历史学与环境问题研究

在环境问题的研究中,历史学有着怎样的价值?这是关系到历史学研究环境问题之合法性的问题。回答这个问题的关键,在于环境问题本身的特点与历史研究的一致性上。环境问题关乎自然,但实质上却是一个社会历史问题,它具有累积突发、性质复杂、责任具体、影响持久、治理艰难等特点,这些都可纳入历史学的研究视野。在以往的环境问题研究中,历史学已经显露出自己的特色,那就是关注多重社会因素间的联系,挖掘深层次的文化根源,细腻而生动地描述事件原委,旗帜鲜明地宣扬价值取向,为现实的环境治理提供借鉴。历史学在政府环境决策和大众环境教育中具有重要意义。

History Study and Environmental Problems

What is the value of history study in the research of environmental problems?This is an issue concerning the legitimate status of the discipline for environment.The key lies in the unity between the characteristics of environmental problems and the relevant history research.Environmental problem has certainly something to do with the nature,but is es- sentially a social historic problem.It has such characteristics as breaking out abruptly through accumulation,complicated na- ture,concrete duty,lasting influence,difficulty in control,all of which could be brought into the concern of history.In fact,history has demonstrated its own uniqueness in the research on environmental problems in the past,for instance,its at- tention to the relationship among multiple social factors relating to environmental problems,their deep cultural reasons,deli- cate and detailed narration of an event history,and unequivocal advocacy for the value orientation,ones that have provided reference for real environmental control.Therefore,history study has great significance in government environment policy- making and in public environmental education.