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Postapocalyptic narratives in climate activism: their place and impact in five European cities

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Abstract

As climate movements are growing around the world, so too is a postapocalyptic form of environmentalism. While apocalyptic environmentalism warns of future catastrophe in case of inaction, its postapocalyptic sibling assumes that catastrophe is already here or unavoidable. Here I explore the overlooked strategic implications of postapocalyptic narratives in climate change movements. I present data from a qualitative study of climate activism in five European cities: Malmö, Hamburg, Antwerp, Bristol, and Manchester, based on ethnographic observations and 46 qualitative interviews. I argue that postapocalyptic narratives are indeed widely present but are, following the logics of appropriateness, habit and affect, kept out of strategizing; in turn, this enables a continued focus on climate mitigation. Debates about the need for strategies to adapt to present or unavoidable climate disruptions tend to be foreclosed, though exceptions like the co-creation of local adaptation measures are discussed.

Acceptance Date Sep 1, 2021
Publication Date Sep 1, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Environmental Politics
Print ISSN 0964-4016
Publisher Routledge
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2021.1959123
Publisher URL https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09644016.2021.1959123

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