#environmental degradation

[queering-ecology]

Chap 12. Melancholy Natures, Queer Ecologies by Catriona Mortimer-Sandilands (part 3, final)

Queer Ecologies

‘what it might mean to inhabit the natural world having been transformed by the experience of its loss’?

‘[the queer artist's] natures are not saved wildernesses; they are wrecks, barrens, cutovers, nuclear power plants: unlikely refuges and impossible gardens. But they are also sites for extraordinary reflection on life, beauty, and community’ (344)

AIDS and Other Clear-Cuts

The artist (Jan Zita Grover’s North Enough) writes about moving from San Francisco, where she has worked as a personal caregiver to many individuals who were dying, and died of, AIDS, eventually to the woods of Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota hoping for ‘a geographic cure’ to her burnout and grief. (344)

‘in their persistence [grief, mourning], generate a form of imagination—an awareness of the persistence of loss—that allows her to conceive of the natural world around her in ways that challenge the logic of commodity substitution characterizing contemporary relations of nature consumption” (344)

“The north woods did not provide me with a geographic cure. But they did something much finer. Instead of ready-made solutions, they offered me an unanticipated challenge, a spiritual discipline: to appreciate them, I needed to learn how to see their scars, defacement, and artificiality and then beyond those to their strengths—their historicity, the difficult beauties that underlay their deformity.  AIDS, I believe, prepared me to perform these imaginative feats. In learning to know and love the north woods, not as they are fancied but as they are, I discovered the lessons that AIDS had taught me and became grateful for them” (344)

Rather than the landscape of her dreams, the land looks more like a candidate for reclamation. Through Grover’s research we learn that the region is one that been ‘systematically abused: logged several times, drained, subjected to failed attempts at agriculture, depleted, abandoned, eroded, invaded, neglected.”

Jack pines are predominant in the region; tenacious, ‘the first conifers to reestablish themselves after a fire” (16), in their own way remarkable even as they are useless for lumber, short lived, and not at all the sorts of trees about which adjectives like ‘breathtaking’ circulate” (345) they are a loud testament to the violence that has generated them.

“the diminishment of this landscape mortified and disciplined me. Its scars will outlast me, bearing witness for decades beyond my death to the damage done here” (20) But still: the love emerges, painfully, gradually, intimately. (345)

She experiences the landscape in terms of loss and change, rather than idyll and replacement. It is all personal; it is all about developing a way of making meaning that recognizes the singularities of the past and takes responsibility for the future in the midst of intimate devastation. (345)

‘Environmental hubris’—fly fishing, the introduction of non-native fish to the river, changing temperatures of rivers caused by logging and diversion; specific policies, politics, and technologies that have had effects on the rivers, the fish, and the other species throughout the river and the north woods (356)

A refusal to demonize the ‘invasive’ species; Grover herself is ‘invasive’ both culturally and personally (white settlers and big city imports) thus her ethical claim is not for purity but for an active and thoughtful remembering of historical violences in the midst of ongoing necessity of movement and change (346)

Seek relationships with Clear-cuts and landfills in order to bring to the foreground the massive weight of human devastation of the natural world; “a discerning eye can see how unstewarded most of this land has been. The charm lies in finding ways to love with such loss and pull from it what beauties remain” (81) (347)

“she does not romanticize the dying even as she might mourn their loss to the world; instead [through Grover] we witness each loss as particular, irrevocable, and concrete: she is their witness” (347)

Can we learn to see these landscapes as creation as well as destruction?

Rather than mourn the loss of the pristine, she carefully cultivates an attitude of appreciation of what lies before her, beyond the aesthetic wilderness to the intricate details of human interactions with the species and landscapes of the region. In this manner she comes to be able to find the beauty in, for example, landfills and clearcuts; far from naivete or technophilia, this ability is grounded in a commitment to recognizing the simultaneity of death and life in these landscapes, the glut of aspen-loving birds in the clear-cut, the swallows, turkey vultures, and bald eagles near the landfill.

--

It is necessary to face our fear and pain; we have to make room in our relationships with the natural world, queer and otherwise, for the recognition that that is what we might be feeling in the first place (355)

#queer ecologies: sex nature politics desire #queer ecology #queer theory #ecofeminism #critical ecology #environmental politics #ecology #aids crisis #mourning nature #ecogrief #colonialism #environmental degradation #melancholia #queer politics #melancholy #environmentalism #climate and environment #environmental justice #forests

[aberration13]

#environment #environmental degradation #linguistics #etymology #my stuff #car culture #suburbification #suburbia #highways #green future

[seawallblvd]

Listen/purchase: REREX 1 by James Ferraro

#bandcamp #seapunk #mantaray #wetwear #environmental degradation

[ukdamo]

Talking Turkeys

Benjamin Zephaniah

Be nice to yu turkeys dis christmas Cos’ turkeys just wanna hav fun Turkeys are cool, turkeys are wicked An every turkey has a Mum. Be nice to yu turkeys dis christmas, Don’t eat it, keep it alive, It could be yu mate, an not on your plate Say, Yo! Turkey I’m on your side. I got lots of friends who are turkeys An all of dem fear christmas time, Dey wanna enjoy it, dey say humans destroyed it An humans are out of dere mind, Yeah, I got lots of friends who are turkeys Dey all hav a right to a life, Not to be caged up an genetically made up By any farmer an his wife.

