The Enigma of Climate Inaction

Frederic Samama

• 23 december 2025
• 9781041030645

Samenvatting:

Offers readers a profound insight into the cognitive, economic and societal factors underlying our inaction on climate change, equipping us with a unique toolkit to confront our collective inertia and the barriers to necessary global responses.

The Enigma of Climate Inaction explores humanity’s perplexing passivity in the face of the looming climate crisis—despite our having known about it for decades, the fact that we brought it into existence, and the existential threat it poses to our species.

Drawing on cutting-edge insights from cognitive science, anthropology, history, economy, finance, and philosophy, Samama argues that our success in accessing resources has bred an overconfidence in the systems that enable it. By uncovering the roots of our inaction, he moves beyond merely identifying the problem and offers a framework for action. He invites readers to experience a jolt in perspective—one that prompts a re-evaluation of our relationship with nature and our sense of responsibility.

This powerful and innovative examination of the cognitive and societal blind spots that obstruct urgent climate action and solutions provided will be especially valuable for professionals in environmental policy, the social sciences and humanities, and finance.