Political ecology of pandemics in Latin America: intersectionality between their causes, the socio-biodiversity, and the current agri-food system

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1676-6288.prolam.2024.225341

Keywords:

Agri-food system, Intersectionality, Pandemics, Political ecology, Traditional knowledge

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to find intersectionality points between the theme of biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge, including the current agri-food system and the generation of pandemics and epidemics. To do this, we first present a theoretical framework that encompasses: a) the environmental precautionary principle, which differs from the environmental prevention principle; and b) the concept of organized irresponsibility found within the theory of the Global Risk Society from Ulrich Beck. An additional specialized literature review included the interface between the destruction of terrestrial ecosystems and the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, we address how the current agri-food system threatens socio-biodiversity, and more especially, the traditional knowledge that is linked to biodiversity, and how both are related to the pandemic. Thirdly, we seek to identify the main aspects—from a political ecology perspective—related to and relevant to the problem discussed. Finally, the intersectionality of the three elements is explicitly unveiled.

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Author Biographies

  • Marina von Harbach Ferenczy, Universidade de São Paulo / Università Degli Studi di Ferrara

    Doctor in Sciences by the University of São Paulo (PROLAM - USP), with a PDSE-Capes sandwich doctorate (scholarship for international doctoral internship) at the Centre for Social Studies (CES) of the University of Coimbra, Portugal; she also holds a Ph.D. in Environmental sustainability and wellbeing from the Università Degli Studi di Ferrara (UniFe, Italy) [con lode]; Master in Economic and Socio-environmental Law by the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR); Bachelor in Law by the same institution. Registered at Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB-PR). Researcher USP + UniFe (Italy).  Emails: marinavonharbach@usp.br; marina.vonharbachferenczy@unife.it

  • Alfredo Alietti, Università Degli Studi di Ferrara

     Associate Professor at Università Degli Studi di Ferrara (UniFe, Italy), SPS/10 (sociology of the environment and territory). PhD in Sociology from the Università Degli Studi di Milano. alfredo.alietti@unife.it 

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Published

2024-11-25

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Section

Original Article

How to Cite

Ferenczy, M. von H. ., & Alietti, A. . (2024). Political ecology of pandemics in Latin America: intersectionality between their causes, the socio-biodiversity, and the current agri-food system. Brazilian Journal of Latin American Studies, 23(49), 92-124. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1676-6288.prolam.2024.225341