Temporalities of Climate Change

This conference aims to convene scholars from various disciplines that explore the diverse temporal dimensions of global climate change. Discussions on climate change are intricately intertwined with varying perceptions of time that significantly alter our understanding and responses to the pressing problems of the global climate change. For instance, there's a contrast between viewing the future as either open with opportunities for mitigation through human agency or closed with outcomes beyond human intervention and control. Additionally, the perception of continuity or discontinuity in time, exemplified by the Anthropocene concept, highlights the need for ethical responsibilities towards nature, while considering historical disparities among human populations. Urgency is another temporal dimension, with the Paris climate accords' gradual approach contrasting with a more urgent perspective calling for radical shifts to prevent irreversible ecosystem damage. Lastly, considerations on climate change extend beyond the immediate concerns and interests of today's generations to long-term consequences that transcend an individual's lifetime and impact the well-being of future generations. These varying viewpoints shape how individuals and societies perceive and enact meaningful actions addressing climate change, which makes them focal points for the influence of powerful stakeholders. Overall, the conference offers a unique opportunity for scholars to delve into the temporal dimensions of climate change, leading to well-informed policies, long-term solutions, and increased awareness.