Climate Change

Abstract

This chapter examines sociological research on climate change by tracing the structural, institutional, and household forces that drive greenhouse gas emissions and environmental inequality. It explains how capitalism, colonialism, militarization, affluence, deforestation, and unequal exchange intensify climate impacts while reinforcing racial, economic, and geographic inequalities across communities. The chapter analyzes disaster vulnerability, migration, demographic change, environmental justice, public attitudes, misinformation, media framing, and political polarization to show how societies interpret and experience climate change. It also evaluates adaptation, climate activism, renewable energy adoption, decarbonization strategies, and the social conflicts surrounding mitigation policies and just transitions. Finally, the chapter identifies future directions for sociological research by emphasizing urban and rural transformation, alternative mitigation strategies, emerging technologies, and broader global perspectives across diverse political, economic, cultural, and ecological contexts.