Policy Press

Reproduction, Kin and Climate Crisis

Making Bushfire Babies

By Celia Roberts, Mary Lou Rasmussen, Louisa Allen and Rebecca Williamson

Published

Sep 29, 2023

Page count

212 pages

ISBN

978-1529226850

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Sep 29, 2023

Page count

212 pages

ISBN

978-1529226843

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Sep 29, 2023

Page count

212 pages

ISBN

978-1529226867

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

Sep 29, 2023

Page count

212 pages

ISBN

978-1529226867

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Reproduction, Kin and Climate Crisis

What is it like to have a baby in climate crisis?

This book explores the experiences of pregnant women and their partners, pre- and post-birth, during the catastrophic Australian bushfire season of 2019-20 and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic. Engaging a range of concepts, including the Pyrocene, breath, care and embodiment, the authors explore how climate crisis is changing experiences of having children. They also raise questions about how gender and sexuality are shaped by histories of human engagements with fire.

This interdisciplinary analysis brings feminist and queer questions about reproduction and kin into debates on contemporary planetary crises.

“This book brings a fresh perspective to reproduction. Focusing on the effects of the Pyrocene, it reflects critically on the experiences of having children in a time of ecological destruction.” Sonja van Wichelen, University of Sydney

“There is a palpable urgency to this work, and genuine depth to the data and the arguments presented. An important, timely and sophisticated book.” Eeva Sointu, York St John University

Celia Roberts is Professor at the Australian National University.

Mary Lou Rasmussen is Professor at the Australian National University.

Louisa Allen is Professor at the University of Auckland.

Rebecca Williamson is Researcher at the Australian National University.

Interleave 1

1 Reproducing in Climate Crisis

Interleave 2

2. Methods in Crisis

Interleave 3

3. Breath, Breathing and 'Mum-Guilt'

Interleave 4

4. Smoke, Machines and Public Health

Interleave 5

5. Kin, Care and Crises

Interleave 6

6. Pyro-Reproductive Futures

Interleave 7

7. Making Bushfire Babies