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“Gaps” in Climate Change Knowledge: Do They Exist? Can They Be Filled?

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Abstract

There are many different ways of thinking about gaps in knowledge. Engraved on the copper face of the Lenox Globe circa 1500, one of the oldest known terrestrial globes, are the evocative words: “Here be dragons.”1 This was used by cartographers to signify dangerous or unexplored territories and drew on a long history from classical times when lack of knowledge equated to danger. This danger was illustrated visually by filling blank areas of maps with fierce-looking sea serpents, dragons, or mythological creatures to warn travelers of the risks they might face. For any user of the map, understanding where the boundaries of knowledge lay was almost as important as knowledge itself. Illusory knowledge was the greatest danger of all.

Description

Keywords

47 Language, Communication and Culture, 44 Human Society

Journal Title

Environmental Humanities

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2201-1919
2201-1919

Volume Title

10

Publisher

Duke University Press