Description Climate change is a defining issue of our time for which the immediate as well as potential future scope causes enormous impediments to human understanding and comprehension.
About the Author Eva Maria Räpple is professor of philosophy at the College of Du Page..
Language and communication can serve comprehension of an issue like climate change and provide a path in developing responsible responses to abstract problems of complex global future dimensions.
Throughout history, narratives, stories, images, artistic expressions have all played a key role for imaginative ventures that allow the mind to imagine the past, present, and the future.
It also means to develop a sensibility for the other in making sense of the world that today is largely shaped by humans.
Crucial in this dialog is the ability to take the standpoint of the other -- including that of species as well as ecosystems -- in human imagination.
It is up to human beings to confront challenges such as climate change, to consider what has been critically assessed in thought and reflect on potential responses.
As human beings, we are a species on this planet that is uniquely capable to think and foresee potential consequences and hold power to induce change on our actions.
Required is nothing less than moving out of "thoughtlessness," an unresponsiveness and ignorance in particular towards certain Environmental problems.
It is argued here that humans ought to make wise use of their capacity of thinking, language, and communication in working on the task of responsible action.
Description Climate change is a defining issue of our time for which the immediate as well as potential future scope causes enormous impediments to human understanding and comprehension
