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[pt] Esta tese tem por objetivo investigar, sob um ponto de vista filosófico, possíveis caminhos para pensar o que significa resistir diante da chamada crise ecológica, isto é, o conjunto das graves alterações de origem antropogênica observadas nos processos biogeoquímicos da Terra, a ponto de ter suscitado a entrada do planeta numa nova época geológica, o Antropoceno. Esse acontecimento coloca em xeque a própria validade universal das categorias que sustentam a epistemologia dita ocidental – a qual, segundo Bruno Latour (1994), se caracteriza pela admissão de apenas dois modos de existência para os seres, isto é, como entes naturais ou culturais. De maneira que, para investigar as possibilidades de resistência, sugerimos ser necessário considerar os modos próprios de outras ontologias conceberem os entes que habitam o mundo, bem como suas maneiras particulares de descrever os processos e interferências que ameaçam destruí-lo. Tal consideração da pluralidade ontológica existente se faz necessária também porque, como este trabalho pretende esclarecer, a Terra pode ser compreendida como o solo comum que só existe a partir das versões divergentes dela mesma. A unidade que constitui esse solo comum, no entanto, não pode ser vislumbrada sem um cuidadoso trabalho de composição: foi uma tentativa malsucedida de fabricar um mundo comum que deflagrou a atual guerra de mundos (Latour, 2002) que a crise ecológica torna incontornável. Assim, seguindo ainda a terminologia de Latour, de um lado da disputa estão os Humanos, aqueles que, presumindo deter o conhecimento definitivo sobre a realidade objetiva do mundo e se arrogando o direito de explorar impiedosamente os seres naturais (além de outros humanos), conduziram-nos ao estado atual de desordem ecológica; do outro, há os Terranos, indivíduos e povos que reconhecem na Terra e em seus seres verdadeiros aliados na existência, e não meros recursos a explorar. Esta tese, portanto, traça um panorama, ainda que não exaustivo e em larga medida especulativo, dos múltiplos modos terranos de existir e resistir, permitindo assim entrever as possíveis insurreições cosmopolíticas da Terra e de seus povos contra a barbárie eco-política que se anuncia. / [en] This thesis aims to investigate, from a philosophical standpoint, possible ways of thinking about what it means to resist in the so-called ecological crisis - that is, the severe anthropogenic changes to Earth s biogeochemical cycles that pushed the planet into a new geological epoch: the Anthropocene. This crisis calls into question the very validity of the main categories that structure what we call western epistemology – which, according to Bruno Latour (1994), is characterized by the distribution of all beings into two (and only two) modes of existence, i.e., either as natural or as cultural entities. Therefore, in order to investigate different manners of resisting, we suggest that it is crucial to consider the particular ways in which other ontologies conceive the beings that inhabit the world, as well as how they describe the processes and interferences that threaten to destroy it. Another reason why we need to adopt this ontological pluralism is that, as this thesis aims to demonstrate, the Earth can be understood as a common ground which exists only through the diverging versions of itself. The unity that constitutes this common ground, however, requires a careful labour of composition: it was precisely an attempt at fabricating a common world whithout this composition that unleashed the current war of worlds (Latour, 2002) that the ecological crisis makes inescapable. Thus (still keeping to Latour s terminology), on one side of this war, stand the Humans - those who, by presuming to possess the definitive knowledge over objective reality, have all along claimed their right to unscrupulously exploit the natural beings (as well as other human beings), thus leading us to the present situation of ecological disorder. On the other side stand the Earthbound, those peoples who consider the Earth and its beings as their true allies in existence, rather than just an infinite source of materials to exploit. This thesis outlines a panorama - a non-exhaustive and, to a large extent, speculative one - of the multiple Earthbound modes of existence and resistance, which provides a glimpse of the possible (cosmo)political uprisings of the Earth and its peoples against the eco-political barbarism ahead.

