Ecotopias Now! Awakening a Utopian Dream for a Habitable Planet
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2022-08-15
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en
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The effects of anthropogenic climate change are being felt around the world and are increasing in intensity. Scientific research has warned the public of a likely increase in natural disasters such as droughts, floods and storms. The question remains whether our political institutions can contain the impacts and possibly even prevent a climate catastrophe. There are many ways to discuss the complexity of climate solutions and roadmaps for carbon neutrality; however, one approach to the debate often faces headwinds, namely the idea of incorporating utopian thinking to imagine a better future world, one in which the pressing problems are "solved". In my paper, I will attempt to present the theoretical discussion of the concept of utopian thinking by highlighting the theory's strongest political-theoretical opposition, coming from political realism, and from the claim that utopianism is "purely ideological." In this way, I provide a theoretical legitimacy for the theory, which I then use in addressing the specific issue of climate change. I draw on both Marius de Geuss's theory on eco/utopian thinking and practical examples of the application of eco/utopian thinking in real life to hopefully demonstrate the strong potential of utopian thinking in the fight against climate change.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen