The Ends of the Earth
Perspectives on Modern Environmental History

A unifying discussion of our increasingly integrated global economy, higher population levels and greater resource demands.

Donald Worster (Edited by)

9780521343657, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 January 1989

352 pages
23.4 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.642 kg

"...offers a diverse state-of-the-art introduction to environmental history. Donald Worster engages the reader with two strong and graceful essays. Not least, the book concludes with an important bibliography covering English titles in modern environmental history." John Opie, ISIS

Since 1492, when Columbus 'discovered' America, the world has been moving toward an increasingly integrated global economy, higher population levels and consequently greater resource demands, and an increasingly precarious state of the biosphere. These developments play a major part in both modern history and in daily life. Understanding their interrelationships and development is crucial to the future of humanity and of the Earth, and is the unifying theme of this collection of readings.

Preface
Part I. Introduction: 1. The vulnerable Earth: toward a planetary history Donald Worster
Part II. Dynamics of Change: 2. Environment, population, and technology in primitive societies Ester Boserup
3. Climatic fluctuations and population problems in early modern history Gustaf Utterström
4. The English industrial revolution Richard G. Wilkinson
Part III. The European Invasion: 5. Ecological imperialism: the overseas migration of Western Europeans as a biological phenomenon Alfred W. Crosby
6. The depletion of India's forests under British imperialism: planters, foresters, and peasants in Assam and Kerala Richard P. Tucker
7. Toward an archaeology of colonialism: elements in the ecological transformation of the Ivory Coast Timothy C. Weiskel
Part IV. Conserving Nature - Past and Present: 8. The myth of the southern soil miner: macrohistory, agricultural innovation, and environmental change Carville Earle
9. Toward an interactive theory of nature and culture: ecology, production, and cognition in the California fishing industry Arthur F. McEvoy
10. Efficiency, equity, esthetics: shifting themes in American cconservation Clayton R. Koppes
11. The changing face of soviet conservation Douglas R. Weiner
Part V. Conclusion: 12. Toward a biosphere consciousness Raymond F. Dasmann
Appendix
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Applied ecology [RNC]