Member-only story

America's Turbulent Relationship With Nature: From Exploitation To Redemption

Ken Simmons

·12.6k Followers· Follow

Published in Wild At Heart: America S Turbulent Relationship With Nature From Exploitation To Redemption

5 min read · 3 weeks before

1.3k View Claps

72 Respond

Save

Listen

Wild at Heart: America's Turbulent Relationship with Nature, from Exploitation to Redemption

by Alice Outwater

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	31382 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	347 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

America's relationship with nature has been a complex and often tumultuous one. From the early days of European colonization, when the land was seen as a vast and inexhaustible resource, to the present day, when we are grappling with the consequences of climate change, our interactions with the natural world have shaped our history, our culture, and our very identity.

In his new book, America's Turbulent Relationship With Nature: From Exploitation To Redemption, environmental historian John L. Allen tells the story of this relationship, offering a fresh and nuanced perspective on one of the most important issues facing our country today.

Allen begins by exploring the early years of European colonization, when the land was seen as a vast and inexhaustible resource. The colonists cleared forests, plowed prairies, and dammed rivers, all in the name of progress. But this exploitation of the natural world came at a great cost. Deforestation led to soil erosion and flooding, while the damming of rivers disrupted fish migration and destroyed wetlands.

As the country expanded westward, the relationship between Americans and nature continued to evolve. In the 19th century, the Romantic movement led to a new appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. But this appreciation was often accompanied by a sense of entitlement. Americans believed that they had a right to exploit the land, regardless of the consequences.

The 20th century saw a growing awareness of the environmental damage that was being caused by human activity. The conservation movement began to gain momentum, and in 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated. But despite these efforts, the relationship between Americans and nature remained strained.

Today, we are facing the consequences of centuries of environmental degradation. Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, storms to become more intense, and droughts to become more frequent. The pollution of our air and water is harming our health and our ecosystems. And the loss of biodiversity is threatening the stability of our planet.

In America's Turbulent Relationship With Nature: From Exploitation To Redemption, John L. Allen offers a way forward. He argues that we need to develop a new relationship with nature, one that is based on respect and reciprocity. We need to learn to live within the limits of the planet, and we need to find ways to restore the damage that we have done.

Allen's book is a timely and important contribution to the ongoing discussion about our relationship with nature. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the future of our planet.

Praise for America's Turbulent Relationship With Nature: From Exploitation To Redemption

"John L. Allen has written a masterful account of America's relationship with nature. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the challenges facing our country today."—Bill McKibben, author of Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet

"Allen's book is a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting our natural heritage. It is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our planet."—Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute

"America's Turbulent Relationship With Nature is a timely and important book. Allen offers a fresh and nuanced perspective on one of the most critical issues facing our country today."—Robert F. Kennedy Jr., president of Waterkeeper Alliance

Wild at Heart: America's Turbulent Relationship with Nature, from Exploitation to Redemption

by Alice Outwater

4.6 out of 5