GEOG Seminar 11/9: Yannick Oswald, "Climate Policy in a Chaotic and Dangerous World"

Join us for our weekly seminar on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 3:45-5 p.m. on Zoom. Dr. Yannick Oswald, postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Leeds, UK, will explore how current events, inequality and the feasibility of degrowth and postgrowth impact climate policy and the path towards a sustainable future.

Abstract:

We live in chaotic and dangerous times. The urgency for climate mitigation and adaptation has never been more pressing, but geopolitical unrest, polarization and social emergencies complicate the path forward. In this talk, I will explore how climate policy is affected by current events and if so at all. I will moreover discuss how inequality sits at the centre of multiple crises and why it constitutes a critical intervention point. Lastly, I will take a critical look on degrowth and postgrowth as a solution for the climate emergency and what might stand in the way of their feasibility. By acknowledging and planning for these obstacles, I hope we have better chances of achieving a sustainable and just future.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Yannick Oswald's research interests broadly span complex social and economic systems, their interactions and emergent properties.He is also keen to apply his research to contemporary global challenges. He maintains interests in the relationship between the economy and climate change, global resource use patterns, economic policies (such as for instance carbon taxation and taxation of luxury goods), as well as agent-based models of socio-ecological systems. 

Zoom Info: For Zoom details, please visit our Department Calendar on Google or reach out to xjchen@umd.edu.