“As The World Burns” and “The Collapse of Western Civilization” both portray semi-apocalyptic futures brought about by environmental degradation. But, despite some central similarities, the two stories are different in key ways. In the The Collapse Oreskes and Conway relate a “fictional” historical account of how rising sea levels and Market Failure led to widespread death and the restructuring of world politics. Jensen and McMillans graphic novel,  a light satire centered around an invasion of planet eating robotic aliens, urges a collective overthrow of the system to stop climate change, for which green lifestyles are inadequate.

“For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. They may allow us to temporarily beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change.” –Audre Lorde

How can individuals in society make change? With conflicting ideals and a constant race for profit, it seems implausible for us to work together for a common goal. Even with the facts laid out for many, some choose to ignore the dire state that the world is in. Throughout literature it becomes a common theme for people to realize how there is a severe lack of cooperation between governments, corporations, and individuals when attempting to create solutions. Namely, it becomes strikingly obvious in both Collapse of Western Civilization and As the World Burns that the world is taking a severe downturn in terms of environmental health. Yet, even with this apocalyptic framing, we see that the future holds an undesirable system where the government takes all control.

Two weeks ago, we had a very juicy discussion in class about whether we can stop the changes occurring to the planet’s climatic system or not. I was mesmerised by the views that were aired by my fellow colleagues. One against twelve (exclusive of our fabulous professor, of course) is what I would term the then position of the held discussion. Unfortunately, I was the crazy one-the misfit-the round peg in a square hole. I must say that, it was such a quirky feeling at first but it became interesting as the discussion unfolded. My other intellects talked of how we can change global warming and other climatic issues. However, my stand remains engraved in the fact that global warming is irreversible, and we can do nothing at all to change that.

Kate Weiler

Re-evaluating Remedies: Treatment as a Loss of Agency

       “Do we take plants’ rights into full account?”

Princess Jefferson

I Don’t Want Any Pills

Changing Our Stories

1. Gaia does not equal Earth

2. Earth is moving and/or Earth is moved.

3. We should accept the world as it is, not trying to apply patterns or meanings to it.  

Question: Does Earth have "live"? Should we look at the Earth as a being? 

During the campaign Trump claimed that he would withdraw US from the Paris Climate Pact and decrease the budget on EPA. Now he is the president-elect.