As a seminal concept, deeply ingrained in the collective imagination, it persists in shaping the visions of writers, artists, and innovators regarding the future.
After all, there exist Denis Villeneuve’s visually stunning films, such as Dune (2021) and Oppenheimer (2024).
While Frank Herbert’s seminal work undoubtedly influenced Afrofuturist authors to ponder ways to navigate environmental catastrophe through futuristic storytelling, it also inspired Elon Musk to pioneer innovative solutions at SpaceX and Tesla, propelling humanity towards a sustainable future among the stars; the parallels between Dune and its cinematic adaptations are undeniable, with their shared fixation on arid planets and gargantuan subterranean creatures.
In 1963, Herbert settled into his writing routine without a burning desire to escape the planet. He was intrigued by the prospect of setting it aside.
As the planet teeters on the brink of ecological catastrophe, Herbert felt compelled to convey a powerful narrative about the devastating consequences of neglecting the environment, where our very home is threatened by the cumulative impact of human activity. Advanced scientific breakthroughs, unimaginable just five decades ago, have propelled humanity to the threshold of catastrophic nuclear conflict and environmental catastrophe; behemoth industries have been siphoning resources from the poor and emitting toxic pollutants into the atmosphere.
When the e-book was unveiled, these universal themes resonated deeply with readers on both an intellectual and emotional level. Despite the tumultuous backdrop of the Cuban missile crisis and Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking study on environmental degradation and its perilous impact on both humans and nature, they had been residing in the shadow of these pivotal events.
swiftly became a beacon for the burgeoning environmental movement and a symbol of inspiration for the emerging field of ecology.
Indigenous Wisdoms
Despite the term “ecology” being coined almost a century prior, the foundational textbook on ecology was still lacking, and as such, the subject remained largely absent from mainstream media outlets like newspapers and magazines at that time? Scant attention had been paid to the emerging field of environmental science, with an even smaller proportion of individuals grasping its implications for shaping a sustainable future on Earth.
While researching my e-book on the history of ecology, I was surprised to discover that Herbert had no knowledge of ecology during his student or journalistic years.
As a young man, he was unexpectedly drawn into the world of ecology through the traditional conservation methods employed by the indigenous tribes of the Pacific Northwest. He learned about them through discussions with two colleagues directly connected to the situation.
The primary figure was a direct descendant of Chief Coboway, the esteemed leader who warmly received explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark upon their arrival on the West Coast in 1805. As a respected member of the Quileute Nation, she served as both an accomplished art instructor and meticulous oral historian, meticulously preserving the rich cultural heritage of her people.
Ternyik, a renowned ecological expert, led Herbert on a 1958 expedition through Oregon’s majestic dune landscapes, furthering his knowledge of the region’s unique ecosystems. In this endeavour, he designed a method to create substantial dunes using beach grasses and robust vegetation with deep roots, thus preventing the drifting sands from encroaching on the nearby city of Florence, as described in detail.
When discussing his experience with the US Division of Agriculture, Ternyik revealed that his time in Oregon was actually part of a broader endeavor to revitalize landscapes severely impacted by European settlement, namely the sprawling river jetties erected by pioneering settlers.
The construction of these breakwaters disrupted the natural flow of coastal currents, ultimately producing massive areas of sand that transformed picturesque stretches of the Pacific Northwest coastline into arid desert landscapes? The novel’s setting, a location once ravaged by early settlers, eerily mirrors this present catastrophe.
As Hansen, a silent mentor to Herbert’s son, had meticulously examined the profound impact that logging had on the fragile ecosystems of Washington’s coastline? To scrutinize ecology with meticulous care, Paul B.’s replica in hand, According to Sears, one of his most cherished quotes, “The highest achievement of science is to give us an understanding of consequences.”
The Fremen, who inhabit the harsh environments of Arrakis and meticulously conserve its delicate ecological balance, exemplify these precepts. As they fight to preserve their planet, the warriors skillfully blend cutting-edge ecological knowledge with ancient Indigenous traditions.
