The Routledge Handbook of Critical Resource Geography

This Handbook provides a comprehensive guide to the study of resources and their role in socio-environmental change, offering conceptual and methodological approaches for documenting, analyzing, and reimagining resources and the worlds with which they are entangled. It includes an introduction and four thematic sections, exploring epistemological entry points, resource systems, critical resource geography, resource-making/world-making, and case studies. It is an essential reference point for researchers, students, and practitioners interested in understanding how resources matter to the world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 466 pages
Publication date: 13 July 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive Handbook serves as an essential guide to the study of resources and their pivotal role in shaping socio-environmental change. Drawing upon the expertise of over 60 esteemed authors from diverse global regions and expertise in various resource types, it presents a rich toolkit of conceptual and methodological approaches for documenting, analyzing, and reimagining resources and the interconnected worlds they inhabit.

The Handbook is organized into four thematic sections, each offering a distinct perspective on the study of resources. The introductory chapter sets the stage by outlining key trajectories for critically engaging with and about resources.

Section I, titled (Un)knowing resources, presents epistemological entry points and approaches for delving into the complexities of resource studies. Chapters within this section explore diverse ways of knowing resources, challenging conventional understandings and highlighting the importance of multiple perspectives and methodologies.

Section II, (Un)knowing resource systems, delves into the intricate components and logics of capitalist systems that govern the production, circulation, consumption, and disposal of resources. Chapters in this section examine the power dynamics, inequalities, and environmental implications associated with resource extraction, utilization, and waste management.

Section III, titled Doing critical resource geography: Methods, Advocacy, and Teaching, focuses on the practices and methodologies of critical resource scholarship. Chapters in this section explore the challenges and opportunities of conducting engaged forms of research and pedagogy, emphasizing the role of critical resource geography in shaping social and environmental change.

Section IV, titled Resource-making/world-making, employs case studies to illustrate the processes of resource-making and their profound impact on socio-environmental life. These case studies showcase how things are transformed into resources, the social and ecological consequences of these processes, and the potential for alternative resource-making practices.

This vibrant and diverse critical resource scholarship offers an indispensable reference point for researchers, students, and practitioners seeking to understand the intricate relationships between resources, society, and the environment. By exploring the conceptual and methodological frameworks presented in this Handbook, readers gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges of resource management, conservation, and sustainable development.

The Handbook serves as a catalyst for interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, fostering a collective effort to address the pressing resource-related issues of our time. It encourages readers to critically examine the dominant narratives and power structures that shape resource extraction, utilization, and management, and to explore alternative approaches that prioritize sustainability, equity, and ecological integrity.

In conclusion, this Handbook is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the role of resources in shaping socio-environmental change. Its comprehensive coverage, diverse perspectives, and practical methodologies provide a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of resource politics, management, and sustainability. By engaging with the content of this Handbook, readers can contribute to the ongoing dialogue and efforts towards a more just and sustainable world.

Weight: 1070g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138358805