7
1
Nevertheless, some political ecologists work closely with natural scientists.
Others specialize on a thematic field and are able to read and critically assess the
scientific literature in that field as well as bringing these assessments into their own
analyses.
Natural sciences can contribute to the establishment of an understanding of,
for instance, the spatial and ecological aspects of environmental governance or
conflicts that are discussed. In a lot of political ecology research, such aspects may
have a relatively modest role and are limited to providing an overview of the knowledge that natural scientists have on the subject. At the same time, political ecology
involves a critical assessment of the premises for all scientific knowledge. In a number of political ecology projects, it is essential to possess a good deal of knowledge
of how various factors play out spatially and it may be necessary to involve methods such as remote sensing, as well as soil and vegetation analysis.
Some political ecology aims to combine natural science studies with knowledge
obtained through qualitative methods to identify what indigenous or local knowledge says about the same environmental processes. Such combination of knowledge has been called hybrid science (Batterbury et al. 1997; Forsyth 2003).
In Avatar, Jake Sully’s research group uses a combination of social and natural
sciences. On the one hand, they conduct an ethnographic study of the perspectives
and way of living of the Na’vi. On the other hand, they research Pandora’s diverse
flora and fauna. In these nature studies, the scientists take as a starting point the
Na’vi’s knowledge about nature. They even take participant observation to a new
level by entering into Na’vi bodies (avatars). In . Photo 1.1, there is a Na’vi gathering discussing whether or not the Na’vi should meet the mining company’s
destruction of the forest with violent resistance. The research leader Grace
Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) speaks out against such resistance, arguing that it
will only make their situation worse.
. Photo 1.1 Are the scientists in the Avatar movie political ecologists? (© 20TH CENTURY FOX)
1.1 · First Synthesis: Social and Natural Sciences
1
Nevertheless, some political ecologists work closely with natural scientists.
Others specialize on a thematic field and are able to read and critically assess the
scientific literature in that field as well as bringing these assessments into their own
analyses.
Natural sciences can contribute to the establishment of an understanding of,
for instance, the spatial and ecological aspects of environmental governance or
conflicts that are discussed. In a lot of political ecology research, such aspects may
have a relatively modest role and are limited to providing an overview of the knowledge that natural scientists have on the subject. At the same time, political ecology
involves a critical assessment of the premises for all scientific knowledge. In a number of political ecology projects, it is essential to possess a good deal of knowledge
of how various factors play out spatially and it may be necessary to involve methods such as remote sensing, as well as soil and vegetation analysis.
Some political ecology aims to combine natural science studies with knowledge
obtained through qualitative methods to identify what indigenous or local knowledge says about the same environmental processes. Such combination of knowledge has been called hybrid science (Batterbury et al. 1997; Forsyth 2003).
In Avatar, Jake Sully’s research group uses a combination of social and natural
sciences. On the one hand, they conduct an ethnographic study of the perspectives
and way of living of the Na’vi. On the other hand, they research Pandora’s diverse
flora and fauna. In these nature studies, the scientists take as a starting point the
Na’vi’s knowledge about nature. They even take participant observation to a new
level by entering into Na’vi bodies (avatars). In . Photo 1.1, there is a Na’vi gathering discussing whether or not the Na’vi should meet the mining company’s
destruction of the forest with violent resistance. The research leader Grace
Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) speaks out against such resistance, arguing that it
will only make their situation worse.
. Photo 1.1 Are the scientists in the Avatar movie political ecologists? (© 20TH CENTURY FOX)
1.1 · First Synthesis: Social and Natural Sciences