The climate apology draws on the following disciplines and theories. This is not an exhaustive reading list as specific sources are referenced in the individual blogs.
Climate Science
The climate apology is based on the scientific findings and assumptions of the reports of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). User-friendly summaries of the reports for non-scientists can be found in the FAQ pages and summary formats. Reports — IPCC
The En-ROADS Climate Simulator is a fascinating tool to understand the range of mitigation policies required to keep global warming between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius.
Social systems thinking
As a social worker, I've been educated in and used systems thinking to analyse and understand various social justice issues. It's an important lens to understand the roles and dynamics between individuals and entities in climate mitigation efforts. For climate-specific material, see:
The Donella Meadows Project for a full collection of her work on systems dynamics in climate change.
Dr. Elizabeth Sawin, co-founder of Climate Interactive, developed the concept of Multisolving. See here for a great introduction to her work
Internal Family Systems (IFS) thinking
The character of our armchair environmentalist is drawn from the work of Richard C. Schwartz, who applied family systems therapy to understanding our internal world of sub-parts that influence our behaviour and decision making. See:
R.C Schwartz (2021) No Bad Parts. Publisher - Sounds True
For an excellent layperson's view of IFS, see the 2015 Pixar cartoon 'Inside Out'.
Obviously, our AE also draws on the common expression for our habit of pontificating about what others should do in the field of sports, politics and now the environment, while we lounge comfortably on our sofa. I grew up in Australia under the influence of 'Norm' from the Life. Be in it campaign.
Apologies
Apologies have long been used as a tool to repair individual and societal damage. There is a wealth of research and material on their role in addressing historical injustices through to individual relationships. For a thorough overview see:
Lazare, Aaron (2004). On Apology. Oxford University Press.
Apologies often play an important role in restorative justice. An important aspect of the climate apology comes this field, namely that of understanding the perpetrator also as a victim, not in order to excuse harmful behaviour but to introduce a perspective of empathy. See:
Zehr, Howard (2014). The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Good Books.
Climate psychology
The 6th IPCC report reviewed approximately 90,000 research articles related to the field of environmental psychology – there’s a lot out there! For an influential, readable summary for non-academics that’s freely available online see:
Kollmus, A. and Agyeman, J. (2002) Mind the Gap: Why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behaviour? Environmental Education Research 8(3).
A recent work that influenced my thinking around recognising the reality of climate change:
Verlie, Blanche (2021) Learning to Live with Climate Change: From Anxiety to Transformation. Routledge Press.
Our lives and inner worlds are so varied that a huge tool box is needed to shift mindsets. The Climate Apology is a call for action that can complement other approaches, such as the inspiring work of Joanna Macy.
Stoicism and other thoughts
I grew up in a family influenced by the ideas of Stoicism, a philosophy I find personally helpful and particularly relevant to the climate apology. Its emphasis on focusing on what is within our power to control is mirrored in the world’s religions and central to the today’s mindfulness movement. See Daily Stoic | Stoic Wisdom For Everyday Life for a great overview.
Repentence, forgiveness and renewal are important themes in many religions.
The Triskelion is an ancient symbol that first appeared in Malta around 4,000 BC and is closely associated with the Celtic history of Ireland. Reshaped and adopted in the 20th century for nefarious purposes by fascist and white supremacy movements, its original form from European antiquity is reclaimed in The Climate Apology as a symbol to remind us that global warming is largely the result of the growth-centred economic models and consumption patterns of the global north.
Its spirals represent the three phases of the climate apology: recognition, acknowledgement and change. It symbolises the elements of earth, water and air that we need to survive. It represents our intrinsic connection to others, now, in the past and the future. It is the trinity of the internal will, to act, for those we love.
Let’s ensure that we can pass down this symbol to our kids and grand-kids, as it has been passed down to us.
