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Impact of Culture and Cultural Hegemony on Climate Change

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Impact of Culture and Cultural Hegemony on Climate Change

Climate change continues to be a weighty challenge that impacts social, economic and

political systems. The challenge has not been addressed adequately despite advancements in

science and technology as more issues arise as people try to prevent changes and adapt to results.

Culture and cultural patterns may change in due course as they are lived, modified, and

reaffirmed, and not locked in a single monolithic definition by people. However, abrupt cultural

changes can produce profound challenges, primarily when disrupting routine activities.

Participating in cultural behaviors has severely impacted climate changes hence increasing

resource competition. As people decide on ways of adjusting to the new stability and prospects,

cultural groups can fracture. Specifically, climate change can significantly be impacted

by a hegemony of individuals with power.

Climate changes endanger cultural dimensions of livelihoods, including factors like

identity, a sense of belonging and cohesion of a community. According to Massey (2020, P. 10),

from 1901 to 2010, the sea level globally has risen from 0.17 to 0.21metres, a 0.19 difference.

The increase rate has been the highest in the mid-19th century compared to two former

millennials. The human way of life, like gas emissions greenhouse, has been growing since the

pre-industrial period. Population and economic growth have significantly contributed, and

currently, they are higher than ever. As a result, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide

atmospheric concentrations have increased, something rare in the previous 800,000 years at a

minimum (Massey, 2020, P.10). Together with many anthropogenic drivers, their impacts can

now be perceived across the climate system. Based on Massey's (2020, P.10) report, they are the

likely cause of the main reason for the detected warming from the mid-20th century. The effects
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can be seen in millions of poor people experiencing considerable difficulties in food, health,

water, livelihood security, and cultural identity.

Societal response to global climate change through mitigation and adaptation is by

integrating culture. While examining the possible influence of action or lack thereof, the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) observed that no-action in an attempt to

increase carbon emissions would be effective. That is, RCP8.5 by 2100, which will combine high

humidity and temperatures in specific areas. However, this will jeopardize diverse cultural

practices like working outdoors and growing foods, as Massey (2020, p.11) records. For

example, in an urban area, changes in climate are forecasted to increase the danger to people and

their assets, including cultural heritage. High precipitations, storms, flooding, heat stress, air

pollution, drought, raised sea levels not only affect people's lives but significant heritages. The

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) protects designated

cultural and natural sites amounting to roughly 10 million square kilometers, which are at risk of

climate change (UNESCO, 2021, P.3). Consequently, climate change will primarily affect rural

areas. They will likely encounter supply and availability of water, infrastructure incomes, and

food security since they have to shift from their traditional crop production techniques and areas.

When the dominant ruling group makes the inferior believe that the conditions they face

are inevitable and naturally occurring and not created by the individuals with a particular

interest, then social hegemony is manifested. The situation can either be economic, political,

environmental, or social. Antonio Gramsci, an Italian philosopher, developed the cultural

hegemony concept. He stated that power is achieved by the dominant group through spreading

beliefs, ideas, and assumptions via institutions like the media (Cole, 2020). For instance, it is
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believed that people who have economically flourished gain fortunes in upright ways while the

poor deserve the struggles. However, before the middle class can earn inspection and adherence

certifications, environmental contaminants with powerful political authority will receive free

permits or exemptions. Therefore, when trade emission programs are proposed, economic giants

are given exemptions like Australian agriculture (Dryzek, 2011). Other corrupt businesses are

favored, like burning coal to fuel electric generators at the cost of less established but efficient

industries.

Nonetheless, marginalized groups like children, female-led families, the disabled,

indigenous people, migrant workers, ethnic minorities, the elderly and many others are impacted

the most by climate change. Basaninyenzi (2021) records that cultural decision making by the

ruling classes and injustices are some of the causes of their vulnerabilities. For example, the cost

of mitigating climate change is costly, yet the reason could have been avoided. There are no

inclusive and well-designed policies to prevent and address changes in cultural hegemony. When

implemented, measures cause a considerable economic strain on poor households. When carbon

pricing is increased, it leads to high transport costs. Also, restraining forestry operations,

indigenous communities that depend on forest entirely for survival will suffer. Therefore,

cultural and social inclusion should also be addressed.

To have effective global climate change interventions, culture has to be fully integrated

into the policies. That includes transition mechanisms for economic and social aspects and

recognizing opportunities to mitigate social injustices. That includes accepting that climate

changes experienced are the impacts of the choices people make and not a natural occurrence.

Then, inclusive measures can significantly be implemented.

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References

Basaninyenzi, U. (2021). Social Dimensions of Climate Change: Development news, research,

data. World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/social-dimensions-of-climate-

change#1

Cole, N. L. (2020, January 6). How the Ruling Class Maintains Power Using Ideas and Norms.

ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/cultural-hegemony-3026121#:

%7E:text=Updated%20January%2006%2C%202020,of%20the%20rest%20of

%20society.

Dryzek, J. S. (2011, August 18). Climate Change and Society: Approaches and Responses.

Oxford Handbooks Online.

https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199566600.001.0001/ox

fordhb-9780199566600-e-1

Massey, J. M. & University of California Davis School of Law. (2020, May). Climate Change,

Culture and Cultural Rights. UN Special Rapporteur.

https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/CulturalRights/Call_ClimateChange/JMassey.p

df

UNESCO. (2021). Culture and Climate Change. United Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization. http://en.unesco.org/themes/culture-sustainable-development

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