20
1
chains of explanation via the social unit the farmer is part of (family, village, etc.),
through the local administration, central state administration, and the national and
global economy (see 7 Chaps. 2 and 5). Later contributions to political ecology have
pointed out that there are not always linear chains of explanations and that influences
may often better be charted within networks of various actors (Robbins 2004;
Rocheleau 2008).
Linkages between different levels stand in contrast to a focus only on local factors, and where influences from external actors and structures are ignored. On the
other hand, linking the levels provides a richer perspective than paying attention
only to external factors.
From Pandora to the Earth
In Avatar a situation is presented where the local communities meet a threat that
obviously comes from the outside. However, the film does not provide insight into
the conditions on the Earth that have resulted in the colonization of Pandora. Only
once Jake Sully briefly mentions that the natural environment on Earth has been
destroyed. In political ecology studies of real communities, that are threatened by
the activities of external actors such as mining companies, researchers would look
for causes in the political economy that led to new processes of resource appropriation. Furthermore, scholars would also examine local and national factors that
could have contributed to the situation.
1.8 Eighth Synthesis: Temporal Connections
Time constitutes an important aspect in political ecology. This implies both an interest in specific environmental questions as they are played out today, as well as historical analyses of how and why a particular situation has occurred. Two main types
of historical studies play an important role here. First, environmental data are often
collected, where researchers attempt to cover as long a time period as possible, to
understand the background to ongoing trends. The longer time series, the better.
Long time series make it possible to describe historical changes in landscapes and
natural resources. Secondly, in studies of conflicts, it is also important to have an
historical approach to understand how and why the conflicts have evolved.
From the Earth to Pandora
If Avatar had been a story from real life, and James Cameron were a political ecologist, the movie would have given us insights into some important developmental
characteristics about the Earth that would provide us with the historical background
to the colonization of Pandora.
Chapter 1 · Political Ecology on Pandora
1
chains of explanation via the social unit the farmer is part of (family, village, etc.),
through the local administration, central state administration, and the national and
global economy (see 7 Chaps. 2 and 5). Later contributions to political ecology have
pointed out that there are not always linear chains of explanations and that influences
may often better be charted within networks of various actors (Robbins 2004;
Rocheleau 2008).
Linkages between different levels stand in contrast to a focus only on local factors, and where influences from external actors and structures are ignored. On the
other hand, linking the levels provides a richer perspective than paying attention
only to external factors.
From Pandora to the Earth
In Avatar a situation is presented where the local communities meet a threat that
obviously comes from the outside. However, the film does not provide insight into
the conditions on the Earth that have resulted in the colonization of Pandora. Only
once Jake Sully briefly mentions that the natural environment on Earth has been
destroyed. In political ecology studies of real communities, that are threatened by
the activities of external actors such as mining companies, researchers would look
for causes in the political economy that led to new processes of resource appropriation. Furthermore, scholars would also examine local and national factors that
could have contributed to the situation.
1.8 Eighth Synthesis: Temporal Connections
Time constitutes an important aspect in political ecology. This implies both an interest in specific environmental questions as they are played out today, as well as historical analyses of how and why a particular situation has occurred. Two main types
of historical studies play an important role here. First, environmental data are often
collected, where researchers attempt to cover as long a time period as possible, to
understand the background to ongoing trends. The longer time series, the better.
Long time series make it possible to describe historical changes in landscapes and
natural resources. Secondly, in studies of conflicts, it is also important to have an
historical approach to understand how and why the conflicts have evolved.
From the Earth to Pandora
If Avatar had been a story from real life, and James Cameron were a political ecologist, the movie would have given us insights into some important developmental
characteristics about the Earth that would provide us with the historical background
to the colonization of Pandora.
Chapter 1 · Political Ecology on Pandora