Cultural Theory’s contributions to climate science: reply to Hansson

Abstract

In his article, ‘Social constructionism and climate science denial’, Hansson claims to present empirical evidence that the cultural theory developed by Dame Mary Douglas, Aaron Wildavsky and ourselves (among others) leads to (climate) science denial. In this reply, we show that there is no validity to these claims. First, we show that Hansson’s empirical evidence that cultural theory has led to climate science denial falls apart under closer inspection. Contrary to Hansson’s claims, cultural theory has made significant contributions to understanding and addressing climate change. Second, we discuss various features of Douglas’ cultural theory that differentiate it from other constructivist approaches and make it compatible with the scientific method. Thus, we also demonstrate that cultural theory cannot be accused of epistemic relativism.

Varieties of development: On the plurality of political economies and how to harness it

“…The literature points to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol as an example of an ineffective hierarchical policy instrument to address climate change's wicked problem (see, e.g., Verweij, 2023; Verweij et al, 2022). A clumsy solution requires a different international regime has a non‐binding international treaty and multiple domestic measures to lower the cost of renewable energy (e.g.…”

'People Are Dying, and They Will Be Dying': Drought Stories, Cultural Codes and Environmental Discourses

“…Práce Mary Douglas a Aarona Wildavského (1983) ukazuje, jak jsou kulturní vzorce klíčové pro to, jak lidé rozumí hrozbám, jak distribuují vinu a odpovědnost za řešení a jak tyto hrozby vřazují do širšího systému sociálních klasifikací. Přispívají tak ke konstruování odpovědnosti za klimatickou změnu, ale i k pochopení způsobu jejich odmítání či obcházení (viz Verweij et al, 2022). Tyto podoby obcházení mohou mít podobu fatalistického rámování tématu (Mayer a Smith, 2019) či prohlášení za umělý problém (Vidomus, 2018, s. 111-113), kdy prioritizace společenských problémů a upozadění klimatické změny vychází z kulturního individualistického modelu (Verweij et al, 2006).…”

Misconstrued arguments about cultural theory

“…The reader of Verweij et al, (2022) might get the impression that my article (Hansson, 2020) has cultural theory as a main target. That is not the case.…”

“…I will give two examples. First, Verweij et al, (2022) say: Hence, cultural theory does not argue that 'claims by natural scientists… should be treated as mere social constructions, rather than as reports on the actual state of the natural world', as Hansson (pp. 1 & 5) asserts.…”

“…Moreover, it formed the basis of our proposals for combating climate change in a far more effective way than had hitherto been done -proposals that closely match today's efforts to curb global warming. (Verweij et al, 2022) I need to quote the 2003 paper at some length to show the context of my quote from it in my previous paper. What I quote below is the last three paragraphs of the 2003 paper that had Mary Douglas as its first author (my italics): Does global warming put the future of the world at risk?…”