How does culture interact with the way societies understand, live with, and act in relation to climate change? While the importance of the exchanges between culture, society and climate in the context of global environmental change is increasingly recognised, the empirical evidence is fragmented and too often constrained by disciplinary boundaries. Written by an international team of experts, this book provides cutting-edge and critical perspectives on how culture both facilitates and inhibits our ability to address and make sense of climate change and the challenges it poses to societies globally. Through a set of case studies spanning the social sciences and humanities, it explores the role of culture in relation to climate and its changes at different temporal and spatial levels; illustrates how approaching climate change through the cultural dimension enriches the range and depth of societal engagements; and establishes connections between theory and practice, which can stimulate action-oriented initiatives.

‘Multidisciplinary studies by 23 contributing authors who explore how human cultures conceptualize and respond to climate … Though the book does not downplay social, psychological, and economic factors that have slowed climate action at the societal level, its chapters collectively suggest a surprisingly optimistic view: namely, that human cultures throughout history have exhibited curiosity about and resilience to climate … Clear writing and thoughtfully chosen images make this book accessible and engaging for broad audiences.’

D. P. Genereux Source: Choice