Climate Change, Radical Uncertainty and Hope

Views on climate change are often either pessimistic or optimistic. In this book Jan Jorrit Hasselaar discovers and explores a third way, one of hope. A debate within economics on risk and uncertainty brings him to theological questions and the concept of hope in the work of the late Jonathan Sacks—and to a renewed way of doing theology as an account of the good life. What follows is an equal conversation between theology and economics as has hardly been undertaken in recent times. It emerges that hope is not contrary to economic insights, but remarkably compatible with them. Communication between these fields of expertise can open the way for a courageous and creative embrace of radical uncertainty in climate change. A key notion here is that of a public Sabbath, or a ‘workplace of hope’—times and places set aside to cultivate inspiration and mutual trust among all parties involved, enabling them to take concrete steps forward.

Hasselaar Jan Jorrit :

Dr. Jan Jorrit Hasselaar, theologian and economist, is Director of the Amsterdam Centre for Religion and Sustainable Development, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is research fellow of the University of the Western Cape (South Africa). Hasselaar chaired the working group ‘Sustainable Development’ of the Council of Churches in the Netherlands (2011-2018).

‘The radical uncertainty of climate change is not nearly often enough balanced with the inspirational hope of theology. This vital symmetry is highlighted by Jan Jorrit Hasselaar in his extraordinary comparative analysis of theology and economics.’
Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, Theological and Environmental Advisor to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

‘Although Christian theology talks about “God’s economy”, economists hardly talk about theology, especially not on challenges associated with climate change. Hasselaar bravely brings such discourses into “courageous conversation” with each other in order to confront anxiety and to encourage hope.’
Ernst M. Conradie, Senior Professor, Department of Religion and Theology, University of the Western Cape

‘This innovative book finds fresh perspectives on climate change by combining insights from economics and theology. In particular, the narrative of hope is set out as a promising third way between the dead ends of naïve optimism and pessimism.’
Lans Bovenberg, Senior Professor, Department of Economics, Tilburg University