Treasures Hidden within the Sand
Although the study that left the greatest impact on me was likely Leslie Reid’s 1962 ecological research.
Reid articulated a comprehensive definition of ecology and ecosystem science, skillfully conveying the intricate web of relationships between all living organisms within their environment.
As ecological studies deepen, it becomes increasingly evident that interdependence is a fundamental principle, with animals forming intricate webs of reciprocal reliance.
As Herbert delved into the digital realm of Reid’s ebook, he stumbled upon an unexpected discovery – a meticulous model of the Arrakis ecosystem nestled in the most unlikely location: the guano islands of Peru, a find that left him utterly bewildered. As Reid describes, the accumulated bird waste found on these islands has proven to be a highly effective natural fertilizer. The guano islands, once touted as a brand-new “gold rush” on earth, became the focal point of intense conflicts in the late 1800s, as Spain clashed with several former colonies, including Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador, over control of these valuable resources.
At the very core of the narrative lies a power struggle for control over the coveted “spice,” a treasured commodity. Sourced from the arid dunes of a distant desert world, this rare and valuable extract is prized for its unique flavor profile in cuisine and its potent psychoactive properties, allowing certain individuals to transcend the limitations of space-time and venture forth into the vast expanse of interstellar travel.
There lies an unexpected irony in the fact that Herbert concocted the idea for spices from bird excrement. Despite his intrigue with Reid’s measured description of the unique, environmentally conscious ecosystem that yielded a valuable yet pungent product,
Because ecologists explain that frigid currents in the Pacific Ocean drive vitamins to the seafloor of nearby waters, thereby fostering the growth of photosynthetic plankton. These underwater ecosystems support an astonishing array of marine life, including massive schools of fish that in turn nourish a multitude of seabirds and even whales.
Here is the rewritten text:
Herbert’s initial drafts seamlessly integrated multiple narrative levels, as massive sandworms – stretching the length of a football field – roamed the desert, consuming everything in their colossal wake.
As Herbert envisions it, each fearsome creature begins its life cycle as tiny, photosynthesizing organisms that evolve into larger “sand trout,” their growth eventually culminating in behemoth sandworms that relentlessly churn the desert dunes, scattering precious spice across the arid terrain.
Within the pages of the e-book, Fremen warrior Gurney Halleck whispers an enigmatic refrain that echoes across the inverted landscapes of aquatic life and arid exploitation: “For they shall suck from the abundance of the seas and from the treasure hidden beneath the sands.”
‘Dune’ Revolutions
Following the publication of Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking book Silent Spring in 1965, the environmental movement quickly seized upon its findings and ideas with great enthusiasm.
At Philadelphia’s inaugural Earth Day celebration in 1970, Herbert took to the stage. Meanwhile, the first edition of a seminal DIY manual and bulletin for environmental crusaders hit the shelves, its promotional pitch proclaiming: “The metaphor is ecology.” The theme revolution.”
As Chani, played by Zendaya, stands as an indigenous Fremen in Denis Villeneuve’s first adaptation, her inquiry prophetically foreshadows the brutal denouement awaiting the sequel: “Who will our next oppressors be?”
As Paul Atreides’s consciousness plummets into a restful slumber, the actor Timothée Chalamet brings the titular character to life with a powerful portrayal that drives home the poignant anti-colonial theme with unflinching precision. Villeneuve’s films meticulously expand upon the anti-colonial motifs found in Herbert’s literary works, showcasing a profound understanding of the author’s vision.
The sting of their environmental critique has been significantly diminished. While Denis Villeneuve’s potential adaptation of the next installment in the Dune series may be influenced by a novel that vividly depicts the environmental damage caused by ecological harm on Arrakis, further details about this hypothetical movie remain unclear.
Can Herbert’s prophetic ecological warning, still striking a chord with readers in the 1960s, be revisited now?
