Awareness as a Challenge: Learning Through Our Bodies on a Planet in Crisis

In the wake of the recent resurgence of interest in the concept of habit, this chapter examines the role that habits and habitual behaviour play in the tackling of complex issues such as the current environmental crisis. Indeed, as scholars working in the newly established, multidisciplinary field of Environmental Humanities have recently pointed out, we are now faced with central questions regarding human choices, human behaviour and habits. In what sense are human habits relevant to the current environmental crisis? Is it reasonable to expect individuals to change their habits to mitigate the effects of the environmental crisis? Since habits are usually understood as developing unconsciously, what strategies can be used in order to face the challenge?