It's the end of the world as we know it: The advance of climate change from a criminological perspective

Abstract

There has been little meaningful action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, even though it is perhaps the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced. Many assume that meaningful action will only occur once the very harmful effects of climate change become apparent. This chapter draws on the major crime theories to make a rather different argument-that the advance of climate change will reduce rather than increase the likelihood of meaningful action. The chapter first provides brief overviews of the effects of climate change, the inadequate response to such change, and the reasons for this inadequate response. It then discusses certain of the consequences of climate change from a criminological perspective, consequences such as increased strain, reduced control, and greater social conflict. These consequences are said to reduce the ability and willingness of individuals and groups to take meaningful action on climate change. The chapter concludes by describing an alternative, more hopeful narrative.