The world is grappling with the climate crisis, but often we get lost in the numbers and targets. While focusing on high-level pledges, we miss a bigger issue: ecological myopia. This term refers to treating climate change as just another problem, rather than recognizing it as a sign of deeper Earth system disruptions. This narrow view allows us to act as if everything will remain stable.
Take the Amazon rainforest, for instance. As it faces severe drought, the upcoming UN climate summit in Brazil in November 2025 is crucial. The current situation highlights that we can no longer view climate change as merely an environmental issue. It’s a planetary one that intertwines with our economic and social lives.
Experts in political geoecology stress that politics and ecology are interconnected. Decisions made today—about energy use, land management, and industrial practices—shape our future climate risks and inequalities. Yet, many still describe extreme weather like record heat or flooding as mere anomalies instead of understanding them as clear signs of climate change impacting food prices and public health.
Surveys reveal that many companies working toward net-zero targets still expand their operations, contributing to emissions. Governments often delegate climate responsibility to environmental ministries, ignoring that significant actions occur in finance and security sectors. This disjointed approach must change.
The past decade has seen the hottest global temperatures recorded. The Amazon, which hosts this summit, is experiencing crippling droughts that disrupt not just local ecosystems, but entire regional systems as well. This situation isn’t isolated; it’s a reflection of the immense pressure being placed on our planet. Our modern lives rely largely on burning fossil fuels for energy—a process that disrupts natural systems globally, leading to destructive consequences.
To effectively address the climate crisis, we need a shift in perspective. Political geoecology emphasizes that everything we need—energy, food, health—is tied to the Earth. This lens changes our priorities. Climate policy should be fused with economic and social policies, linking emissions targets to land use and industrial activities.
Recognizing and incorporating indigenous and local knowledge can bolster resilience. For example, protecting the Amazon is not just about preserving trees but also about maintaining the rainfall systems essential for life in the region. This viewpoint aligns with concepts of planetary governance, focusing on how societies can manage resources within ecological limits rather than treating climate change as an isolated concern. As the earth’s systems change, it impacts various sectors, from agriculture to energy production.
To combat ecological myopia, we need to rethink how we interact with our planet. The Amazon, often called the lungs of the Earth, serves as a reminder of our close ties to nature and its vulnerability. This is a call to action: we must adjust our narratives, institutional designs, and economic decisions to reflect the interconnectedness of climate and society.
