This series delves into the intricate and varied relationships between humanity and natural environments. The books investigate how natural systems affect human communities and, conversely, how people shape the environments they are part of. It illuminates how diverse cultural conceptions of nature profoundly influence our perception of the world and our place within it.
By exploring the delta as a quagmire in both natural and political terms, Biggs shows how engineered transformations of the Mekong Delta landscape- channelized rivers, a complex canal system, hydropower development, deforestation-have interacted with equally complex transformations in the geopolitics of the region.
In two centuries of non-stop hydraulic tinkering the Rhine River has been modified more than any other large river in the world. This title examines the environmental history of the Rhine from its headwaters in the Swiss Alps to its delta in the Netherlands. It looks at the great river engineering projects of the 19th and 20th centuries, and assesses the impact of the coal, steel and chemical industries on its banks.
Demonstrates that the movement to protect wilderness areas reflected a belief that the modern forces of capitalism were eroding the ecology of North America, and American values
Coll Thrush explores the historical experiences of Indigenous travelers in London during the height of the British Empire. His work delves into the complexities of identity and cultural exchange, revealing how Native individuals navigated and influenced a city often seen as the center of colonial power. Through rich narratives and historical analysis, Thrush sheds light on the overlooked contributions of Indigenous peoples to the urban landscape of London.
The author, an associate professor of environmental studies, explores the complexities surrounding old-growth forests in the Inland West. Through her examination, she delves into the paradoxes that arise from conservation efforts and the ecological significance of these ancient ecosystems. Her insights highlight the interplay between human impact and natural preservation, making a compelling case for understanding the delicate balance of forest management and environmental sustainability.
Examining the dynamics of industry, recreation, and environment; Chiang explores the social history of Monterey's development from a seaside resort to a working-class fishing town and, finally, to a tourist attraction again
George Perkins Marsh (1801-1882) was the first to reveal the menace of environmental misuse, to explain its causes, and to prescribe reforms. This book offers insights, from sources, into Marsh's career and shows his relevance. schovat popis
In pre-modern Japan, wolves were worshipped as sacred; with the spread of rabies in the 18th century, they became feared and hunted; by 1905 wolves had disappeared from the country. This book examines how and why wolves became extinct in Japan, and the changing attitudes toward nature that are implied.
"Landscapes of Promise" is the first comprehensive environmental history of the early years of a state that has long been associated with environmental protection. Covering the period from early human habitation to the end of World War II, William Robbins shows that the reality of Oregon's environmental history involves far more than a discussion of timber-cutting and land-use planning. Robbins demonstrates that ecological change is not only a creation of modern industrial society. Native Americans altered their environment in a number of ways, including the planned annual burning of grasslands and light-burning of understory forest debris. Early Euro-American settlers who thought they were taming a virgin wilderness were merely imposing a new set of alterations on an already modified landscape. Beginning with the first eighteenth-century traders on the Pacific Coast, alterations to Oregon's landscape were closely linked to the interests of global market forces. Robbins uses period speeches and publications to document the increasing commodification of the landscape and its products.
