Environment as 'nature', environment as 'place of dwelling'.

Laura Centemeri (1)

1 LAMES - Laboratoire méditerranéen de sociologie

Starting from case studies of mobilisations concerning the public denunciation of environmental damage and the opposition to infrastructural projects having major impacts on the environment, we discuss the complexity of processes of collective valuation of the environment as related to plural modes of practically engaging with human and non human beings. In particular, we highlight critical tensions that can emerge in the construction of environmental public causes between two forms of valuing the environment: as "natural environment" providing us with goods publicly recognized as such, and as a specific "place of dwelling" to which people are personally attached and that they come to know through proximity. In their effort to raise awareness on environmental problems, local environmental activists are confronted with the task to reconcile public engagement and personal attachments. In fact, personal attachments to an environment can be crucial resources for public mobilization. However this is not always the case. A work of mediation is needed in order to reconcile different ways in which a same environment can matter to people.

Domaines: Sociologie

Laura Centemeri. Environment as 'nature', environment as 'place of dwelling'.. 2012. ⟨hal-01054886⟩