The Anthropocene and Global Extractive Industries: Perspectives from Latin America
This mini symposium will explore the concept of the Anthropocene through the historical development and environmental impacts of varied extractive zones in Latin America. With a substantial and permanent participation in the global expansion of capitalism and the modern industrial world, Latin America constitutes a distinctive setting to examine the political, social, and ecological implications of resource extraction, commodification of nature, socioeconomic development, and human costs. This symposium approaches these questions from diverse disciplines in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Focusing on Brazil and Argentina, four scholars will share cutting-edge perspectives to evaluate the environmental and socioeconomic challenges of these nations and their regional and global impact. Commodities such as rubber and ethanol and matters such as energy development and agricultural production will be addressed in the panels.
This event is organized by the Latin American Environmental Humanities Lab and is co-sponsored by the Ivan Allen College and the School of Modern Languages.
If you cannot attend the event in person, use the following Zoom link (no registration required): https://gatech.zoom.us/s/96746254738.
Event Schedule
9 – 9:30 a.m. Welcome Breakfast
9:30 – 9:35 a.m. Welcome and Presentation of the Latin American Environmental Humanities Lab
9:35 – 10:40 a.m. Panel 1: Extractivism and National Development in Brazil
Moderator: Miguel Rosas Buendia, School of Modern Languages (Georgia Institute of Technology)
- “Traversing the Rubber Boom: Exploring Amazonia's Environmental and Cultural Legacy,” Jessica Carey-Webb, University of New Mexico
- “Sweet Fuel: Brazilian Ethanol in Historical Perspective,” Jennifer Eaglin, Ohio State University
10:40 – 11 a.m. Break and Coffee
11 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. Panel 2: Herbicides and Environmental Landscapes in Argentina
Moderator: German Vergara, School of History and Sociology (Georgia Institute of Technology)
- “Toxic Prosperity: The Ambivalences of Agricultural Production in Contemporary Argentina,” Pablo Lapegna, University of Georgia
- “The Agrochemical Gothic: Pesticides and Cultural Production in Argentina,” Nicolás Campisi, Georgetown University
12:05 – 12:15 p.m. Concluding Discussion and End of Symposium
