Speaking with Nature

The Origins of Indian Environmentalism

By: Ramachandra Guha

Narrated by: Neil Shah

By the canons of orthodox social science, countries like India are not supposed to have an environmental consciousness. They are, as it were, "too poor to be green."

In this deeply researched book, Ramachandra Guha challenges this narrative by revealing a virtually unknown prehistory of the global movement set far outside Europe or America.

Long before the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring and well before climate change, ten remarkable individuals wrote with deep insight about the dangers of environmental abuse from within an Indian context.

In strikingly contemporary language, Rabindranath Tagore, Radhakamal Mukerjee, J. C. Kumarappa, Patrick Geddes, Albert and Gabrielle Howard, Mira, Verrier Elwin, K. M. Munshi, and M. Krishnan wrote about the forest and the wild, soil and water, urbanization and industrialization.

Positing the idea of what Guha calls "livelihood environmentalism" in contrast to the "full-stomach environmentalism" of the affluent world, these writers, activists, and scientists played a pioneering role in shaping global conversations about humanity's relationship with nature.

Spanning more than a century of Indian history, and decidedly transnational in reference, this audiobook offers rich resources for considering the threat of climate change today.

©2024 Ramachandra Guha (P)2024 Tantor Media

VERY INTERESTING

I consider this a must read if you are concerned about the environment of our AMAZING earth.
This is the first book I have read by Ramachandra Guha and it will certainly not be the last one.
Of course the narration by Neil Shah is unsurpassed.
My thanks to all involved, JK.