Introduction

This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part addresses the issues outlined by Akram-Lodhi by turning attention to the vast sea of islands known as Oceania, many of which are experiencing a significant rise in sea levels caused by the global exploitation of resources and contamination of the environment. It explores materialist framework for understanding the relationship between land expropriation, colonialism and contemporary neoliberal capitalism. The part argues that to mitigate against planetary environmental harm, the 'protective ontologies' maintained and cultivated by Indigenous communities must be afforded their rightful guiding position at the forefront of global action. It also argues for a consideration of global environmental harm from the position of the world's 'internal frontiers' in both settler colonial and former franchise colonial countries.