The Environment in World History

Now in its second edition and refreshed by a decade of new research, The Environment in World History uncovers the deep-rooted causes of interconnected climate, biodiversity, and ecological crises that have brought the environment to the top of the global political agenda in the twenty-first century.

Autorentext

Stephen Mosley is Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Mobilities Research (CeMoRe), Lancaster University. He is the author of The Chimney of the World: A History of Smoke Pollution in Victorian and Edwardian Manchester, also published by Routledge.

Klappentext

Now in its second edition and refreshed by a decade of new research, The Environment in World History uncovers the deep-rooted causes of interconnected climate, biodiversity, and ecological crises that have brought the environment to the top of the global political agenda in the twenty-first century. Its expanded chapters and case studies explore a wide range of issues including the following: the hunting of wildlife and the loss of biodiversity across the globe; deforestation and the development of strategies to protect the world's forests; soil degradation caused by worldwide agricultural expansion, one of the most profound ways that humans have altered the planet; the widening impact of urban-industrial growth and the deepening ecological footprints of the world's cities; and the rising levels of air, land and water pollution as the trade-off for continued economic growth worldwide. Covering the last five hundred years, it offers an essential environmental perspective on well-known world history narratives of imperialism and colonialism, trade and commerce, technological progress and the advance of civilisation. Clearly written and fully up-to-date, it is an invaluable resource for all students of world history and environmental studies.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: environment and history 2. The world hunt 3. Forests and forestry 4. Soils and irrigation 5. Cities and the environment 6. Conclusion: beyond the limits?