April 20, 2022
Drew Hubbell, Susquehanna’s associate professor of English, published the textbook recently Introduction to the Environmental HumanitiesA new interdisciplinary field, utilizing the theories and methods from the humanities to address environmental problems facing our civilization.
That means that we all want a large house with a picket fencing, a pool and several cars. We also want 2.5 children and a dog. Hubbell, who heads Susquehannas environmental study program, said that this is what the West looks like. Then, we make choices individually and collectively to create the systems we desire.
Different humanities disciplines have studied the environment for a long time, starting in the 19th Century for philosophy and history, and continuing into the 20th century for literature and religion, arts and music. Introduction to the Environmental HumanitiesThis is a brief overview of the evolution.
Hubbell stated that scientists realized that environmental problems could not be solved by simply publishing more data. The arts and humanities are needed to provide a better vision of the life we want than the one sold to us by fossilized interests. They also help us understand why our current vision of the ideal life is dependent upon others living a poor life.
The text also covers recent debates on climate change, sustainability and energy policy, habitat degradation, as well as introducing students to seminal writings and campaigns, as well introducing them to movements that decode important terms like environmental justice, nature ecosystem, ecology, and many others. The text also includes emerging theoretical areas like critical animal and plant research, gender and queer study, Indigenous studies, and energy studies.
Hubbell stated that ecosystems do not decline because they are faulty ecosystems. Instead, they degrade because humans make wrong choices. Students can use the knowledge gained from this text to make improvements on their campuses, communities, and careers. Some might even dedicate themselves to changing the civilization at the right level to address global warming and ocean acidification, biodiversity loss and other self-interested groups resisting sensible change.
