In Solidarity with the Earth - (T&t Clark Explorations in Theology, Gender and Ecology)

Book Synopsis

Based on case studies, the book creates a multidisciplinary conversation on the gendered vulnerabilities resulting from extractive industries and toxic pollution, and also charts the resilience and courage of women as they resist polluting industries, fight for clean water and seek to protect the land. While ecumenical in scope, the book takes its departure from the concept of integral ecology introduced in Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si'.

The first three sections of the book focus on the social and ecological challenges facing minoritized women and their communities that are related to mining, pollutants and biodiversity loss, and toxicity. The final section of the book focuses on the possibilities and obstacles to global solidarity. All chapters offer a cross disciplinary response to a particular local situation, tracing the ways ecological destruction, resulting from extraction and toxic contamination, affects the lives of women and their communities. The book pays careful attention to the political, economic, and legal structures facilitating these life-threatening challenges. Each section concludes with a response from a 'practitioner' in the field, representing an ecclesial organization or NGO focused on eco-justice advocacy in the global South, or minority communities in the global North.

Review Quotes

Given the devastating impact of extractive industries on ecosystems and on Indigenous communities, the paucity of engagements with mining from the perspective of ecotheology constitutes a serious caveat, not least where such mining is situated in countries of the global South. This volume offers a well-balanced and most welcome correction in this regard, especially given its recognition of vulnerabilities of gender. As the editors note, the volume focuses mainly on South and North America so that such a volume should now be supplemented with similar engagements, especially from an African perspective.
Ernst M. Conradie, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

Human solidarity can no longer concern our relationship with other humans only but must include our responsibility for all aspects of the planet. This book provides an extensive and convincing argument for such solidarity and depicts in nuance and detail what lack of such solidarity has implied. By analyzing accelerated forms of extractivism that are destroying ecological systems, land-based livelihoods, and cultures at an unprecedented scale, it also identifies the often-ignored gendered dimension that causes women's suffering in the face of planetary destruction. The present volume documents both destruction and constructive possibilities for active response. In a literally "down to earth" approach, it represents an important contribution to empirical knowledge and ethical and theological reflection on matters that should concern everyone.
Jan-Olav Henriksen, MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Norway

It is a rare book project that can summon the cooperative, multi-disciplinary scholarly analysis and advocacy needed to address today's economic practices and ecological crises. This book does just that. It explores parallel forms of extraction - of life and resources - from the earth and marginalized people. It includes diverse, global scholarly perspectives from the natural and social sciences, gender studies, indigenous perspectives and religion. Avoiding overgeneralizations and un-grounded theory, the focus here is decidedly particular and local in focus. Best yet, this book tests and interrogates research across several academic disciplines by engaging local, on-the-ground practitioners and non-profit workers in order to effect real change.
Marit Trelstad, Pacific Lutheran University, USA

About the Author

Hilda P. Koster is the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto Associate Professor of Ecological Theology and the Director of the Elliott Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology, Regis St Michael's Faculty of Theology at the University of Toronto, Canada.

Celia Deane-Drummond is Director of the Laudato Si' Research Institute and Senior Research Fellow in Theology, Campion Hall at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.