Paper short abstract:

I propose the concept 'Township Environmentalism' as a comprehensive framework to understand the complexities of gold mine dump townships in the Anthropocene era.

Paper long abstract:

The multitude of environmentalism theories plays a crucial role in addressing challenges posed by the Anthropocene. However, I argue that these theories alone cannot adequately convey the intricate story of gold mine dump townships in the Witwatersrand in a fair and comprehensive manner. Thus, I propose the concept of 'Township Environmentalism' as an encompassing framework, aiming to recognise both vocal and less overt forms of environmental activism within this unique context. This approach acknowledges the coexistence of active and passive expressions of environmental concern. By decentralising the study of 'Township Environmentalism,' two sub-concepts emerge: 'Micro Environmental Activism' and 'Environmentalism of the Belly.' These concepts shed light on the diverse ways individuals and communities within townships engage with and respond to environmental challenges. While this paper adopts a theoretical approach primarily, I plan to bolster my arguments by integrating preliminary findings from fieldwork in South Africa. These empirical observations will enrich the understanding of the proposed concept and provide real-world examples of 'Township Environmentalism' in action. While acknowledging the benefits of other decentralised and decolonialised environmentalism theories like 'Black Environmentalism' and 'Environmentalism of the Poor,' I argue that they have inherent limitations in capturing the unique perspectives and responses of Witwatersrand township residents. 'Township Environmentalism' offers a more nuanced and contextually relevant framework to interpret the dynamics at play in this specific setting.