In this dissertation, I argue that contemporary cultural narratives are infused with ongoing ideologies of Euro-American imperialism that prioritizes Western bodies and ways of engaging with living and nonliving beings. This restriction severely hinders possible responses to the present environmental crisis of the era often called the 'Anthropocene' through constant creation and recreation of imperial power relations and the presumed superiority of Western approaches to living. Taking inspiration from postcolonial theorist Edward Said and theories of cultural studies and empire, I use interdisciplinary methods of narrative analysis to examine threads of imperial ideologies that are (re)told and glorified in popular American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001). Voyager follows the Star Trek tradition of exploring the far reaches of space to advance human knowledge, and in doing so writes Western imperial practices of difference into an idealized future. In chapters 2 through 5, I explore how the series highlights American exceptionalism, Manifest Destiny, a belief in endless linear progress, and the creation of a safe 'home' space amidst the 'wild' spaces of the Delta Quadrant. Each of these narrative features, as presented, rely on Western difference and superiority that were fundamental to past and present Euro-American imperial encounters and endeavors. Through the recreation of these ideologies of empire, Voyager normalizes, legitimizes, and universalizes imperial approaches to engagement with other lifeforms. In order to move away from this intertwined thread of past/present/future imperialism, in my final chapter I propose alternatives for ecofeminist-inspired narrative approaches that offer possibilities for non-imperial futures. As my analysis will demonstrate, Voyager is unable to provide new worlds free of imperial ideas, but the possibility exists through the loss of their entire world, and their need to constantly make and remake their world(s). World making provides opportunity for endless possibilities, and science fiction television has the potential to aid in bringing non-imperial worlds to life. These stories push beyond individual and anthropocentric attitudes toward life on earth, and although such stories will not likely be the immediate cause of change in this era of precarity, stories can prime us for thinking in non-imperial ways. / Doctor of Philosophy / In this dissertation, I argue that contemporary cultural narratives feature continuing Euro-American imperialism that prioritizes Western bodies and ideas. These embedded narratives recreate centuries of Western imperial encounters and attitudes, and severely hinder possible responses to the present environmental crisis of the 'modern' era. Taking inspiration from postcolonial theorist Edward Said, I use interdisciplinary methods of narrative analysis to examine threads of imperialism written into popular American science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001). Voyager follows the Star Trek tradition of exploring the far reaches of space to advance human knowledge, and in doing so inscribes Western imperial practices of difference and power into an idealized future through features of exploration, modernity, and progress. In order to move away from these imperial modes of thinking, I then propose alternatives for new narrative approaches that offer possibilities for non-imperial futures. As my analysis will demonstrate, Voyager is unable to provide new worlds free of imperial ideas, but the possibility exists through the loss of their entire world, and their need to constantly make and remake their world(s). World making provides opportunity for endless possibility, and science fiction television has the potential to aid in bringing non-imperial worlds to life. These stories push beyond individual and human centered attitudes toward life on earth, and although such stories will not likely be the immediate cause of change in this era of environmental crisis, stories can prime us for thinking in non-imperial ways.

Sustainability is viewed as a solution to climate change and social unrest, yet the systems we use to understand and implement it often contribute to the very problems they aim to solve. This thesis investigates how stakeholders in the German construction sector integrate sustainability into their daily practices. Using James Lovelock’s concept of Earth as a self- regulating system, the study explores stakeholders’ perceptions of sustainability. Based on qualitative interviews, the research identifies three main themes: certification systems, economic pressures, and the intrinsic connection of stakeholders to Gaia. Findings suggest that while certification systems guide sustainable practices, they are often used due to other motivations than for genuine environmental efforts. Economic pressures further hinder the adoption of sustainable practices, as stakeholders prioritize short-term gains over long-term ecological benefits. However, a strong connection to Gaia and could inspire deeper engagement with sustainability. The thesis concludes that adopting the interconnectedness emphasized by the Gaia hypothesis could lead to more effective and authentic sustainability practices in the construction sector.

