Steel, D., Belotti, G., Mittiga, R., Mintz-Woo, K.

2024

Unknown

Environmental Values

A Dynamic Collapse Concept for Climate Change

In Press

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civilisation collapse climate catastrophe climate collapse climate ethics climate justice collective capacity Florida sustainability state capacity Small Island Developing States

Despite growing interest in risks of societal collapse due to anthropogenic climate change, there exists no consensus about how collapse should be understood. In this article, we critically examine existing definitions and argue that none adequately address the challenges for conceptualizing collapse that climate change presents. We therefore propose an alternative conception, which regards collapse as a reduction of collective capacity resulting in a pervasive and difficult-to-reverse loss of basic functionality. Our conception is dynamic in that it focuses on the interrelations of constituent subsystems. It also distinguishes collapse from transformations needed to address climate change and provides insight into the relationship between collapse and sustainability.

https://doi.org/10.1177/09632719241255857

10.1177/09632719241255857

Other: Not Listed

SSHRC Canada