Human-nature relationships: navigating a privileged white landscape

Mcphie, Jamie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5290-1685 and Clarke, David A.G. (2021) Human-nature relationships: navigating a privileged white landscape. In: Thomas, Glyn, Dyment, Janet and Prince, Heather, (eds.) Outdoor environmental education in higher education: international perspectives. International explorations in outdoor and environmental education (IEOEE), 9 . Springer, Cham, Switzerland, pp. 39-49.

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Abstract

It can be tempting to think of experiences in ‘nature’, and building ‘human-nature’ relationships, as relatively politically neutral, or even straightforwardly beneficial. In this chapter we point out a danger in this approach. We take account of the present rise of the far-right and ecofascism to offer a brief critical material overview of some of the political positions which have informed the birth of some key terms in Western environmental thinking – including ecology, ecosystems, and holism. Further to this, we discuss the re-emergence of fascist ecologies and highlight the fine line between simplistic, dualistically-informed, environmental advocacy and racist and bigoted misanthropy. We suggest that tackling environmental problems is more challenging than building connections or relationships with a perceived ‘nature’ and that outdoor and environmental educators need to remain ever vigilant of the political ramifications of the knowledges of ‘nature’ which inform their pedagogies.

Item Type:	Book Section
Publisher:	Springer
ISBN:	9783030759803
Departments:	Institute of Science and Environment > Outdoor Studies
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	14 Mar 2023 15:34
Last Modified:	13 Jan 2024 12:46
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/6975

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