Sociology and the Climate Science-Politics Gap

Anthropogenic climate change poses an existential threat to societies around the globe. Nonetheless, while the scientific community has mobilized to highlight theses dangers and urged immediate action to address the causes of climate change, only limited progress has been made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To what extent the engagement of scientists affects climate views and policies remains uncertain. Understanding how both science and scientists shape climate concerns is a key area for sociological inquiry. This session encourages a synthesis of scholarship from the sociology of science, environmental sociology, and the discipline broadly to expand understanding of the role of science and scientists in climate change. It will also promote discussion of how sociologists can further collaborate with other social and environmental scientists to help address pressing climate concerns. Papers that consider key issues such as climate justice, the role of different types of knowledge (scientific and traditional) in shaping climate views are also encouraged. Finally, submissions that focus on the science-climate nexus in different social contexts around the world and consider ways sociological understanding may support on-the-ground efforts to address to climate concerns are also welcome.