Turkeys just wanna play reggae Turkeys just wanna hip-hop Can yu imagine a nice young turkey saying, ‘I cannot wait for de chop’, Turkeys like getting presents, dey wanna watch christmas TV, Turkeys hav brains an turkeys feel pain In many ways like yu an me.

I once knew a turkey called…Turkey He said “Benji explain to me please, Who put de turkey in christmas An what happens to christmas trees?”, I said “I am not too sure turkey But it’s nothing to do wid Christ Mass Humans get greedy an waste more dan need be An business men mek loadsa cash’.

Be nice to yu turkey dis christmas Invite dem indoors fe sum greens Let dem eat cake an let dem partake In a plate of organic grown beans, Be nice to yu turkey dis christmas An spare dem de cut of de knife, Join Turkeys United an dey’ll be delighted An yu will mek new friends ‘FOR LIFE’.

#poetry #benjamin zephaniah #turkeys #birds #christmas #capitalism #waste #environmental degradation #religion #money

[indizombie]

Waghmore says the heightened sense of privileged individualism—where the rich have the means to fend for themselves—“has the worst consequences in poor countries, where governments are yet to invest morally and economically in public infrastructure and transport to counter environmental degradation.” K, who regularly treats those suffering from India’s air pollution inequality, puts it more succinctly. “I don’t think people should live with this,” she say, adding that everyone needs to take demand solutions. “If you don’t get something as basic as fresh air, then what’s the point of living in our country?”

Akanksha Singh, ‘The Alarming Rise of India’s Pay-to-Breathe Industry’, Wired

#Suryakant Waghmore #privileged individualism #government investment #poverty #public infrastructure #transport #environmental degradation #air pollution inequality #India #Wired #Akanksha Singh

[commiepinkofag]

capitalist ‘accountability’ / environmental ‘justice’ 

Coterra entered a plea to Prohibition Against Discharge of Industrial Wastes, a violation of the Clean Streams Law. As part of the plea agreement, Coterra will pay $16.29 million toward a new regulated public water line as well as payment of 75 years of water bills for the impacted homeowners. This money will also be used to provide treatment systems to treat the homeowners’ water supplies and the provision of bottled water while the public water line is under construction. [Attorney General Public Relations]

here’s a related art project from 2016:

Neztlū Waters® Pure Frack® Privatized Water™ 

#water justice #water rights #water #human rights #fracking #environmentalism #environment #big oil #nature #neztlu #water is life #pure frack #privatized water #capitalism #neztlu waters #gas industry #cabot #epa #reparations #pennsylvania #department of environment #water contamination #coterra energy #fossil fuel #fossil fuel industry #environmental degradation #climate change #environmental justice #mike ludwig #dimock

[bumblebeeappletree]

Every week, Eco India brings you stories that inspire you to build a cleaner, greener and better tomorrow.

Just a few kilometers from here in Mumbai. Marine life, and especially coral colonies here are threatened by pollution and environmental degradation. A collective of young marine activists is working to create awareness and safeguard the city’s coastline.

CREDIT:

Supervising Producer: Nooshin Mowla Script and Field Producer: Pracheta Sharma Video Editor: Amit Garg (Metro Media Works) Associate Producer: Ipsita Basu Director of Photography: Dhiraj Katkade

Executive Producer: Sannuta Raghu

********

Eco India is a co-production between DW and Scroll.in. You can watch the full episodes on https://scroll.in/topic/56120/eco-india

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#scroll.in #eco india #solarpunk #tidalpunk #india #Mumbai #ocean #sea #marine life #coral #pollution #environmental degradation #concrete #coastline #Youtube

[kp777]

Global heating risks most cataclysmic extinction of marine life in 250m years

#oceans #ocean warming #mass extinction #marine life #climate change #environmental degradation #ecosystem degradation #enviroment

[snowonthebeachftlana]

i hate this stupid fucking country and its stupid fucking political and media establishment so much

#just deliberately shoving us backwards as fast as possible into transphobia poverty inequality bigotry crumbling infrastructure and #environmental degradation #and the opposition party want to continue all of this when they inevitably win the next election by a landslide #cunts the lot of them

[sanjay-mohindroo]

"Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans." - Jacques Yves Cousteau

