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Earth and life scientists examine various environmental topics with an interest in understanding historical and present day changes in the biogeochemical systems which provide the planetary context for the existence of life. Alternatively, social and behavioral scientists investigate a broad range of environmentally related subject matter from the perspective of how individuals, institutions, and societies conceive of and impact natural systems. Articulating between these domains of knowledge are those engaged in humanistic and more generally, humanities-based research with an attendant focus on ideas growing out of the philosophy of science. In this chapter, I attempt to accomplish three primary objectives. First, the prospect for an integrated study of climate change and culture shift is discussed. Second, a heterodox approach to understanding the biophysical basis of economic productivity is presented. This approach takes as its underlying premise the idea that unimpeded consumption of fossil fuels will narrow the range of possible climate scenarios on Earth as humanity attempts to orchestrate its future out of the social and natural system states available. Third, data from the United States Department of Energy Information are examined as a means of bringing to light, at least, one of the immediate effects that a warming climate will have on American citizens, the ability to artificially cool their home environments. Last, I offer my own thoughts on what these observations perhaps "mean" in a broader sense relative to looming environmental hazards and the existential imperatives associated with a planetary decline in ecological health. This discussion includes ideas on how "the good life" may be redefined as a consequence of the duel drivers of climate change and culture shift as well as the potential for human growth and development amidst such challenging times. Throughout the chapter, a partial synthesis and incorporation of ideas presented in Chaps. 2–6 is provided. Within the broader narrative issued by this text, the following chapter serves as a bridge between the book's first and second halves; between the world as it has been continuously re-imagined and as it promises, however tentatively, to someday be.

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-7353-0_7

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