ABSTRACT
One of the central paradoxes of the Anthropocene is the fact that a monumental global problem such as climate change has had little success in being taken seriously by governments and citizens. This chapter examines what criminology can learn from the politics of the Anthropocene. It draws on three bodies of research to explain the climate change paradox: psychological distance, moral panic and social drama. There are four main lessons for criminology. First, no matter how robust the scientific evidence is, in the short and intermediate future, contestation of expert knowledge will continue. Second, in some cases science and politics cannot afford to work separately: the success of communicating the scientific message and effecting change depends on a host of contingencies, including the persuasiveness of performance. Third, there should be more emphasis on reducing the psychological distancing of the general public towards the adverse effect of harsh law-and-order policies, especially for future generations. Finally, humans are not the only players in this political game; there are real material constraints that will eventually rear their heads. For criminology as well as climate change, the politics of policy is the battleground for forces of rationality, morality, emotionality and materiality.