This research project is focused on the considerations of the separated people from art systems in artistic process. The inhabitants of the Arquipélago neighborhood located in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil were addressed with PAPC (Artistic Practices of Community Participation) between 2014 and 2017. The argumentation constructed through this thesis is about PAPC established as work strategy and a community organization allowing collectively constructions, specifically, an artwork that involves all the contributions, knowledge and effort of the different groups and social networks of the community. Therefore, Colombian and Mexican PAPC and PAPCol (Artistic Practices of Community Collaboration) experiences, between 1978 and 2014, were presented. The Anthropocene notion is also considered, due to the visible and palpable actual climate change effects on the community contexts, allowing us to question the social function of art facing this contextual reality. The creation laboratories are described, and were carried out in three different educational centers located in La Pintada Island, which resulted in two events called “Noite das Lanternas Flutuantes” on December 16th of 2015 and “Vagalumes no Jacuí” on June 29th of 2016, and finally a third event with the community called “Mboitatá no río Jacuí” on December 18th of 2016 The methodological strategy carried out during the research development, consisted on a series of activities based on horizontal dialogical relationships between the artist and the community, allowing knowledge exchange and collective synergies through which an eventhappening was created as an artwork. The fieldwork evidenced the need for the artist to develop an availability condition to know about the different historical, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental aspects characteristic of the community, through which the artist serves as facilitator on the development of network tissue and organizational processes which supported the realization of the event. In conclusion, the island community to whom the work was carried out, was able to consolidate interpersonal and group interaction relationships which allow them to establish cooperation networks, with a significant level of autonomy, to achieve the proposed objective and the availability to project action towards the future. / Este trabajo de investigación tiene como eje central una reflexión sobre la participación de personas distanciadas de los sistemas de arte en procesos artísticos. Son tratadas PAPC (Prácticas Artísticas de Participación Comunitaria) con habitantes del barrio Arquipélago en la ciudad de Porto Alegre, Brasil, entre los años 2014 y 2017. La argumentación que se trata de construir a lo largo de la tesis es que las PAPC se constituyen en una estrategia de trabajo y organización comunitaria que permite construir colectivamente, en este caso específico, una obra de arte que envuelve todos los aportes, conocimientos, esfuerzos de los distintos grupos y redes sociales que constituyen la comunidad. Para eso, se presentan algunas experiencias de PAPC y PAPCol (Prácticas Artísticas de participación Colaborativas) realizadas en Colombia y México entre los años de 1978 y 2014. Se aborda también la noción de Antropoceno, ya que en el contexto de la comunidad con la que se realiza el proyecto son visibles y palpables los efectos del cambio climático actual que nos lleva a plantearnos cuál es la función social del arte frente a estas realidades contextuales. Se describen los laboratorios de creación realizados en tres centros educativos distintos que están establecidos en la Isla de la Pintada, que resultaron en dos eventos acontecimientos intitulados “Noite das Lanternas Flutuantes” el 16 de diciembre del 2015 y “Vagalumes no Jacuí” el 29 de junio del 2016. Se trata finalmente un tercer evento acontecimiento realizado con la Comunidad, intitulado: “Mboitatá no río Jacuí” el 18 de diciembre del 2016. La estrategia metodológica que se realizó para el desarrollo de la investigación consistió en la puesta en práctica de una serie de actividades basadas en relaciones dialógicas horizontales entre el artista y la comunidad, a través de las cuales se logra un intercambio de conocimientos y de sinergia que permiten la creación de un evento-acontecimiento como obra de arte. El trabajo de campo puso en evidencia la necesidad de que el artista desarrolle una condición de disponibilidad para conocer sobre los distintos aspectos históricos, sociales, económicos, políticos, culturales y ambientales característicos de la comunidad, a través de la cual el artista funge como facilitador en el desarrollo del tejido de redes y procesos organizativos para la realización del evento. Como conclusión se puede decir que la comunidad de las islas con las que se realizó el trabajo logró consolidar relaciones de interacción interpersonales y grupal que les permitió establecer redes de cooperación con un nivel de autonomía importante para lograr el objetivo propuesto y posiblemente para proyectar acciones hacia el futuro.

