Usually, the birth of environmental histories is seen in the western context, but it is central to note that environmentalism provoked in other parts of the world as well. Pál has personal experience from the 1980s Hungary where kids were, according to him, “literally brainwashed to be environmentalists”.
Pál says that it is important to note that not all environment-related problems are only relevant in the 21st century. History as a perspective to sustainability discussions, which usually revolves around the present and the future, would give perspective to current issues. When taking the past into consideration in sustainability discussions important angles can be retrieved from experiences and systems that have existed before.
In the end, Pál notes that it is important to recognise that the current system is unique from a historical perspective and that history gives some solutions to consider regarding sustainability challenges.
Find out more from the video below!
Sustainability Research in Spotlight – new video series!
Sustainability Research in Spotlight video series aims at opening up what sustainability research can be about. Sustainability science is inter- and transdisciplinary field of research covering a variety of research topics, approaches, and theories. The new HELSUS video series gives a voice to sustainability scientists and different perspectives of sustainability. We start with eight videos in which HELSUS members introduce their valuable research. In the following weeks, we will introduce one researcher and research per week. We hope that these videos enlighten your autumn and give food for thought!