From Maria Alejandra and WEA Pedagogy Blog Jean-Baptiste Fressoz, professor at the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paris, challenges our understanding of the current energy transition process. In his book “The Shock of the Anthropocene: The Earth, History, and Us,” co-authored with Christophe Bonneuil, Fressoz offers a critical history of the Anthropocene, the current geological epoch defined by significant human impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems. The authors challenge the conventional view of the Anthropocene as a recent phenomenon, arguing that human influence on the environment has deep historical roots. The book explores how industrialism, consumerism, and the manufacture of ignorance have contributed to environmental degradation. The book also scrutinizes
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from Maria Alejandra and WEA Pedagogy Blog
Jean-Baptiste Fressoz, professor at the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paris, challenges our understanding of the current energy transition process.
In his book “The Shock of the Anthropocene: The Earth, History, and Us,” co-authored with Christophe Bonneuil, Fressoz offers a critical history of the Anthropocene, the current geological epoch defined by significant human impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems. The authors challenge the conventional view of the Anthropocene as a recent phenomenon, arguing that human influence on the environment has deep historical roots. The book explores how industrialism, consumerism, and the manufacture of ignorance have contributed to environmental degradation. The book also scrutinizes the military’s involvement in environmental degradation and challenges the efficacy of the so-called energy transitions. Through a dialogue between science and history, the authors present an ecological balance sheet of our current developmental model and suggest paths for living and acting politically in the Anthropocene.
In another book, “The Joyful Apocalypse: A History of Technological Risk,” Fressoz explores the historical context of technological risk and how it has shaped our understanding of progress and danger. The author argues that the perception of technological risk is not a recent phenomenon but has deep historical roots dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Overall, his contribution provides a compelling critique of the claim that we live in an unprecedented period marked by an awareness of technological crises and environmental risks.
Regarding his latest book, “Sans transition: Une nouvelle histoire de l’énergie,” Fressoz presents a radical rethinking of energy history. The book challenges the conventional notion of energy transition, arguing that the idea itself is fundamentally flawed because it oversimplifies the complex reality of how energy systems evolve. According to Fressoz, history shows that new energy sources do not simply replace old ones; instead, they often accumulate and coexist. For instance, despite the “switch” to coal, people continued to use wood, and the emergence of oil did not eliminate coal but rather added it to the mix. Fressoz believes that the idea of a clean, linear transition from one dominant energy source to another is misleading since the development of new energy sources can sometimes even stimulate the use of older ones. This perspective challenges the common narrative of a straightforward energy transition and highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of energy history and its implications for the future. Moreover, he delves into the historical context, showing how the concept of energy transition emerged in the 1970s and became a dominant narrative for governments, businesses, and experts. The book emphasizes the long-term persistence of energy systems and the significant challenges that arise when attempting to decarbonize.
Fressoz highlights that historical energy shifts, like the move from wood to coal or coal to oil, didn’t result in the complete abandonment of the previous energy forms. Instead, they layered upon one another, creating a complex and intertwined energy landscape. Various socio-economic, political, and technological factors influence a more intricate process, challenging the idea of a linear, clean transition.
Indeed, Fressoz’s works call for a reevaluation of how we perceive energy transitions, emphasizing the importance of understanding these dynamics to effectively address contemporary energy challenges. He believes that we have not yet initiated the energy transition. In order to effectively address the environmental dilemma, it is imperative that we prioritize the quantity of resources rather than technology.
Regarding economics education, it is worth rethinking the way we understand energy history and the obstacles to achieving the energy transition.