DeepSummary
The episode features an interview with Tad DeLay, a philosopher and author of the book 'Future of Denial: The Ideologies of Climate Change.' DeLay discusses how the climate crisis requires expanding the definition of climate denial beyond just conscious rejection of climate science. He argues that denial can manifest in various forms, such as failing to confront the true scale of the problem or ignoring the need for systemic changes.
DeLay emphasizes the importance of understanding the deep connections between capitalism, exploitation, and the climate crisis. He critiques economic models and assessments that often fail to account for non-capitalist futures or the true costs of climate impacts. DeLay also explores the potential for increased barbarism and violence as climate impacts worsen, particularly against vulnerable populations like migrants and protesters.
Throughout the interview, DeLay advocates for a more honest and comprehensive understanding of the climate crisis, one that recognizes the limitations of current approaches and the need for radical changes to address the root causes of the problem. He challenges listeners to confront the full extent of the crisis and the transformations required to mitigate its impacts.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The definition of climate denial should be expanded beyond just conscious rejection of climate science to include various forms of failing to confront the true scale and systemic causes of the crisis.
- Capitalism and the exploitation of workers are deeply connected to the climate crisis, and current economic models often fail to account for non-capitalist futures or the true costs of climate impacts.
- There is a risk of increased barbarism and violence against vulnerable populations like migrants and protesters as climate impacts worsen, and this potential threat must be confronted.
- A more honest and comprehensive understanding of the climate crisis is needed, one that recognizes the limitations of current approaches and the need for radical changes to address the root causes.
- The episode challenges listeners to confront the full extent of the crisis and the transformations required to mitigate its impacts, including potential systemic changes to economic and social systems.
- The book 'Future of Denial' provides a critical analysis of the ideologies and denial surrounding the climate crisis, offering a framework for understanding and addressing the problem.
- The interview highlights the value of interdisciplinary perspectives, drawing insights from philosophy, religious studies, and critical theory to analyze the climate crisis.
- The climate crisis requires a willingness to question and challenge existing assumptions and power structures, as well as a commitment to radical action to mitigate its impacts.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So the simplest way that if I'm going to talk about this very kind of globally, is capitalism is a mode of production defined by the increasing prominence of production through a division of class, right?“ by Tad DeLay
- “Yes, that's essentially my argument there is that we should think of climate denial as a more flexible term designating this broad range of activity. And it's best theorized as a tendency to negate threats.“ by Tad DeLay
- “And what economics is very often doing is trying to find a way to rationalize on paper with a certain set of priors, inputs, who deserves to suffer right.“ by Tad DeLay
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Episode Information
The Climate Pod
The Climate Pod
6/5/24
The climate movement is used to fight denial. Few who do this work escape the need to push back against critics claiming that human-created carbon dioxide emissions don't cause dangerous warming. But as the crisis becomes more clear and everpresent, it's time to expand our definition of climate denial, argues author Tad DeLay. In his new book, Future of Denial: The Ideologies of Climate Change, DeLay confronts the idea that we are rarely facing up to the real facts of the crisis and allowing for a great deal of harm to take place as a result. He joins the show to discuss what the Left often misses when it comes to the facts of climate change, why a more honest conversation is unnecessary, and what he fears most as more people are harmed by both the crisis and the reaction to it.
Tad DeLay, PhD is a philosopher, religion scholar, and interdisciplinary critical theorist. He is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy in Baltimore. He is the author of multiple books, including his latest, Future of Denial: The Ideologies of Climate Change.
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