On 8 October 2024, Prof. Dr. Mareile Flitsch delivered her final lecture at the University of Zurich to approximately 80 first, second, and third-year anthropology students. The lecture examined the relationship between anthropology and the environment, with a particular focus on the concept of "overheating" as proposed by anthropologist Thomas Eriksen. This concept examines how globalisation and human impact on the planet have resulted in an accelerated and unbalanced pace of life, particularly in the context of the Anthropocene. 

Additionally, Flitsch emphasised the contributions of other prominent anthropologists, including Tim Ingold, Philippe Descola, and Eduardo Viveiros de Castro, who have advocated for a decolonising approach to environmental knowledge. These scholars promote the integration of indigenous perspectives in understanding the environment, moving away from traditional Western views. The lecture emphasised the rapid development of climate change anthropology, with Franz Krause's work in the Mackenzie Delta serving as an example of contemporary research.

The Kawésqar and Climate Change: An Analysis A Perspective from Patagonia As part of the session, Francisco González was invited to present the case of the Kawésqar, an indigenous people from Chilean Patagonia. Mr. González explained that the Kawésqar have lived in harmony with their environment for millennia, dividing their territory into two distinct areas: the maritime zone, known as "Čams," and the terrestrial zone, called "Wæs." However, climate change, both natural and anthropogenic, has had a significant impact on these ecosystems. Ocean acidification, rising temperatures and the increasing frequency of red tides have had a severe impact on the traditional livelihoods of the Kawésqar and their small-scale subsistence economy, which is based on fishing and gathering from the sea.

Mr González also outlined the challenges currently facing the community. Despite the Chilean state's implementation of environmental conservation policies within the extensive ancestral territory of the Kawésqar since the 1960s, these policies have not recognised the rights of indigenous peoples as the first inhabitants and still active communities. The Kawésqar are seeking formal recognition of their ancestral territories and the preservation of their cultural heritage and language. The Kawésqar People Foundation is a community-led initiative that aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of the environment and the inclusion of indigenous communities in political decision-making processes.

Following the lecture, a discussion was held between the students and the speakers, focusing on the current challenges in anthropology, particularly the necessity for new research on the effects of climate change on local communities, such as the Kawésqar. They considered the importance of this research for the future of the discipline and for addressing urgent issues such as climate change and social justice, in which they are key stakeholders as the new generation.

Final Thoughts for Future Anthropologists: In the concluding slides of the presentation, Prof. Flitsch offered a thought-provoking reflection for the anthropology students. She highlighted the vital role that anthropologists play in today's world, where their comparative and localized research can provide insights and solutions to global challenges. Eriksen states that anthropology offers invaluable insights into the relationship between climate and society, while also providing a framework for addressing climate change from a more holistic and human-centric perspective. Furthermore, Flitsch highlighted that anthropology teaches that society is not static and that there are multiple viable ways to organise life. This provides future anthropologists with a vast field of possibilities to explore.