Abstract
In environmental debates, the opinion is often raised that synthetic chemicals are 'unnatural'. Understanding this claim from a transdisciplinary background is fundamentally important for a productive discourse about the role of chemicals in the environment. This article systemizes different perceptions of the '(un-)naturalness' of chemicals and complements existing research on the distinction between 'natural' and 'artificial' substances. Furthermore, the importance of chemistry as a technique for reproducing 'natural' substances is highlighted and combined with a substance stories approach (German Stoffgeschichten). The article establishes a common ground for transdisciplinary communication about the '(un-)naturalness' of chemicals, which can thereby reduce misunderstandings and prejudices in public debates about chemicals in the environment.
Translated title of the contribution | “Is this natural or does it contain chemicals?” Towards a transdisciplinary understanding of the '(un-)naturalness' of chemicals |
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Original language | German |
Pages (from-to) | 94-102 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2022 |
Externally published | Yes |