Addressing the Irrational Drivers of the Climate Crisis
Surplus Repression and Destructive Production
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Abstract
An increasing number of scientists have illustrated how economic growth is an underlying driver of the climate crisis. This article examines how associated levels of excess work, production, and consumption repress human flourishing and drive global warming. Drawing from the work of Herbert Marcuse and André Gorz, we discuss the irrationality of a system of excess work, production, and consumption in terms of unnecessary human repression and environmental destruction. In the context of the climate crisis, this system becomes even more irrational as it threatens the habitability of Earth for humans. We examine work-time reduction and related sufficiency measures as a rational response to the climate crisis.
Contributor Notes
Diana Stuart, PhD is an associate professor in the School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability at Northern Arizona University. Her research examines the social and political context of climate change solutions as well as climate mitigation and adaptation in diverse social-ecological systems.
Brian Petersen, PhD is an associate professor in the Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation at Northern Arizona University. His research and published work focuses on climate change adaptation and landscape level conservation. His work draws on both social and natural science perspectives to interrogate contemporary natural resource and environmental challenges.
Ryan Gunderson, PhD is an associate professor of sociology and social justice in the Department of Sociology and Gerontology at Miami University. His current research projects concern the potential effectiveness of proposed solutions to environmental problems; the social dimensions and environmental impacts of technology; and the renewal of classical and mid-twentieth century sociological theory.