Changing the Narrative of Nature: Towards Sustainability

Atreyee Mukherjee

atreyee@iitism.ac.in
Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, India (India)
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4728-973X

Abstract

Nature, an ontologically dynamic entity, has been the object of different types of conceptualizations. In recent types, it has been metaphorically conceptualized as a resource. This conceptualization is problematic such that it reduces the dynamic interdependent nature to a mere store-house for materials. This leads to the conceptualization that humans can use nature up until stock lasts. On top of that, our hunting-gathering instincts have made us reckless consumers and hoarders of things we think are necessary. This non-sustainable behavior is detrimental to our nature which holds us, nurtures us, and provides for us. To change the narrative of nature in the world of sustainability, sustainable development and sustainable practices, we must change our conceptualization of nature. In the present work, we present the problematic conceptualization of nature as a resource. We also discuss certain conceptualizations and their impact in the discussions on sustainability. And finally, we provide a linguistic alternative to the metaphoric conceptualization of nature that has the potential to alter the non-sustainable practices and take society towards sustainability.


Keywords:

nature, narrative of nature, conceptualization of nature, sustainable development

BISWAS N. G., PRAKASH G., 2022, Samkhya Philosophy, Deep Ecology and Sustainable Development, Problemy Ekorozwoju/ Problems of Sustainable Development 17(1): 288-292.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35784/pe.2022.1.26   Google Scholar

GAILLET M., SULMONT-ROSSÉ C., ISSANCHOU S., CHABANET C., CHAMBARON S., 2013, Priming effects of an olfactory food cue on subsequent food-related behaviour, Food Quality and Preference 30(2): 274-281.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2013.06.008   Google Scholar

KARLSSON R., 2016, Three metaphors for sustainability in the Anthropocene, The Anthropocene Review, 3(1): 23-32.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2053019615599415   Google Scholar

LAKOFF G., JOHNSON M., 1980, Metaphors we live by, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
  Google Scholar

LEVINSON S.C., 1997, Language and cognition: The cognitive consequences of spatial description in Guugu Yimithirr, Journal of Linguistic Anthropology 7(1): 98-131.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/jlin.1997.7.1.98   Google Scholar

LEVINSON S.C., 2003, Space in language and cognition: Explorations in cognitive diversity, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511613609   Google Scholar

MEADE G., LEE B., MASSA N., HOLCOMB P.J., MIDGLEY K.J., EMMOREY K., 2022, Are form priming effects phonological or perceptual? Electrophysiological evidence from American Sign Language, Cognition, 220: 104979.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2021.104979   Google Scholar

MITRA S., AHMED S., 2022, Storytelling for Behavior Change: Use of Folktales for Promoting Sustainable Behaviors, Problemy Ekorozwoju/ Problems of Sustainable Development 17(2): 243-247.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35784/pe.2022.2.26   Google Scholar

PRINCEN T., 2010, Speaking of sustainability: the potential of metaphor, Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 6(2): 60-65.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2010.11908050   Google Scholar

SAPIR E., 1929, The status of linguistics as a science, Language 5: 207-214.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/409588   Google Scholar

WOLFF P., HOLMES K.J., 2011, Linguistic relativity, Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science 2(3): 253-265.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.104   Google Scholar

Download


Published
2023-09-11

Cited by

Mukherjee , A. (2023). Changing the Narrative of Nature: Towards Sustainability . Problemy Ekorozwoju, 18(2), 268–272. https://doi.org/10.35784/preko.5283

Authors

Atreyee Mukherjee  
atreyee@iitism.ac.in
Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, India India
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4728-973X

Statistics

Abstract views: 285
PDF downloads: 214