Chapter 14 : Environmental Anthropology & Anthropocene

Anthropocene

A proposed geological epoch marked by significant human impact on Earth's ecosystems, climate, and geology.

Anthropogenic

Processes or effects caused by human activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and urbanization.

Cultural Ecology

The study of how human societies adapt to their environments through cultural practices and technologies.

Cultural Evolutionism

An early anthropological theory suggesting that cultures progress through stages of development, often criticized for its ethnocentric bias.

Ecocide

The large-scale destruction of ecosystems, often due to industrial, agricultural, or military activities.

Eco-Justice

A movement addressing environmental and social justice, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities affected by environmental degradation.

Ethnocide

The systematic destruction of a group's culture, often through forced assimilation or erasure of cultural practices.

Ethnoecology

The study of how different cultures perceive, use, and manage their environments and natural resources.

Extractive Reserves

Protected areas where local communities sustainably harvest natural resources, such as Brazil’s rubber tapper reserves.

Exurban

Areas beyond suburban regions, often characterized by rural land use combined with suburban development.

Historical Particularism

A theory by Franz Boas emphasizing the unique historical and environmental contexts shaping each culture.

Homeostasis

The tendency of a system (such as an ecosystem or community) to maintain equilibrium despite external changes.

Materialism

An anthropological perspective focusing on material conditions, such as environment and technology, as primary drivers of cultural development.

Conservation

Efforts to protect and sustainably manage natural resources and ecosystems.

Political Ecology

The study of how political, economic, and social factors influence environmental issues and resource management.

Processual Archaeology

An approach to archaeology emphasizing scientific methods and systems theory to study cultural change over time.

Protected Areas

Regions designated for conservation, such as national parks, where human activity is often restricted to protect biodiversity.

Succession

The natural process by which ecosystems recover and develop after a disturbance, such as a wildfire or deforestation.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, balancing economic, environmental, and social goals.

Swidden Cultivation

A traditional agricultural practice involving the clearing of forest land for farming, followed by fallow periods to allow regeneration.

Wilderness

Areas considered pristine and untouched by human activity, often idealized but critiqued for overlooking indigenous histories of land use.

Park vs. People Debate

The tension between conservation policies that prioritize protecting wilderness (often excluding local communities) and approaches that integrate human livelihoods with conservation goals.

Activism

Actions taken to promote social, political, or environmental change, often involving grassroots movements and advocacy.

Advocacy

Supporting or representing marginalized groups or causes, often to influence policy or public opinion.

Stuart Kirsch

An anthropologist known for his work on environmental justice and indigenous rights, particularly in the context of resource extraction.

Power

The ability to influence or control people, resources, or environments, central to discussions of inequality and environmental decision-making.

Second Nature

A term referring to environments transformed or shaped by human activity, blending natural and cultural elements.