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    The Reinvention of Moral Ecologies in Indonesia
    Reuter, T ; Duile, T ; Grossmann, K ; Haug, M ; Sprenger, G (Routledge, 2023)
    The desolate state of global ecosystems now calls for food systems that are sustainable and regenerative. Proponents of a still hegemonic modernist ecology demand ever more ruthless production maximization instead. The battle for hegemony between the two different ecologies is heating up. In practice, however, compromises are inevitable and bound to produce plural ecologies at the local level, and what happens locally is vital because local food systems largely determine whether the overall ecology of a nation will be sustainable or not. Using the island of Java in Indonesia as a case study, this paper explores an emerging movement for more ‘moral’ ecologies that nevertheless also retain elements of modernist scientific ecologies based on rational control of nature. A regenerative agriculture movement has grown in Java that advocates for food systems and wider ecologies to become more sustainable and equitable. While evoking traditional ecologies and associated values, this movement embraces environmental science and innovation. Overall, their post-modern “plural ecologies” strive for high productivity, secure livelihoods, food security for all, and balanced coexistence with nature.
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    Making “The Healing of Bali”
    Darling, S ; Reuter, T ; MacRae, G ; Lucas, A (Monash University Publishing, 2022-11)
    This collection of essays is a multifaceted portrayal of Darling's years in Bali, revealing the cultural experiences that shaped him.
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    Local and Regional Initiatives for Sustainable Food Systems in Indonesia
    Reuter, T ; Macrae, G ; Oosterbeek, L ; Caron, L (Instituto Terra e Memória, 2019)
    Limited supply, increasing demand, environmental change and inequality are major drivers of a looming global food security crisis, and Indonesia is among 30 most at risk countries. Since the 1960s Indonesia has industrialised agriculture, following the advice of the global bio-tech research complex, corporations and development agencies. There is, however, an alternative approach, favoured by local grassroots organisations, NGOs and many researchers; of moral economy-based solutions grounded in communal solidarity, small-scale production, local knowledge and direct distribution networks. To illustrate the viability of this alternative, the paper explores new farmers’ initiatives that provide high-yield, high-quality, low-cost food with ecologically and socially responsible methods. Using ‘symbiotic cooperation’ strategies founded upon a moral economy ethos, they protect farmer livelihoods and vulnerable consumers. The case studies presented contribute toward a model for a worldwide transition to socially and ecologically sustainable regional food systems.
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    World Council of Anthropological Associations (WCAA)
    Reuter, T ; Callan, H (John Wiley & Sons, 2018-10-05)
    Since the early twentieth century, countless modern anthropological studies have paid tribute to the richness of cultural diversity across societies, as well as highlighting some of the existential conditions we all share as human beings. The discipline has not been able to serve as an undistorted mirror of this unity in diversity, however, because scholars from a few privileged nations have dominated the process of anthropological knowledge construction over most of this period of time. The World Council of Anthropological Associations was founded to overcome this deficit by providing a global platform for free communication and democratic participation in the spirit of a new “world anthropologies” paradigm.
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    Nanotechnology in Food: Ethics, Industry Practices and Regulatory Frameworks
    Reuter, T ; Van de Voorde, M ; Jeswani, G (Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2021)
    What are the ethical implications of nanomaterials in food systems, given the potential of such a material to cause harm to human health and the environment? Following an outline of relevant ethical principles, this chapter charts the current use of nanomaterials in food and what we do and do not know about the risks associated therewith. Regulatory frameworks are then examined for their ability to mitigate risks. Three recommendations are put forward. First, it is best to avoid all unnecessary food processing categorically; second, nano-processed food products should only enter the market when harmful impacts can be categorically ruled out on the basis of independent and in-depth research and where benefits are very significant; and finally, complete transparency on the use of nanomaterials and other additives is needed so that consumers can exercise individual discretion regarding their own exposure to nano-food products, even if they are safe, and the more so while any doubts remain about their safety. Overall, the trend of the largely profit-driven global food industry has been and is still toward hyper-processing - despite consistent warnings of health professions about hyper-processed food. Nanotech takes this trend to a new level. Current voluntary producer ethics do not even guarantee transparency, let alone safety, except in jurisdictions where legislation demands it. While some nanomaterials may be beneficial and safe for some applications, industry self-regulation is not viable under these circumstances. While regulations have been strengthened in some jurisdictions such as the European Union, regulators still struggle to catch up with the rapid development and application of ever-new nanotech products by the food industry. A restructure of our innovation systems is recommended so that all stakeholders are included in shaping its future direction from the start.
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    State of the Grain: Grain of the State: The Political - and Moral -Economy of Rice in Indonesia
    Macrae, G ; Reuter, T ; Dundon, A ; Vokes, R (Routledge, 2021)
    In so doing, the volume provides tools not only for understanding states’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also for judging what effects these responses are likely to have.
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    Pertanian, Ketahanan Pangan dan Perubahan Iklim (Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change)
    Reuter, T ; Dariah, A ; Nurbaya, S ; Masripatin, N ; Sugandi, Y ; Adiwibowo, S ; Reuter, T (Penerbit Buku Kompas /Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 2019)
    Climate change poses a serious threat to agricultural production and food security in Indonesia. This threat arrives at a time when global, regional and national food security are already subject to other adverse trends, creating the potential for a perfect storm. In this chapter we look at existing challenges and the additional impact climate change will have. We then examine how the sector contributes to GHG emissions, how it could mitigate climate change by reducing its own emissions, and even help absorb some emissions from other sectors. Mitigation, however, will not be enough. The 21st century is very likely to witness 2-3C of global warming, even if all pledges to the Paris Agreement were honoured. We therefore also outline an adaptation strategy to make Indonesia’s agriculture more resilient and its food supply more secure. We conclude with a concise list of recommendations to policy makers.
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    Developing Trust: An Integrated Vision for Social and Environmental Sustainability and Justice
    Reuter, T ; Sanz, N ; Tejada, C (UNESCO, 2018)
    This paper addresses the question of how the world can move toward a common vision and procedure for achieving socio-ecological sustainability and justice, rather than suffer a catastrophic collapse of civilization. I begin by arguing that this aim can only be achieved through an integrated and holistic process of transformation of our economy and way of life, and that the knowledge sector will be central to facilitating this process. If we reflect on the current role of science in society, especially in the ecological context of the anthropocene and the political context of post-truth polemics, fulfilling this role will require us to heal the fact-value split that has until now kept science separate from or servile to the realm of political action. Social science can be particularly helpful at this historic juncture, by helping to define the psycho-social prerequisites that must be met in order to develop a common and inclusive vision and action plan for a sustainable and just society. Social science shows that endemic collective action issues can be addressed systemically through dialogue, co-designed planning and cooperation. It is argued that the central challenge on the pathway toward universal and sustained human security is thus the building of trust.
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    The Once and Future King: Utopianism as Political Practice in Indonesia
    Reuter, TA ; Guerra, P (UNIV COOPERATIVE COLOMBIA, 2016)