2. Ecological Collapse and Climate Crisis
Introduction
In this module, we’re going to discuss how current global systems and patterns of consumption and resource extraction worldwide are unsustainable for a liveable future. We’ll define key concepts around the climate crisis, while exploring the root causes of ecological collapse and how it intersects with racial capitalism, colonialism and social injustice.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
- Describe how climate crisis is a result of current global systems based on racial capitalism, colonialism and social injustice
- Explore and engage with notions of collapse and the structural and relational factors that affect change making
- Identify key factors contributing to the denial of climate crisis and ecological collapse
- Reflect on the dominant responses to climate crisis from an Indigenous, relational perspective
How to Use This Module
This module begins with a 10-minute video that introduces you to key ideas and concepts about ecological collapse and climate crisis. The sections following the introductory video will provide additional content to help you dive deeper into these topics. Learning activities are integrated throughout. It may take you 2 to 6 hours to complete this module, including all learning activities. However, this will vary greatly by individual. Depending on your social location, lived experience and disciplinary background (area of study), you will engage with these materials in different ways.
If you have not yet, visit the section on Self-Guided Learning in the Introduction to Global Justice and Change for reminders on how you can support your learning process. There are many ways to engage with this module. Please decide what works best for you.
Reflection Journal
Please open the google doc template for the Ecological Collapse and Climate Crisis reflection journal. You can save your own copy to your Google Drive. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to google drive, you can download a word copy to your desktop or phone. You will be asked to respond to the questions in your journal throughout the module.
Music
Another way to explore the themes in this module is to listen to our Ecological Collapse and Climate Crisis playlist, available in the following formats:
- Spotify
- YouTube (in development)
You will also find individual songs shared throughout the module to support further learning and reflection.
