Place-based approaches to develop the foundations and diversities of energy geographies

Abstract

Although geographers are well-positioned to increase the impact and salience of critical, spatially centred and place-based scholarship about energy, highlight that energy geographies do not occupy a central position in climate scholarship, or within human geography, and suggest three pathways to bring energy geographies to the centre of the discipline. Taking a biophysically informed, experientially grounded, place-based perspective to expand on the positioning of energy geographies and justice, I argue that although energy geography may occupy a marginal position within both human geography and energy scholarship, its concerns often lie at the heart of understanding the drivers and dynamics of energy transitions. The practice of actively listening to students and clearly articulating our ideas to help them situate themselves within the subfield are crucial while also enabling energy geographers to refine and expand the conceptual and theoretical foundations of energy geographies. This pedagogical engagement fosters a more heterogeneous and inclusive scholarly community.