Presentation - Environment and sustainability: Contributions from Environmental History

Abstract

The current environmental situation has led to a reevaluation of the relationship between social and natural dynamics. Although there have been advances in disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, the complexity of the processes requires going beyond the established paradigm. Reflections and research from the social and human sciences question the concepts used to understand the interaction between natural and social dynamics, allowing for the addressing of environmental issues in specific contexts. The articles in the dossier critically analyze environmental transformations in Latin America, offering a historical perspective that helps understand the causes and consequences of environmental problems. These studies identify long-term patterns and trends in the relationship between Latin American society and its environment and provide lessons from the past to avoid mistakes and develop more effective strategies. Additionally, they recognize the importance of an interdisciplinary perspective and collaboration among disciplines to comprehensively address environmental problems. In conclusion, environmental history provides a broad temporal framework, identifies patterns and trends, offers lessons from the past, and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle contemporary environmental challenges.