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With an environmental awareness not available to their European-based
superiors, colonial officials were often deeply concerned by deforestation, soil
loss, salination and climate change—and frequently advocated solutions
based on local knowledge. Charting the historical development of such
environmental knowledge, this populist, fact-stuffed book lays to rest notions
that colonial administration of natural resources was universally rapacious.
With many lessons for current governments,Ecology, Climate and Empire:
Colonialism and Global Environmental History 1400-1940 by Richard Groves,
deserves widespread readership and recognition. Published by White Horse Press,
£14.95, ISBN 1874267197.