An Arctic Bounded By Whiteness: Ethics of Amplification

The reflexive conversation we carry out in this presentation aims to highlight power imbalances and the position of researchers in order to discuss the possibilities of an ethic of amplification that addresses equity in the shaping of narrative within the Anthropocene. Our conversation begins with a discussion of the concept of whiteness in the Arctic that we use metaphorically both as a physical parameter intrinsically linked to Arctic amplification and global climate dynamics, and as a description of the climate science carried out there amplifying the Anthropocene discourse. Then, we suggest that the plurality of voices, perspectives or concerns needed to address climate change in the Arctic requires not having a singular story, the one amplified by climate science, i.e. the Anthropocene, because that would unethically keep amplifying whiteness at the expense of continued ‘othering’ and disempowering of those in Ittoqqortoormiit and in the rest of the Arctic region. Finally, taking stock of our ethnographic experiences, we introduce our tensions towards the concept of Planetary Boundaries, and suggest to grasp it cautiously, for instance with regard to historical dominations or the other-than-human beings.