Philosophy of energy and energy transition in the age of the petro-Anthropocene†

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>The purpose of this article is to present the multidimensional issue of an ‘energy transition’ from a philosophical, that is, conceptual and analytical, point of view. The argument of this article is that ‘energy transition’ is not simply a technological and economic problem but also an epistemological, cultural, anthropological and even metaphysical one. Energy transition does not only consist of changing the kind of energy that is produced and consumed to power our modern middle-income societies, from fossil fuels to renewable energies. Energy transition asks us to understand what is implied in cultural and social terms by such a shift from ‘grey’ to ‘green’ sources of energy that does not only entail qualitative transformation but also could imply quantitative curtailment. What will be the consequences of our necessary departure from ‘petromodernity’, that is, from the mode of living that came with fossil fuels in modern times that shape our current age of the Anthropocene? To address this question, different dimensions of the philosophy of energy will be studied: epistemological, phenomenological, anthropological, critical and metaphysical. In conclusion, we will, first, propose the notion of a ‘negative energy tax’ to address the problems of ‘energy injustice’. We will then refer to Bataille to provide an ontology of energy that can help to redefine our assumptions and expectations regarding energy spending.</jats:p>

The role of industrial energy management in the transition toward sustainable energy systems : Exploring practices, knowledge dynamics and policy evaluation

“…The philosophy of energy in the context of energy transition explores the fundamental principles, values, and beliefs that underpin the understanding and approach to energy and the process of transitioning toward a more sustainable energy system (Heurtebise, 2020). It delves into the ethical, metaphysical aspects of energy, everyday phenomenology of energy and its values in contemporary society.…”

“…It invites reflections on justice centered on availability, affordability, due process, transparency and accountability, sustainability, equity, and responsibility. • Metaphysical considerations (Heurtebise, 2020): traditional philosophical history emphasizes the opposition between materialism and idealism, but introducing the concept of energy into this debate can offer a new perspective on the ontology of energy. Energy transcends the limitations of both materialism and idealism, suggesting that ontologically there are only energies, connecting or disconnecting entities in transformative processes.…”

“…Our current relationship with energy involves capturing and utilizing it through technology, but this approach may overlook its inner-transformative essence in favor of its disposable kinetic power. • Phenomenology of energy (Heurtebise, 2020;Ihde, 1990): The goal of phenomenology of energy is to reveal how we engage with energy in our daily lives through technological devices by examining the structures of experience and consciousness involved in these interactions. • Values in contemporary 'petrocultures' (Ewing, 2019;Heurtebise, 2020):…”

“…• Phenomenology of energy (Heurtebise, 2020;Ihde, 1990): The goal of phenomenology of energy is to reveal how we engage with energy in our daily lives through technological devices by examining the structures of experience and consciousness involved in these interactions. • Values in contemporary 'petrocultures' (Ewing, 2019;Heurtebise, 2020):…”

Transforming geographies: Performing Indigenous‐Māori ontologies and ethics of more‐than‐human care in an era of ecological emergency

“…“We are petro‐citizens,” claims David R. Cole in Traffic Jams , and effectively petro‐consumers given that “everything we consume depends in some way on oil” (Cole, 2013, p. 5). Heurtebise (2020) characterises the current age as the petro‐Anthropocene or “Petrocene.” Aotearoa was colonised as the fossil‐fuel driven Industrial era was “revolutionising” Anglo/European energy geographies and political economies. In this paper, I use the term industrial‐colonialism and subsequently petrocolonialism to similarly emphasise structural–cultural agents that fuel Indigenous disadvantage in settler‐colonial cultures and ecological crises in climate, in local–global pollution, and biodiversity loss (Ceballos et al, 2017; Harfoot et al, 2018; IPBES, 2019; IPCC, 2018, 2019).…”