Futures of the Climate Action Movement: Insights from an Integral Futures Approach

Climate change has become the preeminent sustainability issue, receiving significantly more political, corporate, media and public attention than other pressing environmental and social issues. Around the world, a diverse movement has emerged seeking stronger action to respond to climate change. However, this movement lacks cohesion and has failed to build sufficient political power to trigger the various transformations required to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Shellenberger & Nordhaus, 2004). Shellenberger and Nordhaus (2004, p.32) argue that the inability of the climate action movement to achieve greater traction should be attributed to its inability to articulate 'a set of core beliefs, principles, or values' and that this is necessary for building political momentum and broadening support. In this paper I ask: is a shared vision for how to respond to climate change even possible and, if so, is it desirable? Abstract