Climate Confessions — the religion in sustainability

Climate Confessions is a monthly blog series in which Timothy Stacey reveals the “religious repertoires” associated with sustainability in various sectors. From the myths of great floods that dominate in Dutch politics to the rituals of reconnecting with other humans and the other-than-human found among activists, each month, Tim invites you into the repertoires that lurk beneath the surface, shaping sustainability in an otherwise secular world.

Timothy Stacey laughing with one hand on is head, photographed from the side

Tim is a researcher and lecturer at the Urban Futures Studio. As well as undertaking research into the repertoires found in various settings, he collaborates with policymakers, designers, and activists to develop new repertoires that advance social, economic, and ecological justice. For more formal reflections, see Tim’s peer-reviewed research: www.uu.nl/staff/TJStacey/Publications. To discuss how repertoires might transform your practice, get in touch t.j.stacey@uu.nl

Blogs

  • Spreading the climate movement beyond the vanguard left: the power of tradition

    The term tradition is widely used among climate activists and researchers to refer to indigenous wisdom and fossil-free farming. Such thinking is important in challenging modernist techno-optimism and highlighting neglected values and practices that we already know to be sustainable. But it also makes tradition seem like something that belongs to the past and political margins. This blinds us to the role that tradition plays in sustaining our own socio-ecologically toxic practices.

    A portrait of Dr Timothy Stacey. He is wearing an open-hanging dark blue blouse with a crimson t-shirt underneath. He looks to his right with a serious expression.
    Timothy Stacey
    Urban Futures Studio

  • Magical technology and the colonialism vanish trick

    Many have long marvelled at humans’ capacity for technological innovation. Especially now, amid cascading environmental crises, technology seems to take on a magical quality. It becomes the repository of people's last remaining hopes. We acknowledge the many great things technological innovation has achieved. But holding faith with technological innovation alone is not only high risk: it ignores the exploitation of people and planet on which it depends.

    Left dr. Timothy Stacey Right: dr. Kristina Bogner
    Timothy Stacey & Kristina Bogner
    Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development

  • Liberation rituals: collective liminality for transformative change

    When it comes to environmental politics, everywhere we look, there’s a feeling of being stuck. UN summits take one step forwards and two steps back. Scientists are gluing their papers to buildings and their hands to the road because governments are failing to act. Most of us look on dejectedly, wondering what we’re supposed to do, or why we should do it if no one else does.

    A portrait of Dr Timothy Stacey. He is wearing an open-hanging dark blue blouse with a crimson t-shirt underneath. He looks to his right with a serious expression.
    Timothy Stacey
    Urban Futures Studio

  • Myths of a sustainable future

    In contemporary conversation, “myth” is most commonly used to mean “misconception”. The usage stems from colonial times, when anthropologists differentiated between primitive religions, replete with myths, and the scientific worldview. Today, it remains a way of castigating those we disagree with. But in creating this dichotomy, the children of the Enlightenment have been doing themselves a disservice.

    A portrait of Dr Timothy Stacey. He is wearing an open-hanging dark blue blouse with a crimson t-shirt underneath. He looks to his right with a serious expression.
    Timothy Stacey
    Urban Futures Studio

  • Why religion matters for climate change, whatever you believe

    When you hear the words religion and climate change, many of you will instantly think of evangelical climate deniers and conspiracy theorists. Very few though, will think of the laboratories and boardrooms in which scientists and policymakers debate over the facts, and what these imply for social and economic life.

    A portrait of Dr Timothy Stacey. He is wearing an open-hanging dark blue blouse with a crimson t-shirt underneath. He looks to his right with a serious expression.
    Timothy Stacey
    Urban Futures Studio