The Toyota Corolla Years | C4E Presents #020

Michael Rubenstein explores the emerging field of "energy humanities" and the relationship between literature, energy systems, and environmental concerns. Host Heather Lynch and Rubenstein, associate professor in the Department of English and Director of the Humanities Institute, how energy regimes shape human consciousness and cultural outputs. Rubenstein reflects on literature's role in helping humanity navigate the impasse between acknowledging the need to transition away from fossil fuels and the political challenges of doing so.Learn more with:“The Ministry for the Future” by Kim Stanley Robinson“Michael Rubenstein Illuminates a New Field of Research: Energy Humanities ”“New Course on Energy, Climate and Society Is a Cross-College Collaboration”Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you:00:29 Literature's Power to Understand Climate Change01:57 Defining Energy Humanities03:34 Transitioning from Fossil Fuels to Green Energy5:22 The Parallel Between Elon Musk and Henry Ford06:43 Literature as a Source of Climate Solutions09:07 Climate Activism in Fiction vs. Reality11:55 Democracy's Relationship with Fossil Fuels14:13 How Climate Change is Transforming the Novel19:59 Humanity's Responsibility to the Planet24:21 Conservatism in Environmental Humanities26:26 Obligations to Address Climate ChangeTell a friend and share a link to this episode.You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio.Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.phpFor all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbuC4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.Host: Heather LynchEditor: J.D. AllenProducer: Rachel Lea Program manager: Jennifer Gilday