The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable

The phrase “climate crisis” refers to long-term and substantial changes in Earth’s climate patterns, especially the steady rise in average global temperatures. In The Great Derangement, Amitav Ghosh explores the connections between the climate crisis and art, history, and culture. Globally, scientists agree that the climate crisis is primarily caused by human activities in the industrial age, most notably the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and have led to a steady rise in global temperatures; as a result, the polar ice caps are melting, causing sea levels to rise. Increasing temperatures also mean that extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe. Water resources are also under strain, as droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns endanger freshwater supplies.

The consequences of the climate crisis are far-reaching and pose significant challenges to all living beings and ecosystems on Earth. Extreme weather events caused by climate change can have devasting economic and social effects as people and nations struggle for resources. Extreme heat and cold can also have deadly effects for people across the globe. Although the effects of climate change are felt globally, the climate crisis disproportionately affects already vulnerable communities, such as those living in poverty, Indigenous groups, and those living in the global south.