The Post-Anthropocene Diet
Presenter: Rachel Mazac
Commenter: Markus Vinnari, Chair: Pasi Heikkurinen
Abstract
Given global food systems challenges inherent in the current geological epoch known as the Anthropocene, this article examines how future diets could de-center human consumers enabling movement into the Post-Anthropocene. The article uses Indigenous ontologies as an example of humans and non-humans in relational—more sustainable—dietary practices, then employs the subsequent analog of object-oriented ontology/ecosophy as a theoretical foundation for shifting from the dominant productivist paradigm in ‘western’ food systems. Through the lens of temporality, a framework for guiding future diets—including possible post-growth and de-growth examples—in(to) the Post-Anthropocene is proposed. This is a novel attempt to integrate non-anthropocentric theories to suggest possible futures for human dietary practices in order to exit the Anthropocene epoch. Since many definitions and guidelines of sustainable diets are future-oriented, these de-anthropocentric models demonstrate how temporality can be a dimension of consideration in shifting to more sustainable diets to address public health, climate change, and socioeconomic challenges.
Keywords: sustainable diets; Anthropocene; Indigenous ontologies; temporality; sustainable futures
About the Culture and the Crisis Seminar Series
The contemporary culture can be linked to crisis in many ways. It is claimed to be in crisis; to generate myriad forms of crises; and also, to be a crisis in and of itself. This working seminar series delves into the phenomena of ‘culture’ and ‘crisis’, as well as investigates their interrelations and related manifestations. The aim is to deepen our understanding on the on-going crisis: (a) its description, including the causes, processes, and consequences, and (b) the relevant normative positions.
Each session will comprise of a 30-minute presentation + a 30-minute dialogue with a preselected commenter + a 30-minute discussion with all participants. The talks will be accompanied by full working papers, or extended abstracts at minimum, which will be distributed to all participants one week in advance.
The seminar series is organized by LIMBO in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Economics and Management; and Sustainable Change Research Network (SUCH). Seminars will take place on Viikki Campus, Biokeskus 1, room 3109 (‘Nahkakabinetti’) at 12-14 o’clock. For queries and registration, please contact pasi.heikkurinen@helsinki.fi.