The Environment in World History

Stephen Mosley

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9781138301580
• eBook ISBN: 9781000991444
• Edition: 2
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: World History
• Index: 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.

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.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• List of tables
• Acknowledgements
• 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?
• Index