Resource Devastation on Native American Lands: Toxic Earth, Poisoned People

Format: Hardback
Length: 227 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book delves into the pervasive yet largely unseen toxic legacy of Native North America, which has had a profound impact on the land and its inhabitants for generations. While many of these toxic sites are located in remote rural areas that have been largely forgotten by the mainstream American population, they played a crucial role in the industrial development of the country for over a century before being abandoned and left to decay. Thousands of contaminated sites exist across the United States, resulting from improper disposal or management of hazardous waste. These sites include manufacturing facilities, processing plants, landfills, and mining sites, which have released harmful toxins into the environment and posed significant risks to human health and the ecosystem.

According to the 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for cleaning up these so-called Superfund sites, which are located in approximately 40 percent of Native country. The book connects the present-day cultural and economic revival of Native American communities to a fundamental struggle to restore the health of both Native peoples and their homelands. It explores the deep connections between Native Americans and nature, as well as their sacred land, and how these perceptions shape their relationship with the environment. By providing a historical and contemporary perspective, the book offers valuable insights into the environmental devastation caused by colonialism and industrialization and its consequences for Native communities.

This book is a valuable resource for students, scholars, and researchers of Native American studies, US politics, environmental studies, public policy, and policy-makers who are interested in understanding the environmental challenges faced by Native land and its impact on society. It sheds light on the ongoing struggles of Native peoples to reclaim their land and protect their natural resources, and provides a model for sustainable development and environmental stewardship that can be applied to other communities. The book's comprehensive approach and rich analysis make it a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the complex and multifaceted issues surrounding Native North America and its toxic legacy.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031218958
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023