Historicizing Hazard: An Interdisciplinary Workshop on Environmental Learning, Ignorance, and Fear

DESCRIPTION: This project sought historical perspectives on current debates regarding the tendencies of the public to over- or underestimate environmental risk: the dual problems of “apathy” or “anxiety” in the face of environmental change. The workshop featured presentations in the history of modern and pre-modern science, environmental history, sociology, and anthropology.

OUTCOMES: A participant discussion of the history of environmental knowledge among diverse publics; considering changing practices of environmental management, the variety of frameworks available for conceptualizing the relationship of self and society to the environment and to environmental learning, and providing historical data for future scientists. Only by studying the interactions of societies and environments over the long term can insights be gained into the nature and significance of “black swan” events. Ultimately, these activities would bridge scholarship in the fields of history of science and environmental history and sociological studies of risk construction, perception, and communication.

HISTORICIZING HAZARD AN INTERDISCIPLINARY WORKSHOP ON ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING, IGNORANCE & FEAR