from interviews with opinion-formers, decision-makers, and campaigners, shedding light on the models of human nature and political possibilities that shape their approach to climate change governance.

This book holds immense appeal to students and scholars engaged in the study of climate change, liberal politics, environmental communication, and environmental politics and philosophy. It offers a comprehensive and thought-provoking analysis that sheds light on the complex interplay between liberalism, climate change, and the broader social and political landscape. By examining the ways in which liberalism shapes our perceptions and responses to this critical issue, Shaw provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing our world in the face of climate change.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138615069