Title: Competition and community: the historic roots of environmental studies

Authors: Kimberly Reiter

Addresses: Stetson University, USA

Abstract: There is a perception of incompatibility among the various subdisciplines of environmental studies. This paper explores the evolution of environmental studies and the reasons behind the animosity among environmental scientists, philosophers, economists, politicians, and activists. Much of the competition arose from the extreme religious and social positions of the nineteenth century and the democratic progressivism of the twentieth century. The Second World War influenced scientists, philosophers, and politicians to consider environmental issues and approaches to those changes. While multiple environmental philosophies continue to compete, there is an encouraging increase in academic, governmental and privately funded programs in interdisciplinary environmental studies.

Keywords: environmental studies; environmental philosophies; interdisciplinary studies; environmental education.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.1999.053838

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 1999 Vol.1 No.1, pp.100 - 128

Published online: 13 May 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article