| Edition |
1st ed. |
| Description |
xiv, 253 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. |
| Series |
Studies in environmental anthropology and ethnobiology ; v. 12
|
|
Studies in environmental anthropology and ethnobiology ; v. 12.
|
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Summary |
"Whaling has become one of the most controversial environmental issues. It is not that all whale species are at the brink of extinction, but that whales have become important symbols to both pro- and anti-whaling factions and can easily be appropriated as the common heritage of humankind. This book, the first of its kind, is therefore not about whales and whaling per se but about how people communicate about whales and whaling. It contributes to a better understanding and discussion of controversial environmental issues: Why and how are issues selected? How is knowledge on these issues produced and distributed by organizations and activists? And why do affluent countries like Japan and Norway still support whaling, which is of insignificant economic importance?" "Basing his analysis on fieldwork in Japan and Norway and at the International Whaling Commission, the author argues how an image of a "superwhale" has been constructed and how this image has replaced meat and oil as the important whale commodity. He concludes that the whaling issue provides an arena where NGOs and authorities on each side can unite, swapping political legitimacy and building personal relations that can be useful on issues where relations are less harmonious."--BOOK JACKET. |
| Contents |
Ch. 1. Creation of a 'Superwhale' -- Ch. 2. Whale Protectionists -- Ch. 3. Diverting the Commodity Path -- Ch. 4. International Whaling Commission (IWC) -- Ch. 5. Whaling and Identity -- Ch. 6. Local Responses to Global Issues -- Ch. 7. Conclusion. |
| Subject |
Whales -- Public opinion.
|
|
Whales. |
|
Public opinion. |
|
Whaling -- Public opinion.
|
|
Whaling. |
|
Whaling -- Environmental aspects.
|
|
Whaling -- Environmental aspects. |
|
Communication and culture.
|
|
Communication and culture. |
|
Communication in nature conservation.
|
|
Communication in nature conservation. |
|
Maritime anthropology.
|
|
Maritime anthropology. |
| ISBN |
9781845455811 alkaline paper |
|
1845455819 alkaline paper |
|
