Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2020
Abstract
‘Nature’ is not just a word that accompanies humans in their quotidian lives, but also a fluid and contested concept that entails various implications for gender and class politics. In times of drastic social changes where the momentum for dealing with climate change and environmental as well as social inequalities increases, analysing the roots and consequences of concepts such as nature, as well as eco-nostalgic tendencies, is especially important. By taking Carolyn Merchant’s idea of the death of nature as a starting point, and reflecting upon further readings such as Octavia Butler’s novel Dawn, this essay discusses the different implications of ‘getting back to nature’ for gender politics and sustainability discourses. It argues that this idea presupposes an inherently flawed juxtaposition of nature and culture. This dichotomy results in the creation of multiple inequalities and conflicting ideologies, such as through the common conceptualisation of certain parts of nature as an ideal representation for human sexuality. The thought of getting back to nature also raises questions of human positionality as a species in this discourse. It offers two opportunities: to either continue living according to a problematic status quo, or entirely change the way humans perceive their position in the world. While the romantic image of wilderness leaves no space for humans to make a sustainable living on the planet and only the former or collective suicide appear to be possible solutions, postapocalyptic approaches show a desire to (re)discover the place of humanity in the ecosystem. Consequently, this essay concludes that instead of supporting the maintaining of existing gender norms, one should attempt to reframe narratives surrounding a glorified view of nature, certain perspectives of humans, and the hope to reach an organic ideal, to develop new and more inclusive ideas of gender and natural resources in the present, for example through fostering energy intimacy.