Blogs

Sometimes, a blog can contain some text directly copied from a paper by myself

The unsustainability of the southern African wildlife economy

Stasja Koot, Lerato Thakholi, Bram Büscher Southern Africa’s wildlife economy is often hailed as a major success and model to be emulated. Using biodiversity and wildlife as the basis for economic growth is seen to both increase wildlife numbers and economic revenue, leading to sustainable economic development. But does it actually do that? A recent…Read more The unsustainability of the southern African wildlife economy

Ethics research codes and contracts may oppress vulnerable and Indigenous groups

Codes of conduct and contracts for scientific research should protect vulnerable populations, such as Indigenous peoples, from exploitation and promote their role in research. But with the San in Southern Africa, I have found that they can also backfire and even oppress them. Ethical rules for scientific research are important to prevent research from being…Read more Ethics research codes and contracts may oppress vulnerable and Indigenous groups

Privatisation and commodification: Ecotourism as capitalist expansion in Sumatra, Indonesia

Authors: Stasja Koot, Lubabun Ni’am, Chantal Wieckardt, Roderick Buiskool, Nadya Karimasari, Joost Jongerden Introduction In this blog post, we explore recent ecotourism developments as capitalist expansion in the buffer zone to the east of the Mount Leuser National Park (MLNP), Sumatra, Indonesia. The close interaction with nature, and some specific charismatic animals, provide for spreading…Read more Privatisation and commodification: Ecotourism as capitalist expansion in Sumatra, Indonesia

‘Ethical donor tourism’ in Africa

Stasja Koot and Robert Fletcher Introduction In this blog post we explore two novel types of ‘ethical donor tourism’: philanthrotourism and environmentourism. Both are often presented as supporting social and environmental causes, but this positive self-presentation may obscure how they actually benefit from and reinforce inequalities and environmental degradation. After introducing them, we provide a…Read more ‘Ethical donor tourism’ in Africa