O PAPEL DA GEOGRAFIA NO DEBATE SOBRE O MEIO AMBIENTE: SUPERANDO DICOTOMIAS / THE ROLE OF GEOGRAPHY IN THE DEBATE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT: OVERCOMING DICHOTOMIES

Abstract

doi: 10.12957/geouerj.2017.19223

This article is mainly aimed to analyze the role of geography in the debate on environmental issues, questioning the dichotomy between Physical Geography and Human Geography. The environment is a recurring theme in academic discussions and present in different political agendas and, therefore, geography has to define how it can contribute to the enrichment of this field. However, to get in this dense discussion, geography need, first of all, question their historical internal divisions. This article demonstrates how is possible to think of Human Geography and Physical Geography as geographical knowledge production areas, despite methodologies, epistemologies, different theories and concepts. Although there is no clear unit in geography, a healthy dialogue between their areas could exist in some themes that urge for this relationship. This bridge has to go beyond Human as "anthropic factor" (without questioning relations and cultural, economic and political differences) or Nature being external to Human. The purpose of this article is to bring the scale as a methodological possibility of contact between the Human Geography and Physical Geography, overcoming dichotomies and fostering debate.