- Research Consortium
Commodifying the ‘Wild’
Unveiling the Interplay between Globalized Economy and ‘Wild’ Nature
Commodifying the Wild
As climate change, the loss of biodiversity, the irreversible destruction of nature, and the associated feared and imminent planetary dangers have increased the interest in ‘natural’ products sharply, the ‘green’ consumption in the Global North has paradoxically intensified the pressure on wild flora and fauna, significantly affecting the environments and local livelihoods of many people in various manners.
At the same time, production processes and supply chains are becoming increasingly complex and opaque as the industry oscillates between standardization through mass production and singularization through rare ‘exotic’ resources. Therefore, the two projects of the consortium aim to investigate the commodification of the ‘wild’ in depth, using the example of ornamental fish on the one hand and wild plants on the other.
The Political Ecology of Wild Resources
Through its multi-sited and multidisciplinary approach, the consortium contributes to a better understanding of the trans-regional ecological, social, and political dimensions of the commodification of natural “wild” resources and thus helps to improve our comprehension of human-wilderness relations in general. It combines perspectives from political ecology, anthropology, geography, and environmental science to gain a comprehensive insight into the complexity of commodification and human processes in the realm and ontology of ‘wilderness’.
Furthermore, it provides insights into the difficulties of neoliberal conservation strategies in the Anthropocene. With an approach that includes phenomenological and sensory aspects of perceiving more-than-human worlds, the consortium takes new paths towards an updated Political Ecology.
- Our Focus
Exploring the Impact of Globalized Economy on Perceived Wilderness
Our consortium explores the interplay between a globalized economy and perceived untouched “wild” nature. Through our projects, we aim to deepen understanding of the ecological, social, and political dimensions of commodification, shedding light on human-wilderness relations and the challenges of neoliberal conservation in the Anthropocene.
Exploration of Economy-Wilderness Nexus
We explore how a globalized economy affects "wild" nature, studying the impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on ecosystems and local livelihoods.
Interdisciplinary Approach
We do multi-disciplinary research in political ecology, anthropology, geography, and environmental science to explore the trans-regional dimensions of natural resource commodification.
Rethinking Political Ecology
Our goal is to understand human-wilderness interactions and conservation challenges in the Anthropocene era. We aim to highlight the interplay between economic activities and natural ecosystems.
Translocal Relations
Facing socio-ecological issues in a globalized economy requires a multi-sited approach that delves into and leverages connections and interactions evolving within global trade networks, which transcend local boundaries and thrive in a geographically dispersed system.
- Commodifying the Wild
Our Projects
Our consortium is currently conducting two research projects aimed at investigating the commodification of the ‘wild’, specifically concentrating on the commercialization of ornamental fish and wild plants.
- Contact
Get in Touch
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