A l’image du Rhône au sud-est de la France, les fleuves font l’objet de multiples usages, entrainant des modifications profondes de leurs dynamiques fluviales. Par conséquent, les fonctionnements hydro-sédimentaire et écologique de leurs chenaux ainsi que de leurs plaines alluviales sont altérés. Des programmes intégrés de restauration s’attellent à définir les potentiels et les risques liés à de tels ‘écosystèmes anthropo-construits’ et de comprendre les interactions entre divers facteurs de contrôle ayant influencé leur formation. La présente étude s’est focalisée sur 293 casiers Girardon – des unités rectangulaires délimitées par des digues submersibles longitudinales et latérales construites dans le lit mineur au 19ème siècle afin d’améliorer la navigabilité du Rhône. Ceux-ci sont distribués sur quatre secteurs court-circuités au 20ième siècle pour la production hydro-électrique. Nous avons analysé les patrons spatio-temporels de la sédimentation, ainsi que la structure et la composition des boisements grâce à des données issues de la télédétection et de terrain. Nous proposons également un modèle conceptuel des facteurs de contrôle et des processus potentiels en lien avec les patrons observés. Quatre-vingts pourcents des casiers ont évolué du stade aquatique à un stade terrestre et boisé, suivant des trajectoires historiques variées à la fois inter- et intra-secteurs. Les boisements diffèrent en caractéristiques structurelles de boisements de référence plus naturels. Leur composition est plus proche de celle des systèmes matures que pionniers. Nous observons également une forte présence d’espèces allochtones, comme par exemple l’Érable negundo (Acer negundo), invasive, en particulier dans les stades de régénération. Notre approche comparative constitue une première étape pour démêler les effets cumulatifs des facteurs de contrôle et hiérarchiser leurs rôles individuels. Nous avons constaté que des facteurs locaux jouent un rôle majeur, en particulier la connectivité au chenal principal court-circuité. L’évolution des facteurs environnementaux eux-mêmes a contribué à la complexité des patrons. Ce travail ouvre la voie à des futures études sur des écosystèmes anthropo-construits sur cours d’eau, et donne une nouvelle perspective aux gestionnaires du Rhône relativement à son échelle spatiale innovante. / The multiple uses made of large rivers, such as the Rhône in south-eastern France, have provoked profound modifications of their fluvial dynamics. As a consequence, the hydro-sedimentary and ecological functioning of their channels and floodplains are highly altered. Integrated restoration programmes struggle in defining potentials and risks related to such ‘novel ecosystems’ and to understand the various interacting drivers which influence their formation. This study comparatively focused on 293 dike fields—rectangular units delimited by longitudinal and lateral submersible dikes constructed in the channel in the late 19th century to promote the navigability of the Rhône. They are distributed over four reaches by-passed in the 20th century for hydro-electric energy production. We investigated the spatio-temporal patterns of sediment deposition and the structure and composition of the forest stands using remote sensing and field data. We also propose a conceptual model of potential drivers and processes behind the observed patterns. Eighty percent of the dike fields have evolved from the aquatic to a terrestrial and forested stage, following variable historical trajectories both between and within reaches. The forest stands presented structural characteristics which differed from more natural reference stands and compositional characteristics closer to mature than to pioneer systems. They featured a high presence of non-native species, such as the invasive Box elder (Acer negundo). Our comparative approach constituted a first step to disentangle the cumulative effects of the drivers and define their individual roles: we discovered a prominent role of local factors, especially the connectivity to the main by-passed channel. The evolution of the environmental factors themselves added to the complexity of the patterns. This work provides a basis for future studies of novel ecosystems on rivers, and a new perspective to river managers on the Rhône due to its innovative spatial-scale.

No description available.

