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The Opportunities and Risks of the Soil Security Metaphor: A Review

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  • Catherine Allan

    (Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries). Charles Sturt University, P.O. Box 789, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia
    Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia)

Abstract

Language both represents and constructs our reality. Soil Security is a proposed new frame for encouraging the systematic and interdisciplinary approaches to soil research needed to address complex needs. This bold attempt at reframing may, however, have numerous consequences in addition to its central intent. This review paper explores words and discourses related to ‘Soil Security’. Current understanding of how language frames reality is presented, emphasising the roles of metaphor and entailments. Soil Security is then situated in relation to the broader construct of Environmental Security, with references to security of water, food and energy. Against this background, aspects of Soil Security are explored, and some cautions issued to users of the term. The soil science community is urged to actively consider the implications and nuances of any discourse, including that of Soil Security, with which it engages, or risk being led to operate in unintended or unwelcome ways. To guide this engagement, the review paper concludes with suggestions on how to reflect on the practice of soil science and its role in the future of humanity.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine Allan, 2019. "The Opportunities and Risks of the Soil Security Metaphor: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-10, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:16:p:4464-:d:258659
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrea Gerlak & Farhad Mukhtarov, 2015. "‘Ways of knowing’ water: integrated water resources management and water security as complementary discourses," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 257-272, September.
    2. Chad Staddon & Christopher A. Scott, 2018. "Putting water security to work: addressing global challenges," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(8), pages 1017-1025, November.
    3. Ray Ison & Catherine Allan & Kevin Collins, 2015. "Reframing water governance praxis: Does reflection on metaphors have a role?," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 33(6), pages 1697-1713, December.
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