Amitav Ghosh Addresses Climate Change and Migration at Humanities Symposium
Renowned author Amitav Ghosh addressed the Humanities Symposium on climate change and migration, emphasizing their interconnection. He discussed his book “The Great Derangement,” underscoring the need for interdisciplinary solutions to address global challenges. Attendees engaged deeply with his reflections on technology’s role and shared personal migration narratives, leading to a broader discussion on the ethical responsibilities of individuals in various fields.
Amitav Ghosh, an acclaimed author and environmental activist, delivered a compelling keynote address at the Humanities Symposium on March 13, titled “The Great Uprooting: Migration and Movement in the Age of Climate Change.” His speech integrated themes from his non-fiction book “The Great Derangement,” illuminating the intricate link between climate change and human migration, while prompting the audience to contemplate the broader ramifications of the climate crisis on displaced communities.
Dr. Billy Friebele, the Humanities Symposium Director and Associate Professor of Visual Arts at Loyola, noted that Ghosh’s book approaches the climate crisis from an interdisciplinary perspective. He stated, “The book is about how each discipline has a role to play in climate change and coming up with solutions. It’s not your typical climate change book that is full of depressing facts and figures. It’s more about how we, as individuals in our respective fields, need to think about climate change and its impact.”
During his address, Ghosh highlighted how climate change intensifies migration patterns worldwide. Drawing from his experiences visiting migrant camps in Italy, he shared insights from his interviews with individuals affected by both environmental and political upheavals. Ghosh recounted, “My own family was displaced from Bangladesh from a climate event in the 1990s. I started speaking to these migrants in 2017 because, unlike many journalists, I speak their languages and can offer a different perspective.”
Furthermore, Ghosh emphasized the pivotal role of technology, particularly cell phones, in contemporary migration. He described these devices as essential tools for migrants, providing safety and communication during treacherous journeys. “Every link in the chain of movement depends on cell phones. Their mobile devices are their compasses that guide them on their journeys. When migrants confront danger, their first move is to call someone for help,” he stated.
The symposium generated significant engagement from attendees, reflecting the importance of its themes. Ana Sofia Calderon, a student attending as part of her history class, resonated with the discussion as it paralleled her family’s migration narrative. She remarked, “I was personally interested as well because all of my grandparents are immigrants. My grandparents from the Dominican Republic escaped Rafael Trujillo, a brutal dictator. So this being the foundation of why my family is in the US has always led me to be curious and passionate about people’s journeys of migration.”
Calderon also noted the evolving nature of migration, especially with the integration of technology. “Ghosh talked a lot about the role of cell phones in migration and how they’re used as tools and serve as communication devices that are imperative, safety-wise, direction-wise, etc. It’s fascinating to me how much we’ve progressed,” she added.
Dr. Friebele elaborated on the symposium’s representation of Loyola’s commitment to liberal arts by emphasizing interdisciplinary dialogue. He expressed, “I think this event is the sort of embodiment of the liberal arts mission. It’s amazing to sit in that room and hear the perspective of a theology student and then hear the perspectives of a writing student… we’re all reading this text and we’re all contributing to this larger discussion.”
As the symposium concluded, Ghosh challenged the audience to rethink their perspectives on migration and climate change: “It is not enough to understand the issues. It is time to rethink how we view migration and climate change, and how we, in our own disciplines, can contribute to solutions.” This event served as a poignant call to action for Loyola students and faculty, highlighting the urgent need for collaborative efforts in addressing the intertwining issues of climate change and human migration.
In summary, Amitav Ghosh’s keynote at the Humanities Symposium effectively illuminated the crucial interconnection between climate change and human migration. Through shared personal narratives and discussions on technology’s role, he fostered an enriching dialogue that urged attendees to reconsider their responsibilities within their respective fields. This event emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing global challenges, reinforcing the mission of liberal arts education at Loyola.
Original Source: thegreyhound.org