Le bassin hydrographique de la Seine figure parmi les bassins français les plus anthropisés. Les communautés piscicoles qui le peuplent sont potentiellement marquées par les pressions humaines qui s'exercent sur le milieu aquatique, et dont l'ampleur depuis l'Époque industrielle a été grandissante. L'objectif de ce travail était d'identifier les facteurs à l'origine des modifications de la répartition des peuplements de poissons sur le temps long. Afin de mettre en évidence les possibles changements intervenus durant les deux derniers siècles, ce travail a été mené en croisant deux types d'approches, l'une historique et l'autre écologique. Cette étude, basée sur des données d'observations de poissons dans le bassin de la Seine depuis le début du XIXe siècle, montre une importante modification de la faune piscicole (i.e. introductions et disparitions d'espèces) à l'échelle du bassin. Par ailleurs. L’analyse comparative des données historiques, pour lesquelles existent des mentions d'abondances, et des données écologiques actuelles montre que les aires de répartition de certaines espèces ont été très largement modifiées. Sur différents secteurs du bassin, les résultats témoignent d'évolutions parfois importantes de la composition des peuplements en lien avec différents types de pressions anthropiques exercées sur le milieu à des échelles d'espace et de temps variées. Ce travail confirme l'intérêt d'une approche interdisciplinaire dans la compréhension de l'histoire des écosystèmes. De futures recherches sont néanmoins nécessaires afin de cerner l'importance de facteurs plus locaux sur la répartition des espèces piscicoles. / In France, the Seine River basin has been harshly impacted by anthropogenic pressures since the Industrial revolution. Fish community is expected to be disturbed by these human pressures on aquatic environment. This thesis aimed to highlight the factors involved in the changes of fish species spatial distribution over the last two centuries using both historical and ecological approaches. The analysis of historical data of fish distributions on the Seine River basin showed some important modifications of fish communities (i.e. species introductions and extinctions) at the catchment scale, since the beginning of the XIXth century. The comparative study based on historical abundances and actual data showed that certain species have changed their distribution area. Besides, substantial evolutions in fish assemblages occurred in certain rivers, probably in relation to anthropogenic pressures acting at different spatial and temporal scales. This study confirms the interest of an interdisciplinary approach to improve knowledge of ecosystems' history. Nevertheless, future researches are still needed to better understand the effects of local factors on fish distribution area.

This research project is focused on the considerations of the separated people from art systems in artistic process. The inhabitants of the Arquipélago neighborhood located in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil were addressed with PAPC (Artistic Practices of Community Participation) between 2014 and 2017. The argumentation constructed through this thesis is about PAPC established as work strategy and a community organization allowing collectively constructions, specifically, an artwork that involves all the contributions, knowledge and effort of the different groups and social networks of the community. Therefore, Colombian and Mexican PAPC and PAPCol (Artistic Practices of Community Collaboration) experiences, between 1978 and 2014, were presented. The Anthropocene notion is also considered, due to the visible and palpable actual climate change effects on the community contexts, allowing us to question the social function of art facing this contextual reality. The creation laboratories are described, and were carried out in three different educational centers located in La Pintada Island, which resulted in two events called “Noite das Lanternas Flutuantes” on December 16th of 2015 and “Vagalumes no Jacuí” on June 29th of 2016, and finally a third event with the community called “Mboitatá no río Jacuí” on December 18th of 2016 The methodological strategy carried out during the research development, consisted on a series of activities based on horizontal dialogical relationships between the artist and the community, allowing knowledge exchange and collective synergies through which an eventhappening was created as an artwork. The fieldwork evidenced the need for the artist to develop an availability condition to know about the different historical, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental aspects characteristic of the community, through which the artist serves as facilitator on the development of network tissue and organizational processes which supported the realization of the event. In conclusion, the island community to whom the work was carried out, was able to consolidate interpersonal and group interaction relationships which allow them to establish cooperation networks, with a significant level of autonomy, to achieve the proposed objective and the availability to project action towards the future. / Este trabajo de investigación tiene como eje central una reflexión sobre la participación de personas distanciadas de los sistemas de arte en procesos artísticos. Son tratadas PAPC (Prácticas Artísticas de Participación Comunitaria) con habitantes del barrio Arquipélago en la ciudad de Porto Alegre, Brasil, entre los años 2014 y 2017. La argumentación que se trata de construir a lo largo de la tesis es que las PAPC se constituyen en una estrategia de trabajo y organización comunitaria que permite construir colectivamente, en este caso específico, una obra de arte que envuelve todos los aportes, conocimientos, esfuerzos de los distintos grupos y redes