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Decolonial Ecologies

A 99 Questions Podcast Series by Aouefa Amoussouvi


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English
Part of: 99 Questions
Colonialism and Coloniality

Decolonial Ecologies is a six-episode podcast series addressing the power dynamics intertwined within the construction of Ecology as an academic scientific field. We take a look at the role of colonialism, patriarchy, capitalism, Eurocentrism and heteronormativity in the production of ecological knowledge and how this knowledge is presented as universal and objective. In this series, host Dr. Aouefa Amoussouvi collectively discusses decolonial methodologies, practices and instances of sustainable and inclusive environmentalism in both the Global South and the Global North with various researchers, activists and artists.

Our guests challenge the Western mainstream narrative on ecology with intersectional feminist, queer perspectives and perspectives from BIPoC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color). You will hear about the colonial history of national and conservation parks, the interconnection between marine mammals and Black feminism, circular and global food systems, radio amateur tools for weather and earth imaging, Indigenous knowledge in the Patagonian wetlands and many more topics.

Our guests are (in alphabetic order): Samie Blasingame, Ariel Bustamante, Dr. Sasha Engelmann, Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs and Dr. Mordecai Ogada.

Our speakers and host also examine the responsibility of museums and universities to deconstruct the colonial heritage of their structures. For example, we discuss how restitution of colonial artefacts by museums can be seen as a part of the climate and environmental justice agenda.

This podcast is curated and hosted by Dr. Aouefa Amoussouvi. Thank you to Annelien Van Heymbeeck on sound production, Sias Wöbling and Lucile Bouvard for ideas and exchange, and Alondra Meier and Julia Richard for the assistance.

For wider accessibility of the podcast’s subject matter, transcripts of the episodes are available in English.

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Decolonial Ecologies Trailer

In our podcast series Decolonial Ecologies, hosted and curated by Dr. Aouefa Amoussouvi, we talk about the history of ecology and how it became a scientific academic field interconnected with systems of power and oppression.

Colonialism, patriarchy, capitalism, Eurocentrism and heteronormativity have been applied to produce ecological knowledge that claims to be universal and objective. Therefore, museums and universities have contributed to shape and justify an extractive way of inhabiting the Earth.

In each episode, you will hear a researcher, an activist or an artist who challenges the Western mainstream narrative on ecology with intersectional feminist and queer perspectives, perspectives from Black, Indigenous and People of Color. We will discuss decolonial practices in both the Global South and the Global North to more ethically respond to the current climate and social crises.

Besides individual and citizen actions, we will also take a look at the responsibility of museums and universities to deconstruct the colonial heritage of their own structures. For example, we will discuss how restitution of colonial artifacts by museums can be seen as a part of the climate and environmental justice agenda.

 

Episode 1 – The Colonial History of Natural Parks and Conservation Lies

with Dr. Mordecai Ogada

In the first episode of our series we learn about the colonial history of conservation parks and conservation structure in the Global South, especially Africa, and how those conservation structures are entangled with colonialism and colonial powers. Our guest Dr. Mordecai Ogada, wildlife ecologist from Kenya, conservation policy expert and co-author, together with John Mbaria, of the book The Big Conservation Lie tells us about the creation of conservation parks as white spaces and the lack of integration of Black and Indigenous people within the conservation discourse. We also explore how the Western wildlife and conservation narrative is depicted in mainstream media and the arts. Besides, we reflect on how to deal, as individuals, with traveling to conservation areas and finding ways to act responsible with regards to nature and the environment.

 

Episode 2. – The Global Food System, Climate and Environmental Injustices

with Samie Blasingame

Together with activist, researcher and creative Samie Blasingame we take a look at food systems and how today’s global food system is connected to and influenced by colonial history and the exploitation of people and ecosystems. We discuss the meanings behind food labels like “organic”, “local” or “fair trade” and the realities of people like farmers working in food chain production. We also take a look at food diversity, climate and environmental injustices. Finally, we discuss the responsibility of universities to include more voices from the Global South and marginalized people in the academic fields of ecology and environmental studies.

 

Episode 3.1 – Pseudo-Objective Scientific Language and Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals

with Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs

In this two-part episode our guest is Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs, queer Black feminist writer, scholar and activist with whom we dive into her most recent book Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals. Where lies the interconnection between marine mammals and Black feminism? What does the queerness of marine mammals look like? What can we as humans learn from marine mammals, their skills, qualities and ways of life? We also discuss how Eurocentrism, patriarchy, capitalism and heteronormativity might be present in the making of scientific knowledge which claims to be objective and universal. Besides, we explore the impact the Western scientific language might have on justifying an extractive relationship with the planet as well as with the human and non-human living beings we share it with. Lastly, Alexis talks with us about the practice and power of breathing consciously.

 

Episode 3.2 – Pseudo-Objective Scientific Language and Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals

with Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs

Our second episode with Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs takes a closer look at the fascinating and adaptable skills of marine mammals. We also come back to the practice of breathing and how it can help us to slow down in this fast-moving capitalist world. In addition, Alexis reads us a passage from her book Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals and we hear about what marine mammals can teach us about breathing mindfully and intentionally. Together, we also reflect on the harmful narratives created by scientific language, colonialist ideas within the scientific world and how capitalism impacts our ways of inhabiting the Earth. Lastly, we talk about the Afrodeutsch or Afro-German movement as well as Alexis’ current research and book project on the poet, scholar and activist Audre Lorde.

 

Episode 4 – Selk’nam and Uru-Chipaya Cosmologies and Singing to the Patagonian Peatlands

with Ariel Bustamante

In this episode our guest is Ariel Bustamante, self-taught sound artist from Chile. We talk about his collaborations with the Selk’nam people in the Andes and the Uru-Chipaya nation in Bolivia. We hear about the cosmologies and practices of these people, especially the practice of singing to peatlands. This relationship of mutual care between the Selk’nam people and the peatlands was presented in the trans-disciplinary project “Turba Tol Hol-Hol Tol” at the Venice Biennale in the Chilean Pavilion in 2022 by Ariel and his collaborators. Ariel also shares with us his experience of living alone in the Atacama desert, walking with “wind-persons” and what the spiritual powers of nature can teach us humans. Finally, we discuss the danger of generalizing Indigenous nations and knowledge systems as well as the relevance and the colonial history of anthropology and ethnography.

 

Epidsode 5 – Feminist and Creative Approaches to Atmosphere and Environmental Knowledge-Making

with Dr. Sasha Engelmann

As our podcast series is coming to an end, we meet with Dr. Sasha Engelmann, geographer, artist and lecturer in GeoHumanities at the Royal Holloway University of London. She talks with us about the military history of atmosphere and weather surveillance technologies. We also learn about alternative feminist and creative approaches to atmosphere and environmental knowledge-making. Together, we then take a closer look at her collaborative work on design justice tools for citizen-led air quality and pollution data in Villa Inflamable, or the “Flammable Town”, located next to the largest petrochemical facility in Argentina. Besides, we hear about Sasha’s and Sophie Dyer’s project „Open Weather“ exploring DIY satellite ground stations and the role of the (gendered) human body in weather and atmosphere imaging.

 

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