Grieving the Nonhuman: On Mourning In and Beyond the Anthropocene

Abstract

In the current era of unprecedented human-induced climate change, environmental losses –experienced and anticipated – are increasingly articulated through the concept of eco-grief. This article explores this concept through the lens of modern, transcultural philosophical thought and bereavement studies, focusing on its current inefficacies, to highlight pathways for further development. To address the growing call for the expansion of mourning practices beyond human loss and contribute to this conceptual shift, this article seeks to incorporate philosophical perspectives into existing frameworks. The discussion of these frameworks serves as a foundation for engaging with a contemporary artwork that expresses environmental mourning, aiming to contribute to the normalization of affect towards nonhumans while challenging the perceived hierarchical divide between humanity and the natural world.