In this discussion with María Puig de la Bellacasa, an STS scholar and anthropologist known for her book 'Matters of Care,' listeners dive into the vital role of care in feminist philosophy and its implications for activism. She challenges the commodification of care and explores how speculative ethics may reshape our worldviews. María shares insights from her experiences with permaculturalists and soil scientists, and reflects on the necessity of interdisciplinary approaches in ecology, all while imagining a more caring and sustainable future.
María Puig de la Bellacasa emphasizes the significance of a politics of care in feminist philosophy and the risks of its neoliberal commodification.
The podcast highlights the historic 567-megawatt energy storage contract in California as a pivotal advancement in renewable energy infrastructure.
Rhode Island’s lawsuit against fossil fuel companies underscores the growing demand for corporate accountability in addressing climate change issues.
Deep dives
Houston Floods and the August 4th Celebrations
The episode highlights the recent floods in Houston coinciding with the July 4th celebrations, causing chaos and leading to the cancellation of local festivities. This flooding is a significant event that illustrates the increasing frequency of extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. The situation serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address climate-related issues and the impact they have on communities. Such events drive home the importance of robust infrastructure and preparedness within urban environments facing the effects of climate change.
Historic Energy Storage Contract
The podcast discusses the historic energy storage contract recently signed in California, marking a significant shift in energy policy and infrastructure. PG&E signed a 567-megawatt agreement, which is the largest of its kind, underscoring a growing commitment to renewable energy sources. This development is pivotal in expanding energy storage capabilities, crucial for managing fluctuations in renewable energy generation. Such agreements indicate a transition towards a more sustainable energy future and highlight the importance of technological advancements in energy storage.
Rhode Island's Groundbreaking Legal Action
Rhode Island has become the first state to sue fossil fuel companies for allegedly hiding information about climate change, drawing parallels to tactics used during the tobacco industry scandals. This legal action emphasizes the increasing recognition of corporate responsibility in the context of climate change. By holding oil companies accountable, Rhode Island hopes to foster greater transparency and urgency in addressing climate-related issues. The lawsuit represents a significant step toward ensuring public awareness and corporate accountability regarding environmental health.
Resignation of Scott Pruitt
The episode covers the resignation of Scott Pruitt, former EPA Director, amidst a series of ethical scandals and investigations. Under Pruitt's leadership, the EPA faced criticism for his controversial decisions and excessive spending, highlighting a troubling trend in government accountability. His resignation is seen as a potential turning point for environmental regulation, although concerns remain regarding his successor, who shares similar industry ties. The discussion reflects broader anxieties about the direction of environmental policies under the current administration.
Lava Lamps and Creative Environmentalism
A humorous segment of the episode introduces an idea for a project involving six-foot-tall lava lamps, serving as a playful metaphor for environmental awareness and creativity. The discussion reflects on how decor can merge with renewable energy ideas, such as utilizing solar power for operational efficiency. This lighthearted concept highlights the importance of innovative thinking in tackling serious environmental issues, suggesting that even whimsical ideas can push the boundaries of traditional environmentalism. It represents an attempt to raise consciousness about renewable energy through art and creativity.
Dominic and Cymene indulge a little post-Pruitt glee on this week’s podcast and speculate about the possibility of six foot tall low carbon lava lamps in the future. Then (16:46) we are thrilled to be joined by star STS scholar and emergent anthropologist María Puig de la Bellacasa to talk about her celebrated new book, Matters of Care: Speculative Ethics in More Than Human Worlds (U Minnesota Press, 2017). We start with the importance of care in feminist philosophy and how this work, alongside her own activist background, inspired this project. She asks us to consider how we can make knowledge that takes seriously a politics of care without giving ourselves over to the neoliberal commodification of care. And she asks how a commitment to speculative ethics can lead us to imagine and enact worlds different than the one we inhabit now. Later on, María tells us about what led her to quit philosophy and why appropriation might not actually be such a bad thing. Then we turn to her work with permaculturalists and soil scientists, what it was like to study with Starhawk, changing paradigms of soil ontology and ecology, what are alterbiopolitics, speculative ethics in a time of political crisis, and so much more.
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