Thinking through ruination: an introduction

Abstract

This introduction aims to present the main contributions of the two parts of the special section – titled “Thinking through ruination: theoretical and empirical approaches to the ruins of the Anthropocene”. The focus of this special section is to explore the anthropogenic ruins of our recent past within the current context of environmental challenges and threats. The compiled articles exemplify the significance of examining these ruins, highlighting their richness and cross-disciplinary nature. Additionally, the introduction underscores the fertile intersections between the articles and discusses their common motifs in addressing the ecological crisis through the lens of ruins and ruination processes.

Keywords

• ruins, debris, waste, infrastructure, concrete, coal, plastic, landscape, extinction, socio-ecological transformations, modernization, Anthropocene