What is the core definition of environmental history as a field of study?

Environmental history is defined as the study of human interaction with the natural world over time. It emphasizes the reciprocal influence between nature and human affairs, recognizing that nature actively shapes human history, and humans, in turn, impact the environment.

When and where did environmental history primarily emerge as a distinct academic field?

Environmental history first emerged in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. Its development was significantly influenced by the environmental movement of that era and ongoing global environmental concerns.

What are the three main components into which the subject matter of environmental history is divided?

The subject matter of environmental history is divided into three main components: 1) nature itself and its changes over time, including human physical impacts on land, water, atmosphere, and biosphere; 2) how humans use nature, encompassing the consequences of population growth, technology, and changing consumption patterns; and 3) how people perceive and think about nature, including their attitudes, beliefs, myths, religions, and scientific understanding.

Which historical events are highlighted as significant influences on environmental history's subject matter?

Key historical events influencing environmental history include the Neolithic Revolution's transition to agriculture, the effects of colonial expansion and settlements, and the environmental and human consequences stemming from the Industrial and technological revolutions.

Who is credited with publishing a classic text of early environmental history in 1967, and what was its title?

Roderick Nash published 'Wilderness and the American Mind' in 1967, which is considered a classic text in the early development of environmental history.

When was the term 'environmental history' first used, and when is it generally considered to have been coined?

Roderick Nash used the expression 'environmental history' in an address in 1969, though the term is generally considered to have been first coined in 1972.

Besides Roderick Nash, what other early works are considered foundational in the field of environmental history?

Two other key early works are Samuel P. Hays's 1959 book 'Conservation and the Gospel of Efficiency: The Progressive Conservation Movement, 1890–1920,' and Alfred W. Crosby's 1972 book 'The Columbian Exchange.'

How is environmental history generally defined by Donald Worster and J. Donald Hughes?

Donald Worster, in 1988, defined environmental history as the 'interaction between human cultures and the environment in the past.' J. Donald Hughes, in 2001, defined it as the 'study of human relationships through time with the natural communities of which they are a part in order to explain the processes of change that affect that relationship.'

What does environmental history aim to explain regarding the environment and humanity's role?

Environmental history seeks to explain why the environment is in its current state, how humanity has influenced its condition, and to comment on future environmental problems and opportunities. It explores the mutual relationship between humankind and the rest of nature.

How does environmental history broaden the scope of traditional historical analysis?

Environmental history broadens traditional historical analysis by examining the role and place of nature in human life, making historical narratives more inclusive. It investigates how the biophysical world has influenced human history and how people have attempted to transform their surroundings.

What are the three 'dimensions' J. Donald Hughes uses to view the subject of environmental history?

J. Donald Hughes views environmental history through three dimensions: 1) nature and culture, 2) history and science, and 3) scale. This framework helps to organize the study of human-environment interactions.

What traditional historical approaches are used within environmental history, and what are some more environmentally focused themes?

Traditional approaches analyze the transformation of global ecology through themes like the Neolithic Revolution, imperialism, exploration, agricultural change, the Industrial and technological revolutions, and urban expansion. More environmentally focused themes include human impacts on forestry, fire, climate change, and sustainability.

How does environmental history approach different scales of time and geography?

Environmental history can encompass vast geological timescales and the entire Earth, but it also frequently focuses on local, regional, and national histories, as well as shorter time periods. Some scholars extend the discipline's scope to include the period before human presence on Earth.

What ancient thinkers addressed questions relevant to environmental history?

Ancient thinkers like Hippocrates, who related human temperaments to their surroundings, and scholars such as Ibn Khaldun and Montesquieu, who identified climate as a key determinant of human behavior, addressed themes relevant to environmental history.

How did the Annales School influence the development of environmental history?

The Annales School, founded in France in 1929, influenced environmental history by focusing on the reciprocal global influences of the environment and human society. They shifted attention from political and intellectual history towards agriculture, demography, and geography, emphasizing long-term environmental developments.

What was the impetus behind the emergence of environmental history as an independent field in the US during the 1960s and 1970s?

The emergence of environmental history in the US was driven by the environmentalism and conservation movements of the 1960s and 1970s. It also served as a reaction against historical narratives that celebrated human mastery over nature and expected continuous technological improvement.

Which American writers and activists provided moral and political inspiration for environmental historians?

