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Environmental Anthropology

From Pigs to Policies, Second Edition

Patricia K. Townsend

Environmental anthropologists organize the realities of interdependent lands, plants, animals, and human beings; advocate for the neediest among them; and provide understandings that preserve what is needed for the survival of a diverse world. Can the things that anthropologists have learned in their studies of small-scale systems have any relevance for developing policies to address global problems? Townsend explores this dilemma in her captivating, concise exploration of environmental anthropology and its place among the discipline’s subfields.

Maintaining the structure and clarity of the previous edition, the second edition has been revised throughout to include new research, expanded discussions of climate change, and a chapter devoted to spiritual ecology. In the historical overview of the field, Townsend shows how ideas and approaches developed earlier are relevant to understanding how today’s local populations adapt to their physical and biological environments. She next presents a closer look at global environmental issues—rapid expansion of the world economic system, disease and poverty, the loss of biodiversity and its implications for human health—to demonstrate the effects of interactions between local and global communities. As a capstone, she gives thoughtful consideration to how, as professionals and as individuals, we can move toward personal engagement with environmental problems.

$13.95 list, 119 pages

10-digit ISBN: 1-57766-581-3

13-digit ISBN: 978-1-57766-581-6

© 2009

“This, in my view, is the best text for instructors to use in an introductory course in human ecology or ecological anthropology. Just 118 pages, it is easy to read, yet covers the history of the subject all the way from Julian Steward to the influence of Roy Rappaport and his pigs to, most important for the new century, current climate change, globalization, and spiritual ecology. Students will appreciate the price. This is one of those rare books that will influence students for the rest of their lives.”  — Thomas N. Headland, Summer Institute of Linguistics

“I was highly impressed. I have read 6–8 books preparing for and seeking a text for my cultural ecology class and found little that was at once engaging, informative, and accessible. This is that book—concise, compelling, and straightforward.”  — Susan Barclay, Seattle Central Community College

“This splendid book should be most welcome as an effective and efficient introduction to one of the important areas of specialization in anthropology.”  — Jim Weil, Hamline University and the Science Museum of Minnesota

“This brief introduction to anthropological research on human environmental relations, with slightly over 100 pages and many photographs, gives the coverage needed for an ecological unit in a beginning anthropology course, or for introductory reading in the first week or two in a course focused on ecological anthropology (presumably followed by longer case studies, etc.). It would also be an excellent choice for introducing the anthropological approach in an environmental studies course or curriculum and can be strongly recommended for that purpose. The choice of case studies is noteworthy. Townsend draws on a wide selection of the best and most recent research projects to illustrate the points made in each chapter. The recent focus of ecological anthropology on political questions is well reflected. The short and highly selective bibliography will send students interested in seriously following up themes in the book to do further searching. Highly recommended.” —Choice

“Brevity and clarity are among Patricia Townsend’s virtues in writing Environmental Anthropology: From Pigs to Policies. This field is rapidly expanding and has a rich history. Yet, with considerable skill, she is able to succinctly explicate the subject’s essence and promise.” —American Anthropologist

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

The Field of Anthropology / Organization of This Book

2. Julian Steward’s Cultural Ecology

A Short History of Environmental Anthropology / The Cultural Ecology of Julian Steward / Evolution in Cultural Anthropology / Cultural Ecology and the Last Northern Cod

3. Ethnoecology

The Study of Traditional Environmental Knowledge / Nature and Culture: A Universal Dichotomy?

4. Pigs for the Ancestors

A New Guinea Ecosystem / Critiques of Rappaport's Work / The Ecosystem Concept in Anthropology

5. Amazonian Hunters

Amazonian Game Animals / Managing the Forest / The Evolution of Social Complexity within Amazonia

6. Complex Societies

The Ecology of States / Indonesian Agriculture / Villages in the Alps

7. The Underground Environment: Minerals

The Ok Tedi Mine, Papua New Guinea / Impact of the Mine on the Landowners / Downstream Impact of the Ok Tedi Mine / Indigenous People and Environmental Human Rights

8. The Climate Is Changing

Rising Oceans, Disaster-Displaced People / Hazard and Risk / Coping with Drought / Assessing Risk

9. Holy Ground

James Bay Cree Hunters / Ecotheology / The Ganges River: Raw Sewage or Spiritual Power / Environmental Justice in the United States

10. Population

Population and Environment in the Maya Lowlands / The Anthropology of Demography / Development without Growth in Kerala, India / Population Growth and Environmental Degradation in Honduras

11. Biodiversity and Health

Threats to Biodiversity / Medicinal Plants / Emerging Diseases

12. It Isn’t Easy Being Green

The Indonesian Forest Fires of 1997–1998 / Animal Rights in the North / Environmental Movements / Parks and People / The Question of the Commons

12. Consumer Cultures

Ecological Footprint Analysis / European and American Consumers

Glossary