The Basic Environmental History

This book is an introductory instrument to the main themes of environmental history, illustrating its development over time, methodological implications, results achieved and those still under discussion. But the overriding aspiration is to show that the doubts, methods and knowledge elaborated by environmental history have a heuristic value that is far from negligible precisely in its attitude to the most consolidated major historiography. For this reason, this book gives an overview of environmental history as it is an essential component of the basic knowledge of global history. At the same time, it introduces specific aspects which are useful both for anyone wanting to deepen his/her studies of environmental historiography and for those interested in one of the many disciplinary areas – from rural history to urban history, from the history of technology to the history of public health, etc. with which environmental history develops a dialogue.

By studying the many ways diverse peoples have changed, shaped, and conserved the natural world over time, environmental historians provide insight into humanity's unique relationship with nature and, more importantly, are better able to understand the origins of our current environmental crisis. Beginning with the precolonial land-use practice of Native Americans and concluding with our twenty-first century concerns over our global ecological crisis, American Environmental History addresses contentious issues such as the preservation of the wilderness, the expulsion of native peoples from national parks, and population growth, and considers the formative forces of gender, race, and class. Entries address a range of topics, from the impact of rice cultivation, slavery, and the growth of the automobile suburb to the effects of the Russian sea otter trade, Columbia River salmon fisheries, the environmental justice movement, and globalization. This illustrated reference is an essential companion for students interested in the ongoing transformation of the American landscape and the conflicts over its resources and conservation. It makes rich use of the tools and resources (climatic and geological data, court records, archaeological digs, and the writings of naturalists) that environmental historians rely on to conduct their research. The volume also includes a compendium of significant people, concepts, events, agencies, and legislation, and an extensive bibliography of critical films, books, and Web sites.

An Environmental History of the World is a concise history, from Ancient to Modern times, of the interaction between human societies and the other forms of life that inhabit our planet. This original work follows a chronological path through the history of mankind, in relationship to ecosystems around the world. Each chapter concentrates on a general period in human history which has been characterised by large scale changes in the relationship of human societies to the biosphere, and gives three case-studies that illustrate the significant patterns occurring at that time. Little environmental or historical knowledge is assumed from the reader in this introduction to environmental history.

Here is the story of the long interaction between humans, land, and climate in the American South. It is a tale of exploitation and erosion, of destruction, disease, and defeat, but also of the persistent search for knowledge and wisdom. It is a story whose villains were also its victims and sometimes its heroes. Ancient forces created the southern landscape, but, as Albert E. Cowdrey shows, humankind from the time of earliest habitation has been at work reshaping it. The southern Indians, far from being the "natural ecologists" of myth, radically transformed their environment by hunting and burning. Such patterns were greatly accelerated by the arrival of Europeans, who viewed the land as a commodity to be exploited for immediate economic benefit. Cowdrey documents not only the long decline but the painfully slow struggle to repair the damage of human folly. The eighteenth century saw widespread though ineffectual efforts to protect game and conserve the soil. In the nineteenth century the first hesitant steps were taken toward scientific flood control, forestry, wildlife protection, and improved medicine. In this century, the New Deal, the explosion in scientific knowledge, and the national environmental movement have spurred more rapid improvements. But the efforts to harness the South's great rivers, to save its wild species, and to avert serious environmental pollution have often had equivocal results. Originally published in 1983 and needed now more than ever, This Land, This South was the first book to explore the cumulative impact of humans on the southern landscape and its effect on them. In graceful and at times lyrical prose, Albert Cowdrey brings together a vast array of information. Now revised and updated, this important book should be read by every person concerned with the past, present, or future of the South.

What is environmental history? It is a kind of history that seeks understanding of human beings as they have lived, worked, and thought in relationship to the rest of nature through the changes brought by time. In this new edition of his seminal student textbook, J. Donald Hughes provides a masterful overview of the thinkers, topics, and perspectives that have come to constitute the exciting discipline that is environmental history. He does so on a global scale, drawing together disparate trends from a rich variety of countries into a unified whole, illuminating trends and key themes in the process. Those already familiar with the discipline will find themselves invited to think about the subject in a new way. This new edition has been updated to reflect recent developments, trends, and new work in environmental history, as well as a brand new note on its possible future. Students and scholars new to environmental history will find the book both an indispensable guide and a rich source of inspiration for future work.

