The right to atmosphere

The growing recognition of atmospheric inequalities is leading to calls for the right to atmosphere. However, as a consequence of the diverse conceptions of what the atmosphere is and the diversity of atmosphere-related environmental and social advocacy, the right to atmosphere has been conceived in fundamentally contradictory ways, and the path to its achievement remains unclear. In this article, I propose an agonistic approach to the right to atmosphere that acknowledges both the power imbalances in atmospheric production and the plural, more-than-physical dimension of atmosphere. From this perspective, the embeddedness of difference and conflict in atmospherics should be understood as a creative force, as it activates atmospheric awareness and fosters political action, which is fundamental to overcoming the existing atmospheric inequalities based on the disenfranchisement of the people's atmospheric power. I argue that geographical research can play a fundamental role in this endeavor by promoting awareness of the multiple atmospheric dynamics – both physical and affective – that play a role in our lives, and by placing emphasis on ongoing atmospheric struggles and activism.