Humans have grappled with the terror of death for their entire existence. Instead of allowing this fear to control their lives, humans have developed numerous ways to manage this terror. One of the most utilized forms of terror management is religion. As discussed in “The Worm at the Core,” religion may have been created as a way to mitigate the fear of death. With a larger governing body providing order and a promise of something more after life, humans are able to live without death-related terror. However, in recent years, the US has seen a generational shift away from religion, as there has been a sharp increase in the number of people identifying as non-religious (In U.S.). This generational change leads to the question of whether this shift in terror management has also led to a shift in attitudes surrounding death. 

However, this shift from organized religion has been accompanied with great innovation in technology. This new technology is versatile, but has mainly furthered the quest for immortality. “The Worm at the Core” highlighted how new developments in medicine are actually ways to seek immortality and extend life. Seeing new generations subscribe to science and step back from religion suggests that reliance on science and its ability to extend life is a growing form of terror management. 

Terror management is not solely an individual matter, as individuals bring their fear of death into the work and political spheres. With a shift towards science as a form of terror management, we may also see a shift in policy. As discussed by Lynas in their piece “The God Species,” humans subconsciously lessen their responsibility for issues they deem “out of their control.” This is seen with climate change policy as politicians who identify as religious are more likely to see climate change effects as out of their control, and therefore less likely to take political action. However, with a shift towards reliance on science, politicians of younger generations may be more likely to assume responsibility for the impact of human behavior and advocate for systemic change.

Therefore, terror management is inherently tied to climate change policy. We are constantly reminded of our own mortality by our changing natural environment, and that forces us to find ways to manage this terror. By relying on science instead of an all-governing spiritual body, we may be able to create policies that lead the Anthropocene towards a healthier environment. 

Young people carry placards during a climate change march in Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 26, 2021.  Yuliia Ovsiannikova/ Ukrinform/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

References

“In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace.” Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project, 9 June 2020, https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/. 

Lynas, Mark. “Prelude.” The God Species: Saving the Planet in the Age of Humans, National Geographic, Washington, D.C., 2011, pp. 3–13.

Solomon, Sheldon, et al. The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life. Penguin Books, 2016.