Tragedy & farce in climate commentary
New publication
25 April 2023
Professor Ingo Venzke has recently had an article published in the European Review of Books on the current state of climate optimism. Titled, ''Tragedy & farce in climate commentary'', it looks at the over-optimistic debates concerning the climate crisis and suggests this stubborn optimism has become an obstacle rather than a catalyst for action.
The phrase ''it’s not too late'', for me, brings an artificial smile. I stumble onto it as I walk into a bookstore and see the flashy Carbon Almanac (2022) promoted at the entrance, one of many such books to appear in the last, late year. It shouts from the cover: ''It’s not too late''. The refrain is a staple of the genre.Ingo Venzke
The article looks at where we have come from since the Club of Rome’s iconic first report, Limits to Growth, published in 1972 and the latest report published for the 50th anniversary, Earth for all. Professor Venzke also comments on our optimistic hope for international law and its institutions to make progressive change.
Fifty years ago, the writers of Limits to Growth feared societal collapse because of our incapacity to learn before it is too late. Today, Earth for All fears despair and counters it with stubborn optimism.Ingo Venzke