@article{ART003381638},
author={Ko, Tae-woo},
title={Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future},
journal={Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University},
issn={1598-3021},
year={2026},
volume={83},
number={3},
pages={61-95}
TY - JOUR
AU - Ko, Tae-woo
TI - Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future
JO - Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University
PY - 2026
VL - 83
IS - 3
PB - Institute of Humanities, Seoul National University
SP - 61
EP - 95
SN - 1598-3021
AB - Modern civilization, founded on capitalism, fossil-fuel energy systems, and mass production and consumption, has exceeded planetary boundaries and reached its own limits. This crisis is not merely an environmental problem; it calls for a fundamental reconsideration of the relationship between humans and nature, modern conceptions of development and freedom, and the existing structure of academic disciplines. What is therefore needed is a “humanities for transformation” that considers not only humans but also nonhuman beings and the Earth system, and that contributes to the transition toward an ecological civilization. Ecological and environmental history is a form of engaged and practice-oriented historical scholarship that can participate in this transfor mation. Its research may proceed in three principal directions. First, it should clarify the historical pathways and structures of responsibility that have produced the present crisis by examining climatic change and societal responses, the fossil-fuel energy regime and the Great Acceleration, and 고태우 체제 전환의 인문학으로서 생태환경사 95 the unequal distribution of environmental pollution and harm. Second, it should bring more-than-human beings into historical analysis as historical agents, thereby demonstrating that planetary history has been shaped not by humans alone but through interactions among diverse forms of life and material entities. Third, it can use historical cases to relativize the present system and explore the possibilities of commons-based practices , a circular economy, and a decarbonized society. Education in Ecological and environmental history can strengthen the capacities of ecological citizens by fostering historical literacy through which students understand climate and ecological crises historically and analyze social conflict, power relations, and resilience. It should also cultivate a multispecies sensibility that recognizes the agency of nonhuman beings and should combine the natural sciences, social sciences, literature, and the arts in ways that enhance ecological awareness. Furthermore, while developing an awareness of catastrophe, such education can simultaneously present the possibilities of response and recovery among both human and nonhuman beings. By considering multiple future scenarios, it can provide opportunities to reflect on how present choices may transform the future. Eco-environmental history can thus expand beyond the explanation of the past into a humanities for transformation that helps design a future in which humans and more-than-human beings can dwell together.
KW - Humanities for Transformation;Ecological and Environmental History;Capitalism;More-than-Human Beings;Historical Literacy; Catastrophe;Ecological Citizenship;Ecological Civilization
DO -
UR -
ER -
Ko, Tae-woo. (2026). Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, 83(3), 61-95.
Ko, Tae-woo. 2026, "Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future", Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, vol.83, no.3 pp.61-95.
Ko, Tae-woo "Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 83.3 pp.61-95 (2026) : 61.
Ko, Tae-woo. Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future. 2026; 83(3), 61-95.
Ko, Tae-woo. "Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 83, no.3 (2026) : 61-95.
Ko, Tae-woo. Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, 83(3), 61-95.
Ko, Tae-woo. Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University. 2026; 83(3) 61-95.
Ko, Tae-woo. Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future. 2026; 83(3), 61-95.
Ko, Tae-woo. "Ecological and Environmental History as a Humanities for Transformation: Historicizing Crisis and Envisioning the Future" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 83, no.3 (2026) : 61-95.
