The Dilemma in the Governance of Climate Change and Building a Sino-Europe Cognitive Community: Beginning from Anthony Giddens’ Idea
International Social Science Journal (Chinese Edition)
No.2, 2013
The Dilemma in the Governance of Climate Change and Building a Sino-Europe Cognitive Community: Beginning from Anthony Giddens’ Idea
(Abstract)
Wang Shuming
The “Giddens’ Paradox” created by some scholars from EU is not a newly invented paradox. Instead, it refers to the “frog effect” in the governance of climate change and expresses foresight persons’ worry. However, Giddens gives us a sociological and political science perspective for our studies of climate issues. In view of Giddens’ idea, the author sums up again what is the central contradiction or problem in the governance of climate change: all the “managers” of climate problems are “creators” of global problems. It needs all stakeholders’ participation, especially responsible powers’ actions first, to govern such complex social problems. If China and Europe first built a stable and long-term cooperation, both sides would make significant contributions to the global governance. The precondition for effective cooperation between China and Europe is building up a “Sino-Europe cognitive community for governance of climate change.” The community will be comprised of mainly scholars from humanities and social sciences, with focus on both sides’ cognition of social change, values, interests and their communications. Through communication and cooperative studies, both sides would be able to reach consensus on policy by seeking common ground while reserving differences. Then both sides can support the developments of clean and safe low-carbon technology and construction of low-carbon society through correct public policies.