Nico Stehr: “Exceptional Circumstances: Climate Change and Governance”

“Exceptional Circumstances: Climate Change and Governance” Presenter: Nico Stehr, FRSC, Karl Mannheim Professor of Cultural Studies at the Zeppelin University, Germany and International Research Affiliate of the Prentice Institute A large gap exists between what we know and the actions we take with respect to climate change. This is seen by some as an “inconvenient democracy.” The gap between knowledge and action gives rise to a couple of assertions. On the one hand, opposition between advances of specialized knowledge and the commitment of individuals to change their behaviour leads to the diagnosis of an “inconvenient mind.” The failure of large social institutions to respond in a timely fashion to the advances of climate change knowledge leads to a diagnosis of “inconvenient social institutions.” The dual gap between knowledge and action -- at the individual and collective level – implies an “inconvenient democracy.” Climate scientists and other scholars may be convinced that curtailing democratic liberties is the appropriate political frame within which climate change policies must be enacted. Moderator: Susan McDaniel Ph.D., FRSC, Director, Prentice Institute & Canada Research Chair in Global Population & Life Course, Prentice Research Chair & Professor of Sociology