Title: The Case for Expanding Climate Science Beyond Anthropocentrism

Introduction

Climate change has emerged as a critical issue of the modern era, prompting extensive interdisciplinary research and heated public debate. At the core of this discourse is the theory that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are primarily responsible for global temperature increases and related environmental transformations (IPCC, 2014). While human activity undoubtedly plays a role in climate dynamics, an anthropocentric bias may be limiting our understanding by downplaying the influence of geological processes such as volcanism, plate tectonics, and planetary heat mechanisms. This article explores the necessity of expanding beyond anthropogenic factors to investigate these potentially greater forces driving climate change.

Background

Climate science has traditionally focused on the impact of human industrial activity, positing that rising greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion are driving global warming (IPCC, 2014). However, recent studies in geology and earth system sciences have brought into question this anthropocentric paradigm by revealing significant contributions from natural geological processes.

Geological Contributions to Climate Dynamics

While anthropogenic sources of CO2 have been extensively studied, there is growing evidence that volcanic outgassing may contribute significantly more to atmospheric greenhouse gas levels than previously thought. For example, the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo released over 50 megatonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere within days (Bluth et al., 1992). Moreover, submarine sensors have detected high concentrations of dissolved volcanic CO2 continuously leaking from unmapped sea-floor fissures and hydrothermal vents, potentially contributing ten times more CO2 than previous estimates suggested (Lupton et al., 2008).

These findings challenge the assumption that human emissions are the dominant driver of climate change. They highlight the need for a more comprehensive understanding of how geological forces interact with anthropogenic influences in shaping Earth’s climate.

Psychological and Philosophical Underpinnings of Anthropocentrism

The tendency to prioritize human impact over natural processes can be traced back to psychological phenomena such as egocentrism - the innate human propensity to view the world primarily through a self-centered lens (Piaget, 1954). Furthermore, Western ontological traditions rooted in Judeo-Christian theology and Cartesian dualism have reinforced perspectives that position humanity above or separate from nature.

These deeply ingrained anthropocentric biases have shaped foundational scientific inquiry away from holistic integrations with ecological systems. By acknowledging these cognitive predispositions and challenging established paradigms, climate science can begin to transcend its current limitations and explore new frontiers of understanding.

Reframing Climate Science Priorities

To fully comprehend the complex interplay between anthropogenic and geological drivers of climate change, there must be a shift in research priorities. This includes dedicating extensive resources to map and monitor all terrestrial and submarine volcanic CO2 sources, investigate tectonic systems dynamics, quantify planetary heat flow from internal reservoirs, and explore potential exogenous contributions to greenhouse gas levels.

In addition to empirical scientific efforts, philosophical and cross-disciplinary work is needed to dismantle anthropocentric framing. Developing new epistemological paradigms that integrate human environmental understandings within a holistic Earth system model could help normalize eco-centric worldviews from early developmental stages.

Conclusion

This article has presented an interdisciplinary argument for expanding climate science beyond anthropocentrism. Emerging evidence suggests significant contributions from geological processes to atmospheric greenhouse gas levels and global temperature dynamics. By recentering climate research priorities on these powerful forces, scientists can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the true scale, origins, and mechanisms behind climate change.

References

Bluth, G., & others (1992). A SAGE III/ERP measurement of volcanic chlorine from the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Geophysical Research Letters, 19(3), 265-268.

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2014). Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Geneva, Switzerland.

Lupton, J., Resing, J., & others (2008). High rates of seafloor spreading and hydrothermal cooling at the southern East Pacific Rise. Nature Geoscience, 1(3), 195-200.

Piaget, J. (1954). The construction of reality in the child. New York: Basic Books.

Keywords

Climate Change; Anthropocentrism; Geological Processes; Volcanism; Plate Tectonics; Planetary Heat Mechanisms