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Pollution Is Colonialism
Read in 14 min.
Listen in 18 min.
Learn the key ideas of the book by Max Liboiron

Pollution Is Colonialism

Uncovering the relationship between pollution and colonialism

In Pollution Is Colonialism, Max Liboiron explains how pollution is not a by-product of capitalism, but a dangerous side-effect of colonial territorial relations, which claim the right to access and exploit indigenous lands. Drawing on the research conducted by the Civic Laboratory for Environmental Action Research (CLEAR) – an anti-colonial science laboratory in Newfoundland, Canada – Liboiron demonstrates that anti-colonial science is not only possible, but is already being practised, in order to to study and protect our planet in more ethical ways.

Pollution Is Colonialism
Read in 14 min.
Listen in 18 min.
IDEA CHIAVE 1/8

Colonialism is driven by the access, possession, and exploitation of indigenous territories to the benefit of the colonisers

Throughout history, both in Canada, and many other parts of the world, settlers have taken possession of lands already inhabited by indigenous populations, exterminating many of these peoples, and destroying their values and self-determination, as well as disrupting the deep ties that had been forged in these areas over the centuries between human beings and the environment.

Max Liboiron suggests that colonialism is based on the access, possession, and exploitation of indigenous territories, to the exclusive advantage of the colonisers. This abuse of power, however, does not simply turn indigenous territories into new property for foreigners. There are also other, more subtle forms of colonialism, such as cultural appropriation, and using lands to obtain data for scientific research, as a resource, or as a place to dispose of waste. Sometimes, it also leads to unauthorised or disputed beach-cleaning operations in indigenous territories, which only serve the interests of the colonisers, despite the fact that these actions are usually driven by good intentions.

Pollution can also result in a territory being expropriated by colonisers, either deliberately or by accident. For instance, the severe pollution of the aquifers on the Bolivian plateau due to mining exploitation by foreign powers forced the natives to abandon their ancestral lands and their livelihoods, leaving the colonisers free to seize the territories and their riches. Contrary to popular belief, colonialism is not simply a system rooted in historically negative actions, but a set of forced relationships that are still in place today and that are constantly evolving. These ties are often maintained unwittingly and with the best intentions.

  

The key ideas of "Pollution Is Colonialism"

01.
Colonialism is driven by the access, possession, and exploitation of indigenous territories to the benefit of the colonisers
02.
Pollution is not only a practice of colonial domination, but is also sometimes part of its expansion
03.
Leading scientific research also tends to hold a colonialist view of nature
04.
In order to overcome the colonialist approach, we must not confuse colonialism and capitalism, or think that environmentalism is the solution
05.
Plastic can be used as a case study to change the colonialist view of pollution
06.
The CLEAR laboratory is an example of anti-colonial scientific research
07.
Quotes
08.
Take-home message
 
 
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