Global Risk Society: Climate Crisis, Uncertainty and the Sociology of Fear
Chapter from the book: Yılmaz, M. (ed.) 2026. Social Problems and Social Policy in the Era of AI-I .

Arif Akbaş
Sivas Cumhuriyet University

Synopsis

This study examines the dynamics of uncertainty generated by the climate crisis within the framework of the global risk society, and explores the implications of these dynamics for the sociology of fear. It is increasingly evident that the climate crisis has moved beyond being merely an environmental issue and has transformed into a multidimensional risk domain that reshapes economic, political, and social spheres. Rising temperatures, climate-induced disasters, ecological degradation, and resource scarcity undermine the capacity of individuals and societies to anticipate the future; consequently, risk perceptions become shaped more prominently through emotional foundations. In this context, fear emerges as a crucial component influencing both individual behaviors and collective action processes. The article discusses how risk discourses related to the climate crisis are produced by the media, political actors, and scientific authorities, and analyzes the types of fear these discourses evoke within society. Moreover, it argues that in an era marked by the global expansion of risk and the proliferation of uncertainties, fear has evolved into a structural element that affects not only individual emotions but also social relations, public policies, and practices of social solidarity. By focusing on the fear regime produced by the climate crisis within the global risk society, this study aims to offer a sociological analysis that provides a holistic perspective on the relationship among risk, uncertainty and affect.

How to cite this book

Akbaş, A. (2026). Global Risk Society: Climate Crisis, Uncertainty and the Sociology of Fear. In: Yılmaz, M. (ed.), Social Problems and Social Policy in the Era of AI-I . Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1256.c5110

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Published

March 18, 2026

DOI