Will Democracy Survive Climate Change?

Abstract

In this essay, we explore the relationship between democracy and climate change. Using environmental sociology and related fields as a theoretical lens, we explore two possible and contrasting scenarios of the climate crisis's sociopolitical impact. The first scenario presents that democracy is not well‐equipped to deal with climate change. The increasing pervasiveness and intensity of climate change challenges our democratic system, ultimately leading to its demise and the rise of authoritarianism around the world. In the second scenario, we argue that not only is democracy the most ideal type of governance for tackling climate change, but climate change can revive democracy in an era of rising populist, right‐wing politics. We conclude by discussing several of the conditions required to lead to one or the other scenario.