"Introduction to Environmental History" provides a comprehensive overview of the interplay between human societies and the natural world throughout history. This thought-provoking book explores various aspects of environmental history, ranging from the historical roots of environmentalism to global perspectives on environmental challenges. It delves into the significance of understanding environmental history and offers insights into the current environmental issues that threaten our planet. Furthermore, it presents solutions and recommendations for sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and the future of environmental history. The book begins with an introduction to the field of environmental history, highlighting its importance in understanding the dynamic relationship between human beings and their environment. It examines the historical roots of environmentalism, tracing the practices and attitudes towards the environment in pre-industrial societies and the profound impact of the Industrial Revolution. A global perspective is then explored, with dedicated chapters focusing on different regions of the world, including Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, Australia and Oceania, South America, and even Antarctica. This broad view highlights the diverse environmental challenges faced by various cultures and societies throughout history. The book further delves into environmental challenges within the four spheres of the Earth: lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. It examines issues such as deforestation, land degradation, water scarcity, water pollution, climate change, air pollution, biodiversity loss, and endangered species. In the subsequent chapters, the book delves into the current environmental challenges that humanity confronts today. It explores the impacts of climate change, pollution on human health, biodiversity loss, population growth, food insecurity, poverty, environmental degradation's health risks, oceans acidification, depletion of natural resources, water scarcity, and the consequences of environmental disasters. To address these challenges, the book presents potential solutions, emphasizing sustainable practices, renewable energy sources, and conservation efforts. It highlights the benefits of adopting these measures and calls for collective action to safeguard the planet for future generations. The future of environmental history is also contemplated, reflecting on the past, examining the present, and providing recommendations for future action. It explores the role of environmentalists and various events that promote environmental awareness and action. Lastly, the book includes a section on environmental disasters, shedding light on the detrimental impacts of activities such as mining, deforestation, natural disasters, water pollution, plastic pollution, oil spills, forest fires, industrial pollution, smog, nuclear accidents, and transportation-related environmental challenges. "Introduction to Environmental History" serves as a valuable resource for students, scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the historical context of our environmental challenges and finding sustainable solutions to create a better future. It offers a comprehensive exploration of environmental history, the current state of our planet, and the urgent need for action to protect and preserve our environment.

This book is an introductory instrument to the main themes of environmental history, illustrating its development over time, methodological implications, results achieved and those still under discussion. But the overriding aspiration is to show that the doubts, methods and knowledge elaborated by environmental history have a heuristic value that is far from negligible precisely in its attitude to the most consolidated major historiography. For this reason, this book gives an overview of environmental history as it is an essential component of the basic knowledge of global history. At the same time, it introduces specific aspects which are useful both for anyone wanting to deepen his/her studies of environmental historiography and for those interested in one of the many disciplinary areas – from rural history to urban history, from the history of technology to the history of public health, etc. with which environmental history develops a dialogue.

Environmental History: An Introductory Guide is a concise and student-friendly guide to environmental history. Oosthoek offers a fresh approach to the subject by asking if the present state of the environment is unprecedented in a long-term historical perspective. The first chapters of the book explore what environmental history is, its boundaries and the methods and principles of how it is studied. These chapters present a theoretical framework that bridges the natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities. The following chapters deal with key themes in environmental history. By providing numerous historical examples from around the globe, such as the Little Ice Age, the Great London Smog, the Columbian Exchange, and the collapse of the Anasazi civilization, Oosthoek guides students through the main themes and ideas of the subject: cultural, intellectual and political environmental history; resources and energy; urban, rural and marine environmental history; climate history; and biological exchanges. With an impressive breadth and coverage of the latest research in the field, this book is a much-needed resource for all students of environmental history.

This book is the product of the 2nd World Conference on Environmental History, held in Guimarães, Portugal, in 2014. It gathers works by authors from the five continents, addressing concerns raised by past events so as to provide information to help manage the present and the future. It reveals how our cultural background and examples of past territorial intervention can help to combat political and cultural limitations through the common language of environmental benefits without disguising harmful past human interventions. Considering that political ideologies such as socialism and capitalism, as well as religion, fail to offer global paradigms for common ground, an environmentally positive discourse instead of an ecological determinism might serve as an umbrella common language to overcome blocking factors, real or invented, and avoid repeating ecological loss. Therefore, agency, environmental speech and historical research are urgently needed in order to sustain environmental paradigms and overcome political, cultural an economic interests in the public arena. This book intertwines reflections on our bonds with landscapes, processes of natural and scientific transfer across the globe, the changing of ecosystems, the way in which scientific knowledge has historically both accelerated destruction and allowed a better distribution of vital resources or as it, in today’s world, can offer alternatives that avoid harming those same vital natural resources: water, soil and air. In addition, it shows the relevance of cultural factors both in the taming of nature in favor of human comfort and in the role of the environment matters in the forging of cultural identities, which cannot be detached from technical intervention in the world. In short, the book firstly studies the past, approaching it as a data set of how the environment has shaped culture, secondly seeks to understand the present, and thirdly assesses future perspectives: what to keep, what to change, and what to dream anew, considering that conventional solutions have not sufficed to protect life on our planet.