For a Blue Planet: Water Commons and ‘Commoning’ in the Climate Crisis
A Dialogue between Andrea Pia (London School of Economics and Political Science) and Andrea Muehlebach (University of Bremen).
16 June 2025
16:00 - 17:30 (CEST)
Online Event
The initial image of Earth, seen from space, resonated deeply with the early environmental movement, crystallising in the iconic "blue planet" metaphor: a cosmic treasure we are entrusted to protect in common. Yet, are we truly fulfilling this stewardship? The climate predicament has dramatically shifted our perception of the planet, highlighting ecological tipping points and boundaries we are reluctant to cross, alongside the anxiety of lacking the planetary institutions needed to bring global climate change under control. Climate escapism is increasingly taking root in the affluent West, manifesting in calls to terraform and colonise Mars. At the opposite end of the spectrum, China's vision of techno-mastery and centralised geoengineering has led many in the environmental movement to raise the prospect of "Climate Mao." In this talk, we revisit the blue planet metaphor as a crucial entry point into debates surrounding the planetary commons. Water, especially freshwater (as evoked by the "blue planet"), emerges as a remarkably effective vehicle for formulating a theory of the commons and commoning. The politics of access to water on a climate-challenged planet intertwines the crisis of survival with the social justice question of how we wish to live. Drawing insights from both Europe and China, we will engage in dialogue to explore the expansive potential of the language of the commons and commoning. We will examine how this framework can inform practices on the ground and generate a horizon of meaning for public institutions tasked with fostering a sustainable relationship with our planet.
Zoom Information:
https://uni-koeln.zoom.us/j/99882265827?pwd=NX4DBZPXlUik2qyPvwpUgfDFxw4b8s.1