To See the World in a Soybean
Cursus
The Port of Rotterdam, one of the world’s largest harbors, is a crucial hub for global trade, handling around 450 million tonnes of goods annually, including agricultural products like corn, grains, soybeans, and oilseeds. While this trade boosts North-Western Europe’s economy, it also has significant negative impacts on societies and ecosystems worldwide.
This block explores the broader impact of the port—not just its direct operations but also the industries it supports along its value chain. Focusing on soybeans, we will examine how Rotterdam’s trade network contributes to rainforest destruction, industrial meat production, and global exploitation of human and natural resources. Through hidden stories of transshipment, consumption, and their consequences, we’ll uncover the real costs of this trade.
Finally, we will speculate on spatial, social, and ecological scenarios for a future without industrial meat. This workshop is part of the This is Tomorrow 2025 course but can also be attended separately.