Formation/Cours

The term “Anthropocene”, the so-called ‘human age’, is used to describe the current epoch in Earth’s history, where human influence on the planet has become so significant that it can be seen as a defining geological feature. The key challenges of the Anthropocene include Anthropogenic climate change, primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities, which has led to global warming, more frequent extreme weather events and rising sea levels; loss of biodiversity and natural habitats as a result of human activities, often referred to as the “sixth mass extinction”; the alteration of the Earth’s geology through human activity, such as mining, construction, and agriculture, which has left lasting marks on the Earth’s surface; and various human-driven pollution problems, including plastics, chemicals, and greenhouse gases which have affected air, water, and soil quality and are creating environmental and health issues.

The “Politics of the Anthropocene” refers to the political, social, and ethical challenges that arise from the recognition that human activity is now a dominant force shaping the Earth’s climate, ecosystems, and geological processes. This requires navigating the complex and urgent need for human societies to confront their role in ecological and climate crises, and to explore new political and ethical pathways for a more sustainable and just future.

This course is an introduction in the fields of politics and global governance of environmental and sustainability issues in the era of the Anthropocene. It draws on political and environmental social sciences to introduce students to the main concepts in Anthropocene governance, such as global governance challenges, sustainability, democracy and global justice in the Anthropocene. We will also explore several problem areas and sectors of Anthropocene governance, including governance of climate change, global food security, infectious disease outbreaks, and global energy.

The learning outcomes of the course are to comprehend the nature of contemporary environmental challenges; to discover and critically appraise some of the texts and theories of the Anthropocene and global environmental and sustainability governance literature; and to learn how to unveil the values and frictions underlying political claims for the environment.