American writers and activists such as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Aldo Leopold, and Rachel Carson provided moral and political inspiration for environmental historians. Their work often promoted an environmental agenda, even as the field became more scholarly.

How did environmental history approach the study of the British Empire?

Environmental history began examining the British Empire in the 1990s, exploring the environmental impact of imperial forestry, the movement of species, the use of rivers for dams and irrigation, and the ecological disruption caused by colonial expansion. It also looked at how imperialism influenced attitudes toward nature and supported botanical research.

What is the concept of 'eco-cultural networks' in the context of the British Empire's environmental history?

Eco-cultural networks are used as a lens to examine interconnected, wide-ranging social and environmental processes within the British Empire. This approach helps scholars understand how environmental factors and cultural exchanges were linked across vast distances.

What key institutions and journals are associated with the practice of environmental history?

Key institutions include the American Society for Environmental History (founded 1977) and the European Society for Environmental History (founded 1999). Important journals include 'Environment and History' and 'Environmental History.'

What are some of the major themes that environmental historians explore regarding global sustainability?

Environmental historians examine themes challenging global sustainability, such as population growth, consumerism, climate change, waste disposal, deforestation, species extinction, resource depletion, invasive organisms, and urban development. They often highlight the need for sustainable resource use.

What is a 'declensionist narrative' in the context of environmental history?

A 'declensionist narrative' in environmental history refers to accounts that describe increasing environmental decline due to human activity. This narrative is a form of the 'lost golden age' story that has appeared throughout human thought.

What is the accusation of 'presentism' in environmental history, and how do historians address it?

The accusation of 'presentism' suggests that environmental history is merely a reaction to contemporary environmental problems, projecting modern concerns onto past periods. Historians address this by emphasizing the need to understand the values and imperatives of the past to explain causes and context, rather than simply assigning blame.

What is 'environmental determinism' as discussed in environmental history, and how does it contrast with 'cultural determinism'?

Environmental determinism is the view that environmental conditions and resources largely determine or predispose the direction of human cultural development. This contrasts with cultural determinism, which suggests human influence is so pervasive that pristine nature is an invalid concept, and all interactions with nature are mediated by culture.

What methodologies and skills are required for students of environmental history?

Students of environmental history need skills from both history and natural sciences, requiring fluency in the language of natural science, particularly ecology. Methodologies and insights from various physical and social sciences are essential, confirming its multidisciplinary nature.

What are some of the key works cited in the field of environmental history?

Key works include Roderick Nash's 'Wilderness and the American Mind,' Alfred W. Crosby's 'The Columbian Exchange,' Donald Worster's 'Nature's Economy,' and J. Donald Hughes's 'An Environmental History of the World.'

How has environmental history been practiced in different regions of the world, according to the text?

The text outlines environmental history practices across various regions, including Africa, the Americas (Canada, US, Latin America), Asia (South, Southeast, East), the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand). Each region has unique historical contexts and scholarly contributions.

What are some of the related disciplines that environmental history draws upon or intersects with?

Environmental history is related to disciplines such as historical geography, the history and philosophy of science, history of technology, climate science, ecology, historical ecology, forestry, archaeology, anthropology, environmentalism, ecological economics, and environmental economics.

What are some of the ongoing debates or 'issues' within the field of environmental history?

Ongoing debates include the appropriateness of subject matter, the tension between environmental advocacy and scholarly objectivity, standards of professionalism, the relative influence of nature versus human agency, and the degree of integration with other disciplines, especially mainstream history.

How does environmental history engage with the concept of inequality?

Recent environmental history emphasizes inequality, noting how power imbalances have shifted the burden of industrial pollution onto less powerful populations. It critiques early environmentalism for sometimes focusing on preserving middle-class spaces while neglecting the plight of the less privileged.

What is the role of environmental history in addressing contemporary environmental challenges?

Environmental history aims to provide a deeper understanding of past events to inform current environmental controversies and guide policy decisions. It offers new perspectives, fosters interdisciplinary cooperation, and provides historical context for environmental problems, particularly in the face of challenges like climate change and resource scarcity.

What is the significance of the 'Blue Marble' images mentioned in the text?

The 'Blue Marble' NASA composite images, showing the Earth from space in 2001 and 2002, are used to illustrate the context for achieving global sustainability, emphasizing that the Earth's ability to support human life depends on it.

What is the 'long view' that environmental historians sometimes take?

