"Imagination is Power"

Climate change... immediately most of us think of the 'gloom and doom' narrative, politicians in denial, scientists at the forefront of the 'debate', and of course, extinction. Solutions that have been put forward consists mainly of individual consumption decision making. Focusing on the individual and not the social structure behind clime change only places a temporary bandied on the problem, allowing the root cause to remain hidden. In Kari Marie Norgaard's article Climate Change is a Social Issue, Norgaard identifies the difference between our two imaginations. First, the ecological imagination, which is "see[ing] the relationships between human actions and their impacts on the earth's biophysical system." This type of imagination is well developed, especially in our Western culture. On a hierarchy of disciplines, science always comes first, (which remains justified by natural scientists) so it is important for us to notice how the 'hard' sciences are taken more seriously than any other discipline. Next, Norgaard describes the sociological imagination, which is "see[ing] the relationships that make up this environmentally damaging social structure." This type of imagination goes unnoticed by society, where the social and political conversation about climate change remains inadequate. These two imaginations are on two different platforms, creating once again another barrier we must acknowledge.

A recent finding showed that "more Americans can imagine the end of the world than can envision a switch from using fossil fuels or an economic order than capitalism." So the big question we face - "how society can change course," goes unanswered. Yes, we need a more present sociological imagination in order to attempt to answer this big question, but more importantly, we need a holistic imagination. We need an imagination that seeks to dismantle hierarchies of all kind, human domination, and promotes a more intersectional lens. Having a more holistic imagination will also allow interdisciplinary studies to flourish. Embracing this type of imagination will not only bring scientists and sociologists together, but artists, activists, writers, and many others as well. It seems like a big leap to go from a 'room full of scientists' to a room that is open to everyone, but in order for us to challenge the current social structure, we must all have a seat at the table. I can imagine it - can you?