Dec 07 2020 70 mins
In this episode, we poke a stick at economic metaphors that are commonly used to describe sustainability and the environment. In the West, under a dominant neoliberal-capitalist milieu, we take stock of how this influences the way we communicate about nature, and the material dangers of doing so. Economic metaphors are not benign, and the longer we ponder, the more power it seems is embedded in metaphor. Indeed, words like "natural capital" or "ecosystem services" have become common tongue. Through this conversation we explore the potential ramifications of continuing to use these types of metaphors, as we arrive at a crossroads: continuing to use the metaphors already accepted, or forging a new series of metaphors—around restoration or renovation—as a middle way out of the (metaphorical) forest. Join the Facebook group to comment, ask questions and provide feedback: bit.ly/3jgBSqZ