Is colonialism to blame for the dire situation we face with climate change? | Inside Story

Summary

This episode of Inside Story discusses the impact of colonialism on climate change. An exhibition in London showcases how colonial practices, such as plantation agriculture and extractive mining, laid the groundwork for current environmental crises. The show features artists from Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, who explore the racial and historical dimensions of climate change, urging a shift in perspective to address global warming and advocate for economic and social decolonization.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The exhibition 'We Are History' in London explores the link between colonialism and climate change, suggesting that the roots of current environmental crises can be traced back to colonial practices.
• 📈 The industrial revolution and colonialism went hand in hand, with mass manufacturing and large-scale farming using slave labor, contributing to the early stages of man-made climate change.
• 🌍 European nations' colonial past, including the extraction of natural resources and establishment of plantation systems, has had a lasting impact on global climate patterns.
• 🎨 Artworks in the exhibition, created by artists with personal connections to Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, highlight the racial and environmental injustices stemming from colonial history.
• 🏛 The exhibition is housed in Somerset House, a colonial-era building and former headquarters for the British Navy, symbolizing the enduring legacy of colonialism in global trade and power structures.
• 🌿 The show emphasizes the need to understand and respect the ways indigenous communities in the global south have engaged with nature, which contrasts with exploitative colonial practices.
• 🔥 The rise of extractive mining and monoculture agriculture during the colonial period has contributed to ongoing environmental damage and climate change.
• 🌐 The economic structures of globalization are still rooted in colonialism, with many of the same patterns of exploitation and resource extraction continuing today.
• 🌿 The exhibition calls for a 'decolonization' of our economic systems, museums, and way of living to address the climate crisis and promote global social justice.
• ⏰ The UN Climate Summit (COP26) is seen as a critical opportunity for governments to set goals in line with the Paris Agreement, but there are concerns that it may not lead to meaningful action.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the exhibition 'We Are History'?

The exhibition 'We Are History' explores the legacy of colonialism and its role in the birth of climate change, highlighting the environmental changes as a racial process deeply rooted in colonial history.

How does the exhibition argue that colonial history is connected to current climate change?

The exhibition argues that colonial history is connected to current climate change by showing how patterns of trade, extraction of natural resources, and the plantation system established during colonial times have led to environmental damage and set the stage for the current climate crisis.

What is the significance of the artworks presented by artists with a personal connection to Africa, the Caribbean, and South America?

The artworks presented by these artists trace the link between empire building, the pillaging of land, and the exploitation of native people, offering a perspective on climate change that is rooted in the experiences and histories of the global south.

How does the exhibition suggest we should approach understanding climate change?

The exhibition suggests that to understand climate change, we should look at our practices across hundreds of years, considering the historical context of colonialism, slavery, and the extractive practices that have shaped our current globalized systems.

What role does the colonial-era building, Somerset House, play in the context of the exhibition?

Somerset House, being a colonial-era building and former headquarters for the British Navy, serves as a powerful backdrop for the exhibition, symbolizing the historical connection between colonial power and the global trade patterns that persist today.

What is the link between the industrial revolution and colonialism as discussed in the script?

The script discusses that the industrial revolution, marked by the birth of mass manufacturing, went hand in hand with colonialism, as western nations used slave labor for large-scale farming and raw material extraction, which contributed to the early man-made climate change.

What is the role of the UN Climate Summit in addressing the issues raised by the exhibition?

The UN Climate Summit is a platform where governments come together to decide on the goals of the Paris Agreement. The exhibition 'We Are History' opens ahead of the summit, emphasizing the need to consider the historical roots of climate change in the discussions and decisions made at the summit.

How does the exhibition address the issue of global social justice in relation to climate change?

The exhibition addresses global social justice by suggesting that the current climate crisis is a result of an unequal distribution of wealth and resources, and that addressing it requires a shift towards global social justice, which includes lowering living standards in the global north to allow the global south to increase their wealth.

What is the curator Ekko Eshun's view on the importance of art in discussing climate change?

Ekko Eshun believes that art can expand our discourse and discussion around climate change by offering new ways of looking and thinking about the issue through the perspectives of people in the developing world, thus affecting a shift in our understanding and approach to climate change.

What does Professor Jurgen Zimmer suggest is necessary for addressing the climate emergency?

Professor Jurgen Zimmer suggests that in addition to economic decolonization, we need to decolonize our structures, economic systems, and our way of living to face the existential threat of climate change. He emphasizes the need for global social justice and a reduction in living standards in the global north.

What is the perspective of Stefan Singer from the Climate Action Network on the role of the public in addressing climate change?

Stefan Singer emphasizes that the public, especially the rich and middle classes, need to understand their responsibility in climate change and the need to reduce emissions significantly. He also highlights the need for financial support to help communities adapt to climate change and to compensate for loss and damage.