Week 2: Part 5 - Article: Lowenthal, David - Environmental History from Genesis to Apocalypse Flashcards
How does Lowenthal link environmental history to human identity?
He argues that the way societies interact with the environment is deeply connected to cultural identity, reflecting values, ethics, and technological capabilities.
In what way does Lowenthal suggest that apocalyptic visions affect environmental action?
Apocalyptic fears can both motivate urgent environmental action or lead to fatalism and inaction, depending on how individuals and societies interpret these narratives.
Define the key term: Dominion
The biblical idea that humans have control over nature.
Define the key term: Apocalypse
Symbolic of fears of ecological disaster and the end of civilization.
Define the key term: Industrial Revolution
A period of rapid industrialization that transformed environments and sparked modern environmentalism.
Define the key term: Romanticization:
The idealization of pre-industrial times, often leading to unrealistic views of past human-environment interactions.
Why is balancing hope and fear important in environmental action?
Balancing hope and fear is essential to ensure that fear of environmental disaster leads to positive action rather than inaction, fostering both effective policies and individual efforts to protect the environment.
How can apocalyptic fears lead to inaction in environmental efforts?
Apocalyptic fears can result in fatalism, where people feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental challenges, leading to despair and a sense of powerlessness that discourages action.
What is one positive role that apocalyptic fears can play in environmental action?
Apocalyptic fears can motivate urgent action to address environmental crises like climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. These fears push individuals and policymakers to act swiftly to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
What is fatalism in the context of environmental action?
Fatalism is the belief that events are inevitable and beyond human control, leading to a sense of powerlessness.
In environmental action, it refers to the feeling that the problems are too large to solve, causing individuals or societies to give up on making meaningful efforts to prevent ecological collapse.
