“Voicing” Earth. Extractivism in Portugal and the ambivalence of ecological transition

The ecological crisis has led to the creation of policies and strategies in the EU that aim to oppose climate change and foster the ecological transition. However, this transition relies on the use of critical resources like lithium, whose extraction process adversely impacts both the environ ment and human health. Investigating the contradictory outcomes of a top-down transition by considering the divergent ideas about socio-economic development among local communities, mining companies, national, and supra-national authorities could encourage alternative paths towards ecological transition. This paper, through a sociological perspective, explores these controversies focusing on the Portuguese case. Finally, drawing on post-extractivist and eco-feminist perspectives, the authors propose the expression voicing Earth to construct a counter-narrative that seeks to shape a transition from below, based on a possible alliance between productive and reproductive activities.