Sanjay Mohindroo Sanjay Mohindroo. stayingalive.in The Global Challenge: Protecting Our Essential Fluids: Understanding the Impact of Pollution on Water and Air Welcome, fellow Earth stewards, to a discussion on a topic close to our hearts: the protection of our planet’s essential fluids, water, and air. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, it’s essential to recognize the profound…

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#Air pollution #Climate change #Environmental awareness #Environmental degradation #Essential fluids #Global garbage cans #Life sustenance #news #Plastic pollution #Pollution impact #Sanjay K Mohindroo #Sanjay Kumar Mohindroo #sanjay mohindroo #Water pollution

[juicy-fruit-aka-adi]

#climate change #environmental degradation #earth #gaia #ignorance #fascism #colonialism #fypツ #fyp

[ericartem]

Extinction or the Dystopian Realms of Warhammer 40,000 Galaxy

Extinction or the Dystopian Realms of Warhammer 40,000 Galaxy #artem #CollapseofAncientCivilizations

Content 18+ In the shadows of the present, ominous signs loom large on the horizon, casting a pall over the fate of humanity. As global temperatures rise and conflicts erupt with increasing frequency, the specter of extinction looms ominously over the collective consciousness. In the wake of recent geopolitical upheavals, such as the Russian-Ukraine conflict and simmering tensions in the Red Sea…

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#artem #Collapse of Ancient Civilizations #Environmental degradation #Geopolitical Instability #Global Climate Change #Historical Environmental Mismanagement #Israel-Palestine Conflict #Modern Warfare and Conflict #Red Sea Tensions #Russian-Ukraine Conflict

[kesarijournal]

Deciphering Modi: The Saga of Triumphs and Tribulations in Indian Democracy

### In Praise of Narendra Modi: A Chronicle of Unprecedented GeniusIn an era where mediocrity often masquerades as competence, Narendra Modi stands as a beacon of unparalleled brilliance, guiding India towards a utopian future previously unseen by the lesser mortals of politics. With a wave of his magic wand, Modi has transformed the Indian economy, making the mythical Midas blush in the…

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#2024 #autocracy #blockbuster governance #blockchain #CAA #controversies #COVID-19 pandemic #deforestation #democracy vs. autocracy #demonetization #Digital India #digital transformation #dramatic irony #economic challenges #economic reforms #environmental degradation #environmental policy #Goods and Services Tax #governance failure #GST #Indian democracy #Indian economy #Indian politics #infrastructure development #internet accessibility #leadership style #Modi&039;s India #Modi&039;s legacy #Narendra Modi #NRC

[mexicanistnet]

Acapulco faces organized crime and environmental degradation post-Hurricane Otis. Paralyzed transport, protests, and contaminated beaches paint a grim picture. Yet, international solidarity and reconstruction efforts offer hope toward renewal.

#Acapulco #organized crime #environmental degradation #Hurricane Otis #contaminated beaches

[research-related-blogs]

A Global Strive to Enhance the Green Technology and Sustainability Market

In light of growing global problems such as climate change, population growth, environmental pollution, and inefficient use and depletion of natural resources, countries need to employ technologies and approaches towards economic activity that are environmentally less harmful and that preserve resources. Sustainable development is associated with less environmental damage and is driven by comprehensive and all-encompassing policies, both international and of single countries that take into account the needs of future generations. Among these policies, several suggest employing green technologies. The green technology and sustainability market are expected to expand as global efforts intensify to address climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation.

The development of smart cities integrating green infrastructure, sustainable transportation, energy-efficient buildings, and smart technologies contributes to urban sustainability efforts. Initiatives promoting circular economy models, recycling, waste reduction, and sustainable packaging solutions address the challenges of waste management and resource utilization. Competitors are preparing and making long-term commitments in a stable framework favorable to meeting everyone's requirements and developing ever more efficient and ecologically responsible solutions. They fulfill high environmental standards by producing low global warming potential solutions, following other environmental guidelines, and respecting their clients' energy consumption reduction demands.

#greentechnology #sustainability #environmental degradation #global warming

[jaideepkhanduja]

Pakistan at Crossroads: Navigating Terrorism, Climate Crisis, and Debt Challenges

Pakistan at Crossroads: Navigating Terrorism, Climate Crisis, and Debt Challenges #Pakistan #FATF #TerrorismFinancing #ExternalDebtCrisis #climateChange

In the complex landscape of global challenges, Pakistan finds itself under intense scrutiny for multiple reasons. From its persistent inclusion in the FATF’s grey list since 2018 due to concerns about terrorism financing to grappling with the profound impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, Pakistan faces a precarious future. The country’s vulnerability to climate-related…

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#Climate Change #Economic Development #environmental degradation #External Debt Crisis #FATF #Geopolitics #Global Challenges #International Relations #Pakistan #terrorism financing