As the challenges of climate change mount, the role of humanists in addressing this existential threat has become increasingly important. While science undoubtedly plays the pivotal role in understanding and mitigating climate change, a review of the literature (Levine, 2023; Schaus, 2020) shows that humanists have generally been complacent spectators. There is scant analysis regarding the ways in which humanism can engage productively in the conversation on climate change and what it can bring to the table. This paper aims to change that. The research design employed involves a comprehensive examination of the possible intersections between humanism and climate action through a multidisciplinary lens. Drawing upon the work of noted scholars like Caroline Levine, Amitav Ghosh, and Marc Schaus, the paper synthesises diverse perspectives to elucidate the potential roles and responsibilities of humanists in combating global warming. Additionally, qualitative analysis of historical and contemporary examples of humanist texts is utilised to illustrate several practical applications of humanistic principles in addressing the climate crisis. This results in the itemisation of socio-cultural insights with which humanism can serve as a catalyst for transformative change in the fight against climate change. This paper concludes that exclusive to humanists are specific weapons with which to tackle the climate crisis, as well as an arsenal of unique perspectives that can be used to advocate for systemic change, promote sustainable lifestyles, and cultivate that ethical sense of environmental stewardship that science alone cannot bring to bear on the crisis.

Speaker Biography

Alfonso García-Osuna
Hofstra University, United States

Alfonso J. García-Osuna has taught at Hofstra University and at City University of NY-Kingsborough for over 35 years. He specialises in mediaeval and early modern literature, receiving his PhD (1989) from the Graduate School of the City University of New York. He has completed postdoctoral work at the University of Valladolid, Spain, has published six books, and is a frequent contributor to specialised journals. Additionally, Dr García-Osuna is the editor of the IAFOR Journal of Arts and Humanities.

Alfonso received primary and secondary education in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, the place where his family originated and where he grew up. An avid cyclist, he has completed the Road to Santiago, an 867-kilometre route through northern Spain, eight times.

About the Presenter(s)
Alfonso J. García-Osuna has taught at Hofstra University and at City University of NY-Kingsborough for over 35 years.

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