Soviet Union and Global Environmental Change - Modifying the Biosphere and Conceptualizing Society-Nature Interaction

This book argues that the Soviet Union was a highly influential actor in furthering understandings of society-nature interaction on the international stage and played a key role in helping to shape, conceptualize and assess the relationship between humankind and the Earth system. It considers how humankind's capacity to affect physical and biological systems at a global scale was acknowledged and studied by Soviet scientists, discusses how the interaction between Soviet and Western scientists stimulated the development of new technologies and insights, which simultaneously facilitated a more profound understanding of the Earth's physical and biological systems, and explores how Soviet scientists drew upon pre-revolutionary intellectual traditions in order to make sense of society-nature interaction and did so in collaboration with a range of international initiatives. Overall, the book provides a deep analysis of how Soviet scientists conceptualized society-nature interaction and influenced the understanding of global physical and biological systems. Furthermore, it is argued that this intellectual legacy remains of importance today with respect to the activities of Russian science and contemporary global environmental challenges.

List of contents

1. Introduction2. The Soviet Union and the Great Transformation of the Twentieth Century3. Conceptualising the Physical Environment and the Growing Influence of Humankind on Earth System4. Measuring and Assessing the Wider Environment5. Russia's Place in the Anthropocene 6. Conclusion

About the author

Jonathan D. Oldfield is Reader in Russian Environmental Studies in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, UK.

Summary

This book argues that the Soviet Union was a highly influential actor in furthering understandings of society-nature interaction on the international stage and played a key role in helping to shape, conceptualize and assess the relationship between humankind and the Earth system.

Product details

• Authors: Jonathan D. Oldfield
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 09.01.2023
• EAN: 9780367745929
• ISBN: 978-0-367-74592-9
• No. of pages: 142
• Series: Routledge Studies in the History of Russia and Eastern Europe
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); Non-fiction book > Nature, technology > Natural science; SCIENCE / Global Warming & Climate Change, SCIENCE / History, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Regional Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Research, History of Science, environmental science, engineering & technology, Regional Geography, Former Soviet Union, USSR (Europe), USSR, Soviet Union, Environmental science, engineering and technology, SCIENCE / Chemistry / Environmental, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Cultural & Ethnic Studies / General