Hope and Courage in the Climate Crisis

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Facing a Harsh Climate Future with Eyes Wide Open

   • John Wiseman

   Pages 1-18

3. Beyond Denial and Despair: Honesty and Action on the Climate Change Front Line

   • John Wiseman

   Pages 19-35

4. Remembering Magnificence: Collective Action and the Beauty of the Earth

   • John Wiseman

   Pages 37-60

5. Caring for Country: Indigenous and First Nations Learning About Survival, Resilience and Resistance

   • John Wiseman

   Pages 61-76

6. Cooling the Fevered City: Reason and Hubris in Greek and Enlightenment Philosophy

   • John Wiseman

   Pages 77-98

7. Illuminating the Patterns of Domination: Critical Theory, Modernity and Power

   • John Wiseman

   Pages 99-121

8. Mercy to All Beings: Learning from Christian, Jewish and Islamic Traditions About Thankfulness, Love and Care

   • John Wiseman

   Pages 123-144

9. This World Is but a Dew Drop World….and yet….: Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian Learning About Suffering, Impermanence and Compassion

   • John Wiseman

   Pages 145-165

10. Living Ecologically: Understanding and Respecting Complexity and Fragility

    • John Wiseman

    Pages 167-193

11. How the Light Gets In: Imagining and Creating Just and Resilient Zero-Carbon Worlds

    • John Wiseman

    Pages 195-210

12. The 2050 Zero-Carbon World Oration

    • John Wiseman

    Pages 211-225

13. The Laughter of Children, the Roar of the Ocean: Concluding Thoughts and Questions

    • John Wiseman

    Pages 227-231

14. Back Matter

    Pages 233-278

    PDF

As the risks of the climate crisis continue to grow, so too do the challenges of facing a harsh climate future with honesty and courage; justice and compassion; meaning and purpose. 


Hope and Courage in the Climate Crisis explores diverse sources of learning and wisdom –from climate scientists and activists; philosophers and social theorists; Indigenous cultures and ways of life; faith based and spiritual traditions; artists and writers –which can help us live courageous, compassionate and creative lives in a world of rapidly accelerating climatic and ecological risk.


Accelerating the transition to a just and resilient zero-carbon society will require visionary leadership and courageous collective action. Awareness that rapid action might still be insufficient to prevent severe and irreversible social and ecological damage is however a source of deep concern for many people passionately committed to decisive climate action. 


Drawing on broad experience as a climate activist, researcher and policy maker John Wiseman provides a wide ranging, accessible and provocative guided tour of ideas which can inspire and sustain radical hope and defiant courage in the long emergency which now lies before us.

• climate change
• climate change impacts
• climate change scenarios
• climate change mitigation
• climate tipping points
• climate change challenges and risks
• climate crisis
• climate justice
• sustainability
• sustainable zero-carbon future
• climate grief
• Extinction Rebellion
• climate activism
• what can I do about climate change

"A vitally important book." 


(Prof Tim Flannery, author of Here on Earth (2010))





“This valuable book will help you gain the courage needed to continue the fight against climate change and its increasing impacts. Even as a climate expert I learnt many important lessons from these multiple philosophical and religious perspectives.”

(Prof David Karoly, climate scientist, University of Melbourne, Australia)


“Hope and Courage in the Climate crisis: Wisdom and Action in the Long Emergency is a must read for anyone coming to terms with the climate crisis that the scientists tell us we cannot avoid in the coming decades. Uncompromisingly honest yet always compassionate to the human condition, Wiseman offers not simple solutions, but an enriching discourse grounded in history, philosophy and the great spiritual traditions. Grounded in optimism, Wiseman’s well referenced book draws together contemporary literature and societal movements to provide a bird’s eye view of the intersection of climate science and the most urgent need for societal transformation. This generous book is leading the way forward, beyond the existing apocalyptic climate change literature, to offer hope and tangible solutions underpinned by a faith in humanity’s interminable capacity for restoration.”


(Assistant Prof Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Adviser, Beyond Blue and Associate Professor in Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia)

• Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

  John Wiseman

John Wiseman is a research fellow at the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute and the Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne, Australia. His current research and policy work focuses on strategies for restoring a safe climate and accelerating the transition to a just and resilient zero-carbon society.

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