The Sea Will Rise, Barbuda Will Survive: Environment and Time Consciousness

Abstract

In this article, we examine the link between environmental consciousnesses and time consciousness. We argue that the  way people think about time shapes their experience of climate change threats. We contrast western hegemonic concepts  of time—the Gregorian Calendar, the Dooms Day Clock, linear time—with the way Barbudans of Antigua and  Barbuda, an island nation in the Caribbean experience time—cyclical, through boom and bust cycles. We found that this  boom and bust framework was indeed supported by climate change and weather experiences on the island—hurricanes,  droughts, changes in the lagoons—as well as economic experiences—cargo boat delays bringing supplies, paycheck  delays. By understanding local explanatory models of time, especially those that contrast to western climate science  frameworks of time, better solution-driven work can be achieved in the face of climate change realities.