Episode 4.6: Becoming an Ecopolitical Researcher

 In this second half of our two-part series on The Growth-Environment Debate, Ryan and Peter explore two of the more provocative discourses in the debate over sustainability and economic growth. What if growth is the problem? And what if it's already too late? First, they examine the “Overthrow Growth” discourse through the work of Indigenous activist and economist Winona LaDuke, the principles of degrowth, and the rise of eco-Marxist critiques of capitalism. Then, they delve into a final, sobering discourse: “The Damage of Growth is Done,” featuring voices like Jem Bendell, who argues that societal collapse is already underway, and that the focus should now be on adaptation and resilience. This episode continues to unpack the diverse, and at times conflicting, visions for ecological sustainability and economic futures in the Anthropocene. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, we recommend starting there.

In this episode, host Peter Andrée sits down with two doctoral students and a postdoc on the path to becoming ecopolitical researchers: Devon Cantwell-Chavez, Kaleigh McIntosh, and Obed Asamoah. They talk about their unique projects, how they came to pursue this work, and unexpected lessons learned in graduate school. This episode explores the importance of relationships, humility, and a commitment to social and environmental justice for anyone seeking to become an ecopolitical researcher.

In the first of a two-part series, co-hosts Ryan Katz-Rosene and Peter Andrée dive deep into the complex and often controversial relationship between economic growth and environmental sustainability - the subject of Ryan’s recently published book! Kicking off with the story of Dennis and Dana Meadows and their landmark 1972 report, The Limits to Growth, the episode sets the stage for the "Growth-Environmental Debate" by exploring three major discourses: Growth is Green, Growth Can Be Green, and Growth Misses the Point. Through compelling storytelling and archival audio clips, Ryan shares with us the histories and intellectual trajectories of key figures such as Julian Simon, Mostafa Tolba, and Kate Raworth. From debates over population and scarcity to global environmental diplomacy and reimagining economics through the lens of doughnuts, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider how growth is understood, valued, and contested in environmental politics.

Join Dr. Peter Andrée as he explores the critical role of philanthropic organizations in advancing sustainability with two leading experts: Beth Hunter, Director at FoodBridge, and Lorne Johnson, Vice President at the IVEY Foundation. In this insightful conversation, Beth and Lorne share their expertise and experience, offering valuable insights for students, researchers, and anyone interested in the intersection of philanthropy and environmental responsibility. Discover how successful philanthropic efforts can be aligned with ecological goals, such as promoting sustainable agriculture in Canada. Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities facing philanthropic organizations as they strive to create a more sustainable future for all.

In this episode of the Ecopolitics Podcast, our host, Dr. Ryan Katz-Rosene, is joined by Dr. Kathryn Harrison and Dr. Andrew Leach to delve into the intricacies of the federal carbon tax in Canada. We explore the mechanics of the carbon tax—how it sets a price on emissions and the variations in its application across provinces, and how the tax impacts consumers and add the context by examining the current political climate surrounding the carbon tax and its role in the larger debates on environmental policy in Canada. Listening to this episode will help us unpack the complexities of this politically contentious policy tool and its implications for Canadian politics and climate change initiatives.

We’re back and excited to share where the Ecopolitics Podcast is going with Season 4. Hosts Peter Andree and Ryan Katz-Rosene reflect on where we’ve gone over the last three seasons. Together, they explore how many of the themes and topics of the podcast remain relevant and continuously changing, from the Carbon Tax and Sustainable Food Systems to Indigenous Environmental Politics. Tune in to hear Ryan and Peter introduce Season 4: Politics of the Anthropocene! We are excited to share a series of episodes that put today’s politics into the longer-term context of how our societies engage with the more-than-human world with expert insights, thought-provoking discussions, and practical solutions.

In this episode, we delve into the world of climate intervention and geoengineering, specifically focusing on solar geoengineering, also known as solar radiation modification (SRM). Host Ryan Katz-Rosene as he explores the complexities of this technology with two leading experts. First, we hear from Dr. Pete Irvine, as he breaks down the science behind SRM, particularly stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), and discusses the potential benefits and risks, and addresses the current state of research and the ongoing debate surrounding field experiments. Then, we shift gears to hear from Dr. Aarti Gupta, who provides a crucial counterpoint, highlighting the voices of many in the academic community and beyond who are deeply concerned about the potential deployment of solar geoengineering. She emphasizes the growing opposition from the Global South, the disproportionate impact concerning vulnerable nations and Indigenous communities, and the governance challenges that this technology presents.

Does the environmentalist motto, ‘Think Globally, Act Locally’, point us towards sustainable food systems’ solutions? In this episode, Dr. Navin Ramankutty from UBC and Ken Meter from the Crossroads Resource Center in Minneapolis explore whether locally produced foods, provided by small-scale farmers, are inherently more sustainable than that which comes from larger producers many miles away. The discussion suggests that scale and proximity are not necessarily correlated with better environmental performance across the board, but that there are still good reasons for building strong food systems at the community level, and ensuring that small scale farmers can earn a sustainable livelihood.

Mining is an essential component to our everyday lives, providing us with the raw materials we need to create a wide variety of products. However, while mining contributes to our technological progress, it comes with an often hidden dark side rife with environmental and human rights abuses. When more than 60% of the world's mining companies are based in Canada, what does this mean for us as everyday ecocitizens? What responsibilities do we have with respect to holding these companies to account for their use and abuse of people and planet? These are some of the questions we drill into today with guests Chandu Claver, International Spokesperson for the Cordillera Peoples' Alliance, Teresa Kramarz, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, and Sheri Meyerhoffer, Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE).

Climate change and its impacts on the economy, the planet, and, of course, us, is top of mind for a lot of folks these days. One potential solution that merges economic and climate needs is the transition away from fossil fuels as an energy source, to greener options. But with so many people relying on the fossil fuel industry for their livelihoods, how do we ensure a transition to a whole new energy source is just? This is one of the many questions we touch on in today's episode. Our guests, Luisa Da Silva, Executive Director of Iron and Earth, and Heather Milton-Lightening, a long-time Indigenous climate activist and current student, share with us their different views on just transition, and what we need to consider if we're really going to make it work.