The Uninhabitable Earth

The Uninhabitable Earth

by

David Wallace-Wells

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Eco-nihilism refers to modern consumers’ environmental indifference. Eco-nihilism, which is essentially a “who-cares” or “carpe diem” attitude about climate change and carbon footprints, contributes directly to humanity’s collective inability to take any meaningful action against carbon emissions.

Eco-nihilism Quotes in The Uninhabitable Earth

The The Uninhabitable Earth quotes below are all either spoken by Eco-nihilism or refer to Eco-nihilism. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Cascades, Systems Crises, and Interconnectedness Theme Icon
).
Part III, Chapter 6: Ethics at the End of the World Quotes

One threat of climate catastrophe is that [certain] strains of ecological nihilism might find a home in the host of consensus wisdom—and that their premonitions may seem familiar to you is a sign that some of that anxiety and despair is already leaching into the way so many others think about the future of the world.

Related Characters: David Wallace-Wells (speaker), Guy McPherson
Page Number: 235
Explanation and Analysis:
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Eco-nihilism Term Timeline in The Uninhabitable Earth

The timeline below shows where the term Eco-nihilism appears in The Uninhabitable Earth. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part III, The Climate Kaleidoscope, Chapter 6: Ethics at the End of the World
Human Responsibility and the Natural World Theme Icon
Optimism and Action vs. Despair and Nihilism Theme Icon
The Effects of Climate Change on Humanity Theme Icon
...of the world is intertwined with its deep-seated knowledge about “the fragility of its fabric.” Eco-nihilism and doomsday prophecies can easily take hold of a society that knows its own weaknesses—a... (full context)
Cascades, Systems Crises, and Interconnectedness Theme Icon
Human Responsibility and the Natural World Theme Icon
Optimism and Action vs. Despair and Nihilism Theme Icon
The Effects of Climate Change on Humanity Theme Icon
Ecological nihilism, or eco-nihilism, on the other hand, is something to worry about. Unchecked, parts of society may grow... (full context)