Customer Reviews

Ecofeminism and Globalization: Exploring Culture, Context, and Religion

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Ecofeminism & GLobalization" by Heather Eaton and Lois Ann Lorentzen (editors) is a diverse collection of essays by ecofeminist scholars and activists on the movement's ongoing struggle with globalization. The multiple perspectives help readers understand the depth and sophistication of ecofeminist theory while learning how positive change can occur in the real world. The book should serve as an excellent resource and provide inspiration for students, activists and general interest readers.

The first section discusses globalization, gender and the environment. Mary Mellor explains that men and women typically experience differential relationships with the environment, where women tend to be most disadvantaged by environmental destruction. Heather Eaton stresses the strategic importance of challenging the capitalist system for the ecofeminist movement to remain relevant.

The second section presents case studies from around the world. In Kenya, Celia Nyamweru shows that the preservation of the sacred Kaya forests is largely men's (not women's) work, suggesting that gender roles are culturally and not biologically determined. Lois Ann Lorentzen perceives the struggle for nature and community in Chiapas, Mexico as an event that inherently concerns ecofeminists as an instance of grass-roots democratization and empowerment. Aruna Gnanadason's exceptional article about India traces the plunder of resources in her country to colonialism and systems of domination by gender, class and race; she goes on to argue that the "cultural traditions of prudent exploitation of natural resources" that had existed for centuries are necessary to restore a steady-state economy that puts people and environment before profits.

The third section addresses the myriad ecofeminist responses to globalization. Noel Sturgeon recalls the tendency in the 1970s to blame poor women for the environmental crisis and urges all women today to "act together against power". Wan-Li Ho discusses the significant legislative victories that Taiwanese nuns and monks have achieved on behalf of animal and human rights. Mary Judith Ress critiques the Christian theme of "divine child abuse" in the crucifixion narrative and shares the Con-Spirando Collective's goal of developing a more compassionate and inclusive spirituality in South America. Ivone Gebara compares the historic male control of morality and the Catholic Church with western society's often immoral oppression of nature and women. Masatsugu Maruyama discusses the role of gender in Japanese spiritualism and speculates on how female empowerment might reshape Japanese culture. Finally, Greta Gaard discusses ecofeminism's contribution to the Green Party and credits the Youth Green movement with having the courage to challenge the myth of biological determinism in order to transcend traditional gender roles.

In my view, the thought-provoking articles in "Ecofeminism & Globalization" point the way towards an ethic that might help transform our world for the better. It is highly recommended to all.