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The environmental histories of the Arctic and Antarctica are characterised by contrast and contradiction. These are places that have witnessed some of the worst environmental degradation in recent history. But they are also the locations of some of the most farsighted measures of environmental protection. They are places where people have sought to conquer nature through exploration and economic development, but in many ways they remain wild and untamed. They are the coldest places on Earth, yet have come to occupy an important role in the science and politics of global warming. Despite being located at opposite ends of the planet and being significantly different in many ways, Adrian Howkins argues that the environmental histories of the Arctic and Antarctica share much in common and have often been closely connected. This book also argues that the Polar Regions are strongly linked to the rest of the world, both through physical processes and through intellectual and political themes. As places of inherent contradiction, the Polar Regions have much to contribute to the way we think about environmental history and the environment more generally
The polar regions present a complex duality of environmental degradation and pioneering protection, serving as both sites of human ambition and enduring wildness. Adrian Howkins, drawing on extensive historical data and scientific research, argues that despite their geographical opposition, the environmental histories of the Arctic and Antarctica are deeply intertwined and share common themes. The book explores how these regions, perceived as remote and extreme, are in fact intrinsically linked to global processes, influencing and being influenced by global warming, intellectual discourse, and political agendas. Howkins posits that the inherent contradictions within the polar regions offer valuable insights into broader environmental concerns and historical perspectives.
Adrian Howkins's work is positioned as a significant contribution to the understanding of polar environmental history, highlighting the interconnectedness of these seemingly disparate regions. The book's comparative approach and its exploration of the dualities present in the Arctic and Antarctic environments are noted as key strengths. It is likely to be regarded as a comprehensive and insightful text for scholars and students of environmental history, geography, and global environmental politics.
Page Count:
251
Publication Date:
2016-01-01
ISBN-10:
0745670806
ISBN-13:
9780745670805
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