The 'long view' in environmental history can extend beyond human history to include the period before human presence on Earth, acknowledging the deep history of environmental change and processes.

How did the environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s influence the development of environmental history?

The environmental movement provided a significant impetus for environmental history, shifting the focus of historical inquiry towards human-environment interactions and raising awareness of contemporary environmental issues. It challenged previous historical narratives that often celebrated human dominance over nature.

What is the 'Annales School' and how did it contribute to environmental history?

The Annales School was a French historical movement that emphasized long-term social and economic history, including the influence of geography and environment on human societies. Figures like Lucien Febvre and Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie, associated with this school, significantly influenced the development of environmental history by focusing on the interplay between humans and their surroundings.

What is the 'Merton thesis' in the context of science and society?

While not explicitly detailed in the provided text regarding environmental history, the Merton thesis generally posits a connection between the rise of Puritanism and the scientific revolution in England. It's mentioned in a navbox related to science and technology historiography.

What is the 'Sonderweg' debate in German historiography?

The 'Sonderweg' (special path) debate in German historiography concerns whether Germany followed a unique historical trajectory that led to Nazism. This concept is mentioned in a navbox related to German historiography, indicating its relevance to understanding national historical narratives.

How does environmental history relate to the concept of 'sustainability'?

Environmental history is closely linked to sustainability, as it examines the historical circumstances that led to present-day environmental problems. By understanding past successes and failures in resource management, environmental history can inform efforts towards sustainable development and practices.

What is the significance of George Perkins Marsh's work in relation to environmental history?

George Perkins Marsh, in his 1864 work 'Man and Nature,' highlighted the long-term consequences of human environmental modification. He pointed out that changes made to the environment could reduce its future usefulness to humans, advocating for careful consideration of environmental impacts—a concept akin to 'enlightened self-interest' or sustainable use.

What is the 'Great Man theory' and how does it relate to historical analysis?

The 'Great Man theory' is a historical interpretation that emphasizes the role of influential individuals in shaping historical events. It is mentioned in a navbox as a contrast to broader social or environmental historical approaches, suggesting that history is driven by the actions of key figures.

What is 'historical ecology' and how does it relate to environmental history?

Historical ecology is a related discipline that studies the relationship between humans and their environments over time, often focusing on ecological processes and changes. It shares common ground with environmental history in examining long-term human-environment interactions.

What is the 'Historian's fallacy' or 'Presentism' in historical analysis?

The 'Historian's fallacy,' also known as 'presentism,' involves judging past actions or events based on present-day values and knowledge. In environmental history, this can manifest as criticizing past actors for not adhering to modern environmental standards, rather than understanding their actions within their historical context.

What role does 'advocacy' play in environmental history, and what are the associated concerns?

Environmental history can be seen as inherently advocative due to its origins in environmental movements and its focus on contemporary issues like sustainability and climate change. However, concerns exist that strong advocacy might compromise scholarly objectivity and professionalism, although proponents argue that historical work can and should inform policy-makers.

How does environmental history address the relationship between 'materialist' and 'cultural' explanations for human behavior?

Environmental history confronts the tension between materialist explanations (e.g., environmental constraints) and cultural explanations (e.g., beliefs, ideas) for human behavior. Some scholars argue that the field's emphasis on material factors can put it at odds with traditional humanities approaches that prioritize cultural interpretations.

What is the 'Great Game' in the context of historical analysis?

The 'Great Game' refers to the strategic rivalry and conflict between the British and Russian empires for influence in Central Asia during the 19th century. Its historiography is mentioned as a topic within military history, highlighting the study of geopolitical conflicts.

What is 'Big History' and how does it relate to environmental history?

Big History is a field of study that synthesizes history from the Big Bang to the present, integrating scientific and historical perspectives. It shares with environmental history an interest in long-term processes and the interconnectedness of natural and human systems across vast timescales.

What is 'conceptual history' (Begriffsgeschichte) in relation to historical study?

Conceptual history, or 'Begriffsgeschichte,' focuses on the evolution and meaning of key concepts over time. It is mentioned as a related field to environmental history, suggesting an interest in how ideas about nature, environment, and sustainability have changed historically.

What is the 'Merton thesis' in relation to science and society?

The Merton thesis, discussed in the context of science and technology historiography, suggests a link between the rise of Puritanism in England and the scientific revolution. It highlights how social and religious factors can influence scientific development.

What is the 'Annales School' and how did it influence environmental history?

