This week, Economics for Rebels host Sophus zu Ermgassen discusses our relationship with water as kin with Prof Julian Martin-Ortega and Dr Josh Cohen.
“At one point you describe ancient relationships with water as a living, gentle world where water is less something to be possessed and subject to human will and more someone with whom it is necessary to maintain a reciprocal relationship in order to thrive as biosocial persons.”
A lot of ecological economists believe that one of the fundamental drivers of nature destruction is the historical creation of the human-nature dichotomy, and we often draw inspiration from cultures who don’t view people as distinct from nature. But what lessons can we draw in countries in the global North where that human-nature dichotomy is taken to its extreme, where the overwhelming policy pressure is towards the commodification of nature?
We’ll dive into some of these discussions today with Prof Julia Martin-Ortega and Dr Josh Cohen, focusing on humanity’s relationship with rivers. Hosted by Sophus zu Ermgassen. Edited by Aidan Knox.