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The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Climate Crisis: A Call to Question the Mindset of Modernity

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  • Fulvio Mazzocchi

    (CNR—Institute of Heritage Science, Via Salaria km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy)

Abstract

Drawing a parallel between the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, the article explores what can be learned from these crises using two axes of analysis. First, such events show some noteworthy structural analogies, being both typified by nonlinear dynamics. They exhibit latency periods and tipping points: at the beginning, things go slowly, but once a critical threshold is exceeded, suddenly escalate quickly; as a result, when we respond to them will make the difference. Second, it is crucial how complex crises are framed. It would be deceptive to concentrate only on their contingent aspects. Both cases should instead be seen as the symptom of a broader imbalance, i.e., a ‘crisis of modernity’. Consequently, the article investigates their possible common roots: not only their socioeconomic determinants, but also worldview assumptions, particularly a long-lasting dualism that contributed to generate an overall sense of separateness. It argues that this situation cannot be addressed through some superficial changes. Rather, it urges us to move toward some deeper shifts, regarding both our way of thinking and behaving.

Suggested Citation

  • Fulvio Mazzocchi, 2022. "The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Climate Crisis: A Call to Question the Mindset of Modernity," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:13:y:2022:i:2:p:33-:d:870792
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Timothy M. Lenton & Johan Rockström & Owen Gaffney & Stefan Rahmstorf & Katherine Richardson & Will Steffen & Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, 2019. "Climate tipping points — too risky to bet against," Nature, Nature, vol. 575(7784), pages 592-595, November.
    2. Wallace, Robert G. & Bergmann, Luke & Kock, Richard & Gilbert, Marius & Hogerwerf, Lenny & Wallace, Rodrick & Holmberg, Mollie, 2015. "The dawn of Structural One Health: A new science tracking disease emergence along circuits of capital," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 68-77.
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