Politicizing the future: on lithium exploration in Portugal
Abstract This text explores the meaning of the expression “mined future,” which has been used by local populations who oppose lithium production in Northern Portugal. We argue that the expression encapsulates the existence of a conflict for the “ownership” of future, unfolding a battle of visions of...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2022-10-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Futures Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40309-022-00209-3 |
| _version_ | 1817983948371787776 |
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| author | Emília Araújo Sofia Bento Marcia Silva |
| author_facet | Emília Araújo Sofia Bento Marcia Silva |
| author_sort | Emília Araújo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This text explores the meaning of the expression “mined future,” which has been used by local populations who oppose lithium production in Northern Portugal. We argue that the expression encapsulates the existence of a conflict for the “ownership” of future, unfolding a battle of visions of the future between local populations and governments. The local population sees the exploitation of lithium as a takeover of future. In contrast, the governments justify the project by promising a sociotechnical future in convergence with European green energy rhetoric. This article follows a grounded theory approach. It relies on information collected about the lithium exploration in Portugal, mainly through journalistic pieces and opinion articles disseminated between 2019 and 2020. In particular, the paper proposes that political action that involves large sociotechnical ventures with the potential of contamination needs to consider the local collective perceptions of the future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:39:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0d5c77b7c78c4f77a45cc28a78278c24 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2195-4194 2195-2248 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:39:31Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Futures Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-0d5c77b7c78c4f77a45cc28a78278c242022-12-22T02:24:35ZengSpringerOpenEuropean Journal of Futures Research2195-41942195-22482022-10-0110111110.1186/s40309-022-00209-3Politicizing the future: on lithium exploration in PortugalEmília Araújo0Sofia Bento1Marcia Silva2Institute of Social Sciences, CECS, University of MinhoLisbon School of Economics and Management, University of Lisbon, and CSG/SOCIUSInstitute of Social Sciences, CECS, University of MinhoAbstract This text explores the meaning of the expression “mined future,” which has been used by local populations who oppose lithium production in Northern Portugal. We argue that the expression encapsulates the existence of a conflict for the “ownership” of future, unfolding a battle of visions of the future between local populations and governments. The local population sees the exploitation of lithium as a takeover of future. In contrast, the governments justify the project by promising a sociotechnical future in convergence with European green energy rhetoric. This article follows a grounded theory approach. It relies on information collected about the lithium exploration in Portugal, mainly through journalistic pieces and opinion articles disseminated between 2019 and 2020. In particular, the paper proposes that political action that involves large sociotechnical ventures with the potential of contamination needs to consider the local collective perceptions of the future.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40309-022-00209-3LithiumTimeTemporalityParticipation |
| spellingShingle | Emília Araújo Sofia Bento Marcia Silva Politicizing the future: on lithium exploration in Portugal European Journal of Futures Research Lithium Time Temporality Participation |
| title | Politicizing the future: on lithium exploration in Portugal |
| title_full | Politicizing the future: on lithium exploration in Portugal |
| title_fullStr | Politicizing the future: on lithium exploration in Portugal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Politicizing the future: on lithium exploration in Portugal |
| title_short | Politicizing the future: on lithium exploration in Portugal |
| title_sort | politicizing the future on lithium exploration in portugal |
| topic | Lithium Time Temporality Participation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40309-022-00209-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT emiliaaraujo politicizingthefutureonlithiumexplorationinportugal AT sofiabento politicizingthefutureonlithiumexplorationinportugal AT marciasilva politicizingthefutureonlithiumexplorationinportugal |