Understanding Imperiled Earth: How Archaeology and Human History Inform a Sustainable Future
Author: by Todd J. Braje (Author)
Publisher: Smithsonian Books
Publication Date: 2024-03-05
Language: English
Print Length: 208 pages
ISBN-10: 1588347591
ISBN-13: 9781588347596
Book Description
A unique introduction to how understanding archaeology can support modern-day sustainability efforts, from restoring forested land to developing fire management strategies
An essential and hopeful book for climate-conscious readers
The world faces an uncertain future with the rise of climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, overfishing, and other threats.
Understanding Imperiled Earth meets this uncertainty head-on, presenting archaeology and history as critical guides to addressing the modern environmental crisis.Anthropologist Todd J. Braje draws connections between deep history and today's hot-button environmental news stories to reveal how the study of the ancient past can help build a more sustainable future. The book covers a diverse array of interconnected issues, including:
- how modern humans have altered the natural world
- conservation work of Indigenous communities
- extinction of megafauna like dire wolves and woolly rhinoceros
- the risk of deforestation highlighted by Notre Dame's destruction
- the extinction crisis reflected by endangered bird species in Hawai'i
- fish scarcity driving demand and price, like the single blue-fin tuna fish that sold for three million dollars
- importance of "action archaeology"
Braje examines how historical roots offer a necessary baseline for a healthier Earth, because understanding how the planet used to be is fundamental to creating effective restoration efforts moving forward through urban forests, sustainable food webs, and more. Understanding Imperiled Earth offers an illuminating, hopeful, and actionable approach to some of the world's most urgent problems.
Review
“
Understanding Imperiled Earth is an important book written to persuade the general reader that historical perspectives matter— that history can help us find solutions to our current environmental crises. To make his case, Braje provides an overview of historical ecology and its links to science and the humanities, then he goes deeper with several broadly appealing examples: the trees of Notre-Dame, Hawaiian birds, and tuna fi sheries. Although Braje honestly lays out the challenges we face, this is not a book of doom and gloom. The clear takeaway is this: archaeology and history provide essential context for our current environmental dilemmas, which can guide policy and practices in productive ways. Braje implores readers to set aside the handwringing. He pushes us to roll up our sleeves and get to work—particularly drawing on insights from the past.” —Virginia Butler, archaeologist and professor at Portland State University
About the Author
未经允许不得转载：电子书百科大全 » Understanding Imperiled Earth: How Archaeology and Human History Inform a Sustainable Future
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