The Annales School was a French historical approach that emphasized long-term social, economic, and environmental factors over political events. Its focus on 'total history' and the interplay between humans and their environment significantly influenced the development of environmental history as a field.

Environmental History Wiki: Chronicles of Earth's Embrace: An Environmental History

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

What is Environmental History?

Defining the Field

Environmental history is the scholarly examination of the dynamic interplay between human societies and the natural world across time. It emphasizes the reciprocal influence: how environmental factors have shaped human affairs and, conversely, how human actions have transformed the Earth's land, water, atmosphere, and biosphere.

Origins and Evolution

Emerging from the environmental movements of the 1960s and 1970s in the United States, the field initially focused on conservation issues. It has since broadened significantly, integrating insights from various disciplines to encompass a more comprehensive understanding of human-environment interactions, including the impact of technology, consumption patterns, and evolving human attitudes towards nature.

Multidisciplinary Scope

This field is inherently multidisciplinary, drawing extensively from both the humanities and the natural sciences. Environmental historians utilize methodologies and knowledge from fields such as ecology, geography, sociology, economics, and the history of science and technology to construct nuanced narratives of the past.

Origins and Early Works

Foundational Scholarship

Key early contributions that shaped the discipline include Roderick Nash's 1967 work, Wilderness and the American Mind, and Samuel P. Hays's 1959 study, Conservation and the Gospel of Efficiency. Alfred W. Crosby's 1972 book, The Columbian Exchange, is also recognized as a seminal text, highlighting the biological consequences of global encounters.^[4]^[6]^[7]

Academic Establishment

The term "environmental history" gained traction in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The field's development was significantly influenced by the Annales School of French historiography, which emphasized long-term societal and environmental factors over political events. Scholars like Donald Worster and J. Donald Hughes further defined and advanced the discipline through their influential works and definitions.^[1]^[2]

Historiography: Tracing the Field

Key Figures and Debates

The historiography of environmental history involves examining its intellectual lineage and ongoing scholarly debates. Prominent figures like J.R. McNeill, Richard White, and J. Donald Hughes have contributed overviews of the field's development, its methodologies, and its relationship with other historical and scientific disciplines.^[8]^[9]^[10]

Evolving Perspectives

Environmental history has evolved from an initial focus on conservation to encompass broader themes of human impact, resource use, and cultural attitudes towards nature. It grapples with questions of presentism, culpability, and the balance between scholarly objectivity and environmental advocacy.^[60]

Core Concepts and Dimensions

Subject Matter

The subject matter is broadly categorized into three interconnected areas: 1) The physical environment itself and its changes over time, including human impacts on land, water, and atmosphere; 2) Human utilization of nature, encompassing population growth, technological advancements, and consumption patterns; and 3) Human perceptions of nature, including attitudes, beliefs, values, myths, religions, and scientific understanding.^[12]

Dimensions of Study

J. Donald Hughes proposed viewing environmental history through three dimensions: the relationship between nature and culture, the integration of history and science, and the analysis of scale (from local to global). These dimensions provide a framework for understanding the complexity of human-environment interactions.^[22]

Key Themes

Recurring themes include the Neolithic Revolution, colonial expansion, the Industrial Revolution, urbanization, changes in agriculture, forestry, climate change, and the pursuit of sustainability. These themes illustrate the long-term transformations driven by human activity and environmental responses.^[51]

Methodology: An Interdisciplinary Toolkit

Bridging Disciplines

Environmental history requires a robust methodological toolkit that integrates insights from diverse fields. Proficiency in natural sciences, particularly ecology, is essential, alongside historical research methods. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive analysis of complex environmental phenomena.^[70]

Scholarly Rigor and Advocacy

The field navigates the tension between rigorous historical scholarship and the potential for environmental advocacy. While aiming for objectivity, environmental historians often find their work informing contemporary policy debates, raising questions about the role of the historian in addressing present-day environmental challenges.^[55]

Seminal Works and Regional Studies

Foundational Texts

Seminal works like Roderick Nash's Wilderness and the American Mind, Alfred Crosby's The Columbian Exchange, and Donald Worster's Nature's Economy provide foundational frameworks and methodologies. These texts explore key concepts such as the transformation of landscapes and the evolution of human attitudes toward nature.^[5]^[7]^[18]

