Scorched Earth

More about the book

A global history of environmental warfare reveals how the environmental infrastructure sustaining human societies has long been a target in warfare, leading to famine, disease, and the displacement of populations. The narrative spans from the sixteenth to the twentieth century, arguing that the deliberate destruction of the environment—termed environcide—constitutes total war and is a crime against humanity and nature. The author illustrates how religious conflicts in Europe turned Holland into a desolate swamp plagued by hunger and the Black Death. He details how Spanish conquistadores exploited the irrigation systems and agricultural terraces of the Aztecs and Incas, resulting in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The book shows that environmental warfare has persisted into modern times, covering events from the Thirty Years' War to the colonial conquests of the early twentieth century. It highlights the connections between ecocide and genocide, advocating for the recognition of environmental warfare as a violation of human rights under international law. This sweeping history underscores the need for accountability regarding the environmental impacts of warfare and the importance of protecting the ecosystems that support human life.