Tag: environmentalism
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Ecofeminism: A Double-Edged Sword
First coined by Francoise d’Eaubonne in 1974, “ecological feminisme” hypothesises a uniquely female proclivity to conserve and care for the natural environment, and correlates this interrelationship with parallels in gender and environmental justice. This political philosophy stems from the notion of women-nature connections: women are biologically, and psycho-spiritually, closer to nature but, with that, the…
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Why We Need Solarpunk Fiction
Solarpunk fiction is the tag ascribed to an emerging field of visual and literary media, one that envisions potential futures characterised by sustainable technologies, urban biodiversity and socio-ecological harmony. The sub-genre comes as a response to the prevailing dystopian and post-apocalyptic narratives that predominate science fiction, illustrating hopeful alternatives to a bleak future. Within such…
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Putting a Price on Pollution: Carbon Tax versus Cap-and-Trade
One of the tensest intersections of society today occurs where the market meets its natural environment, inciting an intellectual rivalry between proponents of conservative economics and conservation ecology. Yet, emerging sub-disciplines like environmental (or ecological) economics serve to combine such polarised political interests through monetary tools to resource-saving ends. A major facet of this academic…
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How the Rich Caused the Climate Crisis
. . . and how they can solve it. In basic economics, when income rises so does demand for goods. With increased sales of cars, houses, holidays, luxury clothing and extravagant meals comes increased strain on the fossil fuels required to power those consumer choices. As energy policy professor Amiee Ambrose argued, the fastest way…
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Frankenstein Food or the Future: A Look at Italy’s Bill on Cultured Meat
The notion of our evolutionary omnivory is one of high controversy, undeniably inflamed by rounds of animal rights and radical diets as well as the rise of religious cross-culturalism. Recent decades have witnessed the commercialisation of various veggie substitutes like Quorn and Linda McCartney’s in sync with a global transition towards meat-less living. Despite falling…
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The Misrepresentation of Mushrooms
From classic to contemporary literature, and even written into law, fungi and their fruiting bodies have grown victim to a pretty bad rep. Mushrooms are notorious for their connotations of decay and rottenness, even poison, madness and death. In Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, the titular protagonist increases in size upon consuming a particular mushroom.…
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Biophilia and Beyond: The Case for Urban Greening
EDITING IN PROGRESS Ever since the philosophical reign of Rene Descartes in the Age of Enlightenment, nature has been undermined by a cultural ostracism of all deemed ‘wild’ and ‘savage’. Today, the Western world holds on to these outdated ideologies, actively seeking separation from the elements which give us life. By 2050, Homo sapiens will…
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Neonicotinoids: To Bee or Not To Bee?
Neonicotinoids – or neonics – are the fastest growing group of agricultural insecticides. Highly toxic to invertebrates, they work by compromising the central nervous system, leading to eventual paralysis and death. Neonics are a systemic pesticide meaning that they work from within. They’re typically applied in the form of a seed dressing, planted into the…
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The Importance of Art in Environmentalism
One of my favourite quotes is Pablo Picasso’s statement that “the purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” Making art invites an introspective escape from the monotonous buzz of society – which is vital for grounding oneself. Additionally, the provision of new sensory experiences enhances both self-esteem and sense…
Sapphic Space 