Energizing geography. Some reflections to think a theoretical framework in energetic key

Abstract

Despite the centrality of energy in current civilizational conditions, the way in which spatial processes feedback from energy systems and influence their capacity for transformation has not been a focal point for geographic analyzes. The ability of the human being to appropriate more and more energy is in its nature, conditioning spatial dynamics, metabolic processes, and power relations. If the exploitation of biological resources in the immediate territory had been the predominant form of pre-capitalist societies, fossil fuels have enabled great social changes towards the formation of a more complex and energivorous (voracious of energy) proteiform network. This continuous increase in energy consumption, more than a physical process, is a social, political, economic, and cultural indicator. For this reason, we consider it valuable to include the energy dimension in geographic studies, especially in a context of strong questioning of the prevailing development model. Starting from identifying three main historical periods: the
pre-capitalist era, the industrial capitalism of the 19th century, and the financial capitalism of the 20th century, this work aims to explore how the reconfiguration of socio-spatial patterns has been traversed by energy in its different shapes and dimensions, and vice versa. Ultimately, it seeks to deconstruct the concept of energy and reveal the
interests and ideological bias that it carries, with the aim of answering what is the role of energy in geographical theory? How is fossil energy related to capitalism?