sociales que constituyen la comunidad. Para eso, se presentan algunas experiencias de PAPC y PAPCol (Prácticas Artísticas de participación Colaborativas) realizadas en Colombia y México entre los años de 1978 y 2014. Se aborda también la noción de Antropoceno, ya que en el contexto de la comunidad con la que se realiza el proyecto son visibles y palpables los efectos del cambio climático actual que nos lleva a plantearnos cuál es la función social del arte frente a estas realidades contextuales. Se describen los laboratorios de creación realizados en tres centros educativos distintos que están establecidos en la Isla de la Pintada, que resultaron en dos eventos acontecimientos intitulados “Noite das Lanternas Flutuantes” el 16 de diciembre del 2015 y “Vagalumes no Jacuí” el 29 de junio del 2016. Se trata finalmente un tercer evento acontecimiento realizado con la Comunidad, intitulado: “Mboitatá no río Jacuí” el 18 de diciembre del 2016. La estrategia metodológica que se realizó para el desarrollo de la investigación consistió en la puesta en práctica de una serie de actividades basadas en relaciones dialógicas horizontales entre el artista y la comunidad, a través de las cuales se logra un intercambio de conocimientos y de sinergia que permiten la creación de un evento-acontecimiento como obra de arte. El trabajo de campo puso en evidencia la necesidad de que el artista desarrolle una condición de disponibilidad para conocer sobre los distintos aspectos históricos, sociales, económicos, políticos, culturales y ambientales característicos de la comunidad, a través de la cual el artista funge como facilitador en el desarrollo del tejido de redes y procesos organizativos para la realización del evento. Como conclusión se puede decir que la comunidad de las islas con las que se realizó el trabajo logró consolidar relaciones de interacción interpersonales y grupal que les permitió establecer redes de cooperación con un nivel de autonomía importante para lograr el objetivo propuesto y posiblemente para proyectar acciones hacia el futuro.

The assumption that prehistoric Native American land use practices had little impact on the North American landscape persists in the literature. However, recent research suggests the effects of prehistoric burning, deforestation and agriculture may potentially have been greater than previously considered. To resolve this discrepancy, quantitative estimates of changes in human population size and forest structure and composition over the course of the Holocene are needed. This thesis addresses this need by providing radiocarbon-based paleodemographic reconstructions and pollen-inferred estimates of vegetation change, as well as analyses of associations between the two at both continental and regional scales, from the late Pleistocene to the Anthropocene. One way to estimate paleodemographic change is to use the number of radiocarbon (14C) dates from a given area to study patterns of human occupation through time. A review of the literature and compilation of existing databases relevant to this method showed there is now sufficient data to study the paleodemographic history of many regions around the world. An analysis of 14C datasets from North America and Australia compared well with model-based reconstructions of past demographic growth, and provided higher frequency fluctuations in population densities that will be important for future research. Using a kernel density estimation approach, the first estimates of prehistoric population density for North America were obtained and synthesized into a series of continental-scale maps showing the distribution and frequency of 14C dates in the Canadian Archaeological Radiocarbon Database (CARD). The maps illustrated the space-time evolution of population and migration patterns, which were corroborated by independent sources of evidence. A methodology based on the statistical evaluation of cross-correlations between population and plant abundance was then developed to analyze the associations between these population estimates and plant communities derived from pollen databases. Periods of high spatial cross-correlation (positive and negative) between population and plant abundance were irregular and did not improve over time, suggesting that ancient human impacts are not discernable at a continental scale, either due to low populations or varying human land use practices. To further examine the relationship between pollen data and human land use at a regional scale, estimates of plant density and landscape openness are needed. The REVEALS (Regional Estimates of VEgetation Abundance from Large Sites) model corrects for the non-linear relationship between pollen production and plant abundance and can therefore be used to map histories of land use and land cover change. The model was applied to pollen records from lake sediments in the deciduous forest of southeastern Quebec. A preliminary analysis comparing these results to population density revealed low population during times of high Populus abundance and high population following the appearance of the mixed temperate forest suggesting a discernable human-environment association at regional scales. Overall, the results of thesis support the growing body of literature that suggests prehistoric Native Americans impacted their environments and that these impacts can be detected and quantified by integrating archaeological and paleoecological information. However, the timing, location, and intensity of human land use has changed in both space and time, suggesting regional- to local-scale analyses of human-environment interactions are most appropriate for continental North America. The methodology presented here can be used to study additional North American regions for the purpose of developing a continental history of human-environment interaction.