Global and Regional Narratives

The discipline encompasses a vast body of literature, including global syntheses and detailed regional studies. Works focusing on specific areas like the British Empire, North America, Asia, and Europe offer in-depth analyses of localized environmental histories and their broader implications.^[41]

Contemporary Issues and Future Directions

Critical Challenges

Environmental history critically examines contemporary sustainability challenges, including population growth, consumerism, climate change, deforestation, species extinction, resource depletion, and the consequences of industrial agriculture and technology. These issues highlight the urgent need for historical perspective.^[51]

The Imperative of Sustainability

The pursuit of sustainability is a central theme, emphasizing the long-term consequences of resource use and the need for foresight. Historical analysis reveals patterns of environmental degradation and offers insights into past attempts at conservation and sustainable development.^[52]

Advocacy and Policy

Environmental historians often engage with policy-making, seeking to inform decisions through historical context. The field acknowledges the potential for advocacy to influence public discourse and policy, while striving to maintain scholarly integrity.^[55]

The Future of Environmental History

Informing Tomorrow

By illuminating the historical roots of current environmental crises, environmental history provides essential context for navigating the future. It offers lessons from past successes and failures, guiding efforts towards more sustainable and equitable human-environment relationships.^[76]

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The field's future lies in continued interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of diverse perspectives. As global environmental challenges intensify, environmental history remains vital for understanding the complex forces shaping our planet and our societies.^[75]

Connections to Related Disciplines

Bridging Knowledge

Environmental history serves as a bridge between the humanities and natural sciences. It draws upon and contributes to fields such as historical geography, the history of science and technology, ecology, historical ecology, forestry, archaeology, anthropology, and economics.^[70]

Environmentalism and Beyond

Its engagement with environmentalism, conservation, and sustainability links it directly to contemporary social movements and policy discussions. The field also finds common ground with ecological and environmental economics, offering historical context for resource management and development.^[48]

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Environmental History" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about environmental_history while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

rough breathing

sonoma california

maithili language

palace of the republic berlin

muhammad iqbal

leonard william king

william murdoch bishop

russell vought

Španie pole

pricing

References

Madhav Gadgil and Ramachandra Guha, This fissured land: an ecological history of India (1993).

Martinez-Alier & Schandl 2002, pp. 175â176.

Will Sarvis, Embracing Philanthropic Environmentalism: the Grand Responsibility of Stewardship (Jefferson, NC: McFarland Pubs., 2019), 50-54.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Environmental history Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional historical, environmental, or academic consultation. Always refer to primary sources and consult with qualified professionals for specific research needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Chronicles of Earth's Embrace

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

What is Environmental History? ℹ️

🌍 Defining the Field

🌱 Origins and Evolution

📚 Multidisciplinary Scope

Origins and Early Works ⏳

📜 Foundational Scholarship

💡 Academic Establishment

Historiography: Tracing the Field 🧐

🗺️ Key Figures and Debates

🔄 Evolving Perspectives

Core Concepts and Dimensions 🧩

🌳 Subject Matter

↔️ Dimensions of Study

⏳ Key Themes

Methodology: An Interdisciplinary Toolkit 🔬

🛠️ Bridging Disciplines

⚖️ Scholarly Rigor and Advocacy

Seminal Works and Regional Studies 📖

🏛️ Foundational Texts

🌍 Global and Regional Narratives

Contemporary Issues and Future Directions 💡

⚠️ Critical Challenges

📈 The Imperative of Sustainability

⚖️ Advocacy and Policy

The Future of Environmental History 🔮

🚀 Informing Tomorrow

🤝 Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Connections to Related Disciplines 🔗

🔬 Bridging Knowledge

🌱 Environmentalism and Beyond

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is Environmental History?

Defining the Field

Origins and Evolution

Multidisciplinary Scope

Origins and Early Works

Foundational Scholarship

Academic Establishment

Historiography: Tracing the Field

Key Figures and Debates

Evolving Perspectives

Core Concepts and Dimensions

Subject Matter

Dimensions of Study

Key Themes

Methodology: An Interdisciplinary Toolkit

Bridging Disciplines

Scholarly Rigor and Advocacy

Seminal Works and Regional Studies

Foundational Texts

Global and Regional Narratives

Contemporary Issues and Future Directions

Critical Challenges

The Imperative of Sustainability

Advocacy and Policy

The Future of Environmental History

Informing Tomorrow

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Connections to Related Disciplines

Bridging Knowledge

Environmentalism and Beyond

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice