Navigating Crises of Scale in the Anthropocene

Abstract In our contemporary era, anthropologists are increasingly tasked with studying crises of scale—that is, issues related to existential threats such as ecological degradation, inequality, and suffering amid landscapes uncertainty. Such work takes an emotional toll that is rarely acknowledged in anthropological literature. this article, using on plastics a lens, we ask what have offer real problem-solving value how they can sustain their resilience during engagement. We proffer stance term ‘pragmatic melioration’, which focuses harm reduction problem solving (albeit imperfect) the messiness here-and-now, speak has helped us stay motivated despite reflexive distress.