- Anthropological-0.mp3
- Anthropological-0.mp4
- Anthropological-I.mp3
- Anthropological-I.mp4
- Anthropological-II.mp3
- Anthropological-II.mp4
- Anthropological-III.mp3
- Anthropological-III.mp4
- Anthropological-Interlude.mp3
- Anthropological-blues-intro.mp3
[Intro]
Anthropological activities
(Are getting the best of me)
Hoping everyone sees
(How things are going to be)
[Verse 1]
Practicing destructive practices
Excavation (exploitation)
Compounding mounting damages
Expeditions (deforestation)
[Chorus]
Anthropological activities
(Are getting the best of me)
Hoping everyone sees
(How things are going to be)
[Bridge]
Can anybody see
(Self-sufficiency)
There’s none around
(None to be found)
Just look what’s going down
(Down, down, down)
[Verse 2]
Mining and mining
(Mine-ing and Mine-ing)
Mass consumption
Excavation (exploitation)
[Chorus]
Anthropological activities
(Are getting the best of me)
Hoping everyone sees
(How things are going to be)
[Bridge]
Can anybody see
(Self-sufficiency)
There’s none around
(None to be found)
Just look what’s going down
(Down, down, down)
[Outro]
There’s none around
(None to be found)
Just look what’s going down
(Down, down, down)
A SCIENCE NOTE
Anthropological activities, both historical and modern, can contribute to human-induced climate change in several ways, particularly through research practices, industrial activities, and cultural developments that exacerbate environmental degradation. Here are some key examples:
1. Resource Extraction and Exploitation:
Historically, anthropologists have been involved in documenting, mapping, or studying regions rich in natural resources. While many anthropologists today focus on sustainability, the past involvement of anthropologists in the documentation of valuable natural resources without adequate consideration of environmental consequences contributed to exploitation. This exploitation, often by colonial powers, led to deforestation, mining, and other practices that have significantly contributed to the release of greenhouse gases and environmental degradation. For instance, during colonial times, resource extraction from indigenous lands (such as mining for minerals, logging, or agriculture) accelerated deforestation, which remains a significant contributor to climate change.
2. Promotion of Unsustainable Development and Tourism:
In some cases, anthropologists have been involved in promoting indigenous cultures and regions, inadvertently driving unsustainable tourism. Increased tourist visits to ecologically sensitive areas can lead to environmental degradation, including habitat destruction, waste pollution, and greater carbon emissions due to transportation. The “tourism boom” in places with indigenous cultures or rare ecosystems (such as the Amazon or other biodiversity hotspots) can disrupt these fragile environments, accelerating the effects of climate change. Researchers who focus on the exposure of such places, without addressing the environmental and social consequences of tourism, contribute indirectly to the climate crisis.
3. Support for Industrial and Developmental Projects:
Anthropologists have, at times, supported large-scale infrastructure projects (such as dams, roads, and urban development) under the justification of progress or modernization, with little regard for the environmental consequences. These projects often result in deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions. For example, dam projects frequently flood vast areas of land, releasing large amounts of methane—a potent greenhouse gas. Similarly, road construction into previously untouched ecosystems leads to increased logging, mining, and agricultural activities that degrade the environment.
4. Colonial Legacy of Land Displacement:
The colonial history of anthropology includes supporting governments or corporations in displacing indigenous populations to make way for resource extraction, agriculture, and industrial development. These activities have historically led to the destruction of carbon sinks such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands, all of which play crucial roles in regulating the global climate. While many anthropologists now work with indigenous groups to protect their land rights and environmental practices, the legacy of colonialism has had long-lasting impacts on the environment.
5. Failure to Integrate Indigenous Knowledge into Conservation:
Although anthropologists have studied indigenous knowledge systems related to environmental stewardship, the broader application of this knowledge has often been ignored in favor of Western, industrialized models of conservation. Indigenous groups have long understood the importance of biodiversity and ecological balance, using sustainable farming practices, controlled burning, and other techniques that work in harmony with the environment. However, these practices have often been disregarded by governments, industries, and researchers in favor of practices that prioritize short-term economic growth over long-term sustainability. As a result, ecosystems have been disturbed and climate change exacerbated.
While these historical and some contemporary practices have contributed to the climate crisis, many anthropologists are now working to rectify these issues. Increasingly, the field of anthropology is involved in advocating for climate justice, collaborating with indigenous communities to protect biodiversity, and promoting sustainable practices that can help mitigate climate change.