Sustaining Natures: An Environmental Anthropology Reader

Environmental anthropology is at its best when grounded in ethnographic research and writing that highlights uncommon perspectives on widely recognized issues. Sustaining Natures is a timely reader that showcases the best contemporary writing on nature and sustainability, with concise introductions and sample discussion questions. It foregrounds diverse voices, views, and experiences of nature, from US corporate boardrooms to urban waste disposal sites in China, and moves environmental anthropology in new theoretical, methodological, and applied terrains.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 25 July 2023
Publisher: University of Washington Press

Environmental anthropology thrives when it is firmly rooted in respectful and systematic ethnographic research and writing that highlights uncommon perspectives on widely recognized issues confronting the world. Purposefully designed for undergraduate course use in anthropology, geography, and environmental studies, Sustaining Natures showcases the finest contemporary writing on nature and sustainability. The editors provide concise introductions and sample discussion questions to guide readers through some of the field's most pressing themes and debates, including farming, alternative energy, extractive industries, environmental justice, multispecies relationships, and urban ecology. This timely reader forefronts diverse voices, views, and experiences of nature, from US corporate boardrooms to urban waste disposal sites in China, and pioneers new theoretical, methodological, and applied terrains in environmental anthropology.

Environmental anthropology is a field that explores the relationship between humans and the environment. It is rooted in the belief that humans are part of the natural world and that our actions have consequences for the environment. Environmental anthropology seeks to understand how humans interact with the environment, how we perceive it, and how we make decisions about it.

One of the key aspects of environmental anthropology is ethnography. Ethnography is a research method that involves immersing oneself in a particular culture or community and observing and documenting their practices and beliefs. This method allows researchers to gain a deep understanding of the environment and the people who inhabit it.

Ethnographic research can take many forms, including fieldwork, interviews, and participant observation. Fieldwork involves spending time in a particular environment and observing the people who live there. Interviews can be used to gather information about people's beliefs, practices, and experiences. Participant observation involves observing and participating in the activities of a particular group or community.

Ethnographic research can be used to study a wide range of topics, including agriculture, energy, extractive industries, environmental justice, and urban ecology. For example, researchers may study how farmers in a particular region use natural resources to produce food, how energy is produced and distributed, how extractive industries impact local communities, or how environmental justice is distributed in a particular region.

Environmental anthropology also draws on other fields, such as sociology, economics, and ecology, to gain a broader understanding of environmental issues. For example, sociologists may study how social structures and power relations impact environmental decision-making, while economists may study how economic development and globalization impact the environment. Ecologists may study how ecosystems function and how they are affected by human activities.

One of the key challenges of environmental anthropology is the need to balance the interests of different stakeholders. Environmental issues often involve competing interests, such as the interests of farmers, businesses, and environmentalists. Environmental anthropologists must work to find solutions that are fair and sustainable for all stakeholders.

Another challenge is the impact of climate change on the environment and human societies. Climate change is a global issue that has significant impacts on the environment and human societies. Environmental anthropologists must work to understand the causes.

Environmental anthropology is a field that is constantly evolving and adapting to new challenges. As the world changes, so does the field of environmental anthropology. Researchers must stay up-to-date with the latest research and technologies to better understand the environment and the people who inhabit it.

In conclusion, environmental anthropology is a field that is essential for understanding the relationship between humans and the environment. It is rooted in the belief that humans are part of the natural world and that our actions have consequences for the environment. Ethnographic research is a key method that allows researchers to gain a deep understanding of the environment and the people who inhabit it. Environmental anthropology draws on other fields to gain a broader understanding of environmental issues and must balance the interests of different stakeholders to find sustainable solutions. As the world changes, so does the field of environmental anthropology, and researchers must stay up-to-date with the latest research and technologies to better understand the environment and the people who inhabit it.

Weight: 646g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295751450