The volume investigates the complex interplay of sustainability challenges and human history across Afro-Eurasia, the planet's largest landmass. It examines the region where humanity originated and first impacted the natural world, from Portugal to the Cape of Good Hope. The work integrates historical human expansion and current pressures to address ecosystem damage, drawing on interdisciplinary expertise. It covers environmental histories, business, commerce, migration, education, law, government, and diverse populations, featuring specific locations like Lake Victoria, Lake Baikal, and the Danube River, as well as cities from Moscow to Cape Town.

As part of the Berkshire Encyclopedia of Sustainability series, this volume is designed to provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary coverage of critical environmental issues. The collection aims to weave sustainability into core curricular subjects, making complex topics accessible to scholars and students alike. Its focus on a specific, vast geographic region allows for detailed examination of historical and contemporary challenges. The interdisciplinary approach ensures a holistic understanding of sustainability, integrating environmental science with social, economic, and political factors.