The Climate of History:Four Theses (Part 1)| Dipesh Chakraborty|PG S3 Critical Studies II

Key Concepts:

• Climate Change & Global Warming: The central environmental issue.
• Anthropocene: A proposed geological epoch defined by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems.
• Human-Centric History: The traditional separation of human history from natural history.
• Techno-fixes: Technological solutions to environmental problems.
• Environmental Crisis: The repercussions of climate change, including droughts, cyclones, and species destruction.
• Global Footprint: A measure of the resources required to support a specific lifestyle or business.

1. Introduction: The Climate Crisis and Human History

• The video introduces Dipesh Chakrabarty's essay, "The Climate of History: Four Theses," focusing on the implications of climate change for historical thought.
• Chakrabarty notes varied responses to climate change: denial, disconnect, indifference, engagement, and activism.
• He references Alan Weisman's "The World Without Us" to highlight the possibility of a world devoid of human influence due to environmental degradation.
• The core argument is that climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and industrial practices, necessitates a re-evaluation of human history.
• James Hansen is quoted emphasizing the reality of the greenhouse effect, while George W. Bush's dismissive attitude is mentioned as an example of political inaction.
• Environmental consequences like droughts in Australia, cyclones, crop failures, melting glaciers, and ocean acidification are cited as evidence of the crisis.
• The growing concern over species destruction and the increasing global population (projected to reach 9 billion by 2050) are highlighted.
• The concept of "global footprint" is introduced as a measure of human impact on the environment.
• References are made to Giovani Arrighi's works, "The Long Twentieth Century" and "Adam Smith in Beijing," which discuss the environmental crisis within the context of capitalism and the rise of China.
• Chakrabarty aligns himself with the anthropogenic theory of climate change, citing Naomi Oreskes's assertion that climate scientists agree on human-induced climate change.

2. Thesis 1: Anthropogenic Climate Change and the Collapse of Humanist Distinctions

• The first thesis addresses the traditional separation between natural history and human history, a distinction rooted in humanist thought.
• The video explains that philosophers and historians often treat nature as separate and inscrutable, while human history is seen as a product of human action and understanding.
• R.G. Collingwood's view that historians are primarily interested in social customs and conventions, rather than natural human actions, is presented as an example of this separation.
• The video mentions Stalin's "Dialectical and Historical Materialism" (1938) as an influential example of Marxist philosophy that reinforces the separation of human and natural history.
• However, the video also notes that some critics, like Fernand Braudel in his book "The Mediterranean," rebelled against this view, arguing that nature plays an active role in shaping human actions.
• The rapid pace of climate change challenges the traditional separation, as human actions now have significant geological consequences.
• The concept of the Anthropocene is introduced as a new geological epoch where humans act as a geological force, impacting the planet on a global scale.
• The video connects modern freedom to fossil fuel use, suggesting that the Anthropocene challenges humanist notions of freedom and progress.
• The crisis of climate change is producing anxiety about the present and future.
• Politicians are criticized for prioritizing profit and materialistic gain over environmental concerns.
• Tim Flannery's "Orwellian nightmare" scenario is mentioned to illustrate the potential consequences of inaction.
• Mark Maslin's skepticism towards techno-fixes as a solution to global warming is highlighted.

3. Conclusion

• The video concludes by stating that the next video will discuss the remaining two theses and the conclusion of Chakrabarty's essay.
• The video emphasizes the need to stay tuned for further discussion.