Introduction

Stenning, A and Walton, S (2017) 'Introduction.' Green Letters: Studies in Ecocriticism, 21 (1). iii-x.

Preview

Text 9626.pdf - Accepted Version Repository Terms Apply. Download (659kB) | Preview

Abstract

Since the First World War, industrial warfare has harnessed the power of ‘nature’ to create ever-more efficient means of destroying human life through its use of chemical, biological and nuclear technology. At the same time, it has developed the potential to cause what has been termed ‘ecocide’, examples of which include the long-term impact of high-density herbicides in Vietnam, and the Kuwaiti oil fires. As in other areas of modern life, in warfare nature has been understood as: ‘either logistical problems to be overcome and defeated or opportunities to be exploited.’ Conflict in resource-deprived nations can lead to the mass-movement of refugees into environments that may not be able to support them. And yet, it was an investigation by the US military – in an attempt to control the environment – that led to the first research into climate change. Climate change itself has been regarded as an issue for ‘national security’, and a war that ‘we are fighting’.

Item Type:	Article
Note:	The introduction to a special issue entitled 'Modern Warfare and the Environment', co-edited by Anna Stenning and Samantha Walton.
Divisions:	School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities
Date Deposited:	15 Jun 2017 10:36
Last Modified:	15 Aug 2021 09:46
ISSN:	1468-8417
URI / Page ID:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/9626

	Request a change to this item or report an issue
	Update item (repository staff only)