This volume takes an ecofeminist perspective in analysing societal changes related to energy transition, with a focus on Upper Silesia in Europe, following the closure of coal-mining industries in the region. It provides both a macro and micro view of how energy transition in societies built around an energy industry can lead to major shifts in societal and familial dynamics, and how women locate themselves in this transition period affecting the economy as well as social and environmental structures and values. Densely populated Upper Silesia in southern Poland, with one of the longest histories of industrialization, extractivism and environmental degradation in Europe, can be considered as a microcosm of regions that have undergone such changes due to energy transition. The traces of telling socio-economic changes, as well as the tangle of modernity and conservatism, are both clearly visible in the local region and society. The book documents the Silesian changes and highlights the female perspective: their culture, identities, as well as empowerment and the agency. The paradigm of feminist and masculinity studies helps in presenting the complexity and the challenges of the just energy transition.
This is a topical volume, given that many regions of the world are undergoing similar changes, and is an interesting read for decision-makers, policy experts, environmentalists, as well social scientists who study issues related to sustainability and environmental/societal challenges in energy transition.
Chapter 1 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.
Katarzyna Iwińska is sociologist and Vice-rector for Scientific Research at Collegium Civitas, Warsaw. She worked as expert and research coordinator in international and national projects concerning public participation and energy transition. Her research focuses on environmental sociology, civil society, public perception of energy transition, and decision making processes. She also has broad academic teaching experience – she has published a book “Widening Interdisciplinary Sustainable Education” built on the sustainability case- and project-based teaching methods (Eds. Iwinska, Jones, Kraszewska 2018).
Xymena Bukowska is a sociologist and Assistant Professor at the Institute of Sociology, Collegium Civitas, Warsaw. Her research interests include: civil society, democracy and citizenship theory, as well as cultural sociology, political culture and identity in the (late) modern societies – both at national andat local level. Her recently published work is Women’s Silesia: tradition, activity and ecology [Śląsk kobiet: tradycja, aktywność i ekologia], (Eds. Iwińska, Bukowska, 2018).
