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The term "petro-masculinity" was coined by Cara Daggett, a political scientist, in a 2018 article titled "Petro-masculinity: Fossil Fuels and Authoritarian Desire" published in the academic journal, Environmental Humanities. In the article, Daggett argues that petro-masculinity is a cultural formation that connects fossil fuels with masculine identity and political authoritarianism, and she examines how it shapes contemporary debates over climate change policy. Since its introduction, the term has gained popularity in academic and activist circles as a way of describing the intersection of gender and the fossil fuel industry.
So, "Petro-masculinity" is a term used to describe the intersection of masculinity and the culture of the fossil fuel industry. It refers to the way in which the extraction, production, and consumption of fossil fuels are intertwined with traditional ideas of masculinity, power, and dominance.
Petro-masculinity is based on the belief that the fossil fuel industry is vital to maintaining traditional masculine values such as toughness, strength, and self-sufficiency. This belief is often reinforced by the industry itself, through advertising, lobbying, and other forms of messaging.
Critics argue that petro-masculinity is harmful in multiple ways.
Firstly, it can discourage the transition to clean energy sources by framing them as "weak" or "feminine".
Secondly, it can contribute to toxic masculinity and the marginalization of women and non-binary individuals within the energy industry.
Finally, it can obscure the true costs of fossil fuel extraction and production, including environmental damage, public health risks, and the displacement of indigenous communities.
Petro-masculinity has implications beyond environmental integrity and sustainability. The connection between fossil fuels and masculine identity can reinforce patriarchal power structures and contribute to social and economic inequality.
For example, the fossil fuel industry has historically been male-dominated, with men holding the majority of high-paying jobs in extraction, production, and transportation. This can contribute to gender inequality and marginalize women and non-binary individuals in the industry.
The concept of petro-masculinity is important for understanding the deeper cultural and social dimensions of the climate crisis and the politics of energy. By challenging and transforming the culture of petro-masculinity, we can work towards a more sustainable, just, and equitable future.
The culture of petro-masculinity can be linked to political authoritarianism and militarism, as the extraction and production of fossil fuels are often associated with national security and geopolitical power. This can have implications for international relations and global conflicts.
Addressing petro-masculinity requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond environmental sustainability. It involves recognizing the intersection of gender, race, class, and political power in energy systems and working towards more equitable and just transitions to renewable energy sources. This requires incorporating feminist, social justice, and intersectional perspectives in energy policy and decision-making.
Furthermore, the extraction and production of fossil fuels have significant environmental impacts, including air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions. These impacts disproportionately affect marginalized communities and contribute to environmental injustice.
Addressing petro-masculinity and promoting environmental sustainability require a shift in cultural norms and values, as well as changes in policy and industry practices. This requires recognizing the intersection of gender and the politics of energy, and working towards more equitable and just transitions to renewable energy sources. It also requires addressing the social and economic inequalities that are reinforced by petro-masculinity and the fossil fuel industry.
In conclusion, petro-masculinity is a term that describes the cultural and social connections between fossil fuels and masculine identity and power. This cultural formation reinforces traditional gender roles and contributes to toxic masculinity, as well as political authoritarianism and social and economic inequality.
Addressing petro-masculinity requires a multifaceted approach that involves recognizing the intersection of gender, race, class, and political power in energy systems and working towards more equitable and just transitions to renewable energy sources. This requires incorporating feminist, social justice, and intersectional perspectives in energy policy and decision-making.
The concept of petro-masculinity is important for understanding the deeper cultural and social dimensions of the climate crisis and the politics of energy. By challenging and transforming the culture of petro-masculinity, we can work towards a more sustainable, just, and equitable future.
Curator Munllonch
Pic Cara Dagget and Pixabay
#coachabilityfoundation #coachability #sdg5 #empoweringentrepeneurwomen #women #sdg13 #fossilfuels #Masculinity
#genderroles #power #toxicmasculinity #politicalauthoritarianism #socialinequality #culturalformation #nationalsecurity #geopoliticalpower #resistancetochange #skepticism #climatedenialism #Environmentalregulations #Environmentalimpacts #Environmentalinjustice #Renewableenergy #Sustainable energy #Justtransition #Intersectionality
Bibliography.
"Petro-Masculinity: Fossil Fuels and Masculine Identity" by Kyle Powys Whyte (2019)
"Beyond Petro-masculinity: An Energy Justice Perspective on Gender and Energy Transitions" by Lakshmi Charli-Joseph and Arnim Wiek (2019)
"Queer(y)ing Petro-Masculinity: Petro-Subjectivity and the Trans-Masculine Imaginary" by Tyler McCreary (2020)
"Petro-Politics and Ecofeminism: Revisiting the Concept of Petro-Masculinity in the Anthropocene" by Maria Gonzalez Arroyo (2020)
"Petro-Imaginaries and Carbon Democracy: Fossil Fuels, Climate Change, and Petro-Masculinity in Neil Gaiman's Short Stories" by Michael Cermak (2021)
Cara Daggett's 2018 article "Petro-masculinity: Fossil Fuels and Authoritarian Desire"
