Elizabeth A. Povinelli, an anthropologist, in her work ‘Between Gaia and Ground’, explores the dark side of Western enlightenment, highlighting a history marked by exploitation and the oppression of both our planet and its marginalized communities.
The multiple crises we live in are clear.
Yet, we overlook the roots — centuries of colonialism that intertwine with today’s inequality and environmental degradation, sustaining privileges for a few.
And we overlook the future, where our neoliberal outlook only lightly touches upon the vital, transformative demands of anti-colonial and anti-capitalist movements.
Green initiatives that are presented as solutions to the climate crisis have often devastating impacts on already fragile environments and populations.
Recycling, for example, has largely been transferring waste from affluent urban areas in some countries to impoverished regions in others.
There’s a pervasive blindness.
However, in our pressing crisis, there’s hope — a call to value the knowledge and practices of those historically marginalized or silenced.
The solution to our environmental and societal challenges lies in appreciating the knowledge and practices of those.
We must focus on listening, understanding and respect.
Western ideology, historically based on colonial conquest, has exploited indigenous people’s wisdom for its gain, rather than recognizing its potential to foster a symbiotic relationship with nature.
Indigenous people and local communities have formed deep connections with what many consider mere ‘things’. For example, a river for some ethnicities is not just a water body that we can exploit, but a living entity that deserves respect and protection.
Our legal frameworks prioritize private property, but they are gradually recognizing the rights of natural entities. This slow shift is crucial.
Our systems and practices are flawed. We need a fundamental change, drawing from Indigenous people’s practices to protect their lands and our planet.
Povinelli embraces a new path for conservation, in which we need a pragmatic approach, aimed at breaking down colonial power structures, while also being aware of the specific conditions of local existence.
Embracing diverse knowledge and moving away from colonialism’s shadows is vital for a balanced coexistence with nature. We must listen.
