Ecologies of Ignorance: Climate Change and the Politics of Not-Knowing

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This chapter explores the concept of ‘ecologies of ignorance’ in the context of climate change. It argues that ignorance is not merely a lack of knowledge, but an actively produced and maintained condition that shapes climate discourse and governance. The chapter examines how uncertainty, denial, and strategic silence function as mechanisms to maintain power structures and delay climate action. It challenges dominant epistemologies, emphasizing the need for epistemic pluralism and recognition of diverse forms of environmental knowledge. The chapter also discusses the implications for policy, education, and activism, calling for a critical address of structures perpetuating selective ignorance in climate change discussions.

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Arun, P. N. (2025). Ecologies of Ignorance: Climate Change and the Politics of Not-Knowing. In Emergent Worlds: Rethinking Knowledge in the Age of Uncertainty (pp. 92-107). Indian Institute of Industrial and Social Research. ISBN: 979-8-289-58863-0

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