环境史研究的理论与实践

Environmental History Study: Theory and Practice

环境史借鉴生态学等理念与方法,从历史的语境和生活环境来考察人与自然之间的互动和历史联系,其中自然与历史互为理解条件。环境史对于历史学变革的意义突出地表现在:显著地拓展了历史的内容与表现形式;完善、深化了历史解释,在历史发展的评判之中增加了生态考量;历史研究在以往思辨性、分析性的基础上,因环境史而部分地具有了实验性、科学性。为推动环境史研究取得长足进步,开拓中国的环境史研究之路,当前以下几个方面可能值得考虑:一是从呼唤环境史重要,到以研究成果来体现其重要;二是从人与自然的冲突史,回归到人与自然的关系史;三是从呼吁跨学科研究,到落实跨学科实践;四是从向国外学习,到发挥本土的学术优势与自主性。

Drawing on concepts and methods from ecology and other disciplines,Environmental History examines the interaction and historical relationship between man and nature in historical context and living environments,in which nature and history are the conditions for mutual understanding. The significance of environmental history to the transformation of historical studies is most obvious in greatly broadening the contents and forms of history,deepening and perfecting the interpretation of history,taking ecology into account in the evaluation of historical development and partly giving experimental and scientific dimensions to the critical and analytical character of historical studies. To ensure great progress in environmental history research and blaze a trail for research in China, we may have to take the following into consideration at present: first,demonstrate the importance of Environmental History with research achievements instead of merely calling for recognition of the importance of the discipline;second,return to the history of interaction between man and nature from the history of conflicts;third,carry out interdisciplinary studies instead of merely paying lip service to it;fourth,bring into full play domestic advantages and initiatives in addition to learning from overseas studies.