All Things ASE

Teaching the Environmental Past for a Sustainable Future.

Leo Faedo, ASE's new tutor teaching Environmental History and Global Activism.

New ASE tutor Leo Faedo, provides this month’s blog, at the end of ASE’s ‘Green Week’.

Here he tells us of his aims and hopes in teaching our new course, Environmental History and Global Activism.

I am really pleased to be leading Environmental History and Global Activism for the first time this semester.

The topic is an important one for me. Since 2016, I have been working internationally, in South America and Europe, researching and teaching in the field of Agroecology.

My research stems from the studies developed during my PhD, in which I combined natural (plant sciences) and social sciences (interdisciplinary studies in Agroecology, water, and resilience) to look at sustainable farming methods focusing on plant health promotion and the use of natural products for biostimulation effects. Throughout this time I have experienced firsthand the environmental impacts related to food production, and the vital importance that sustainable agricultural practices have on shaping the health of societies and ecosystems.

In an era characterized by unprecedented environmental crises - from climate change and biodiversity loss to widespread pollution - understanding the historical roots of these issues and the global responses they generate has become essential. The ‘Environmental History and Global Activism’ course seeks to address this urgent need by offering students a profound exploration of the interconnections between human history, ecological systems, and the activism that shapes our world.

This course holds significant value for the students not only academically, but also socially, as it prepares students to confront one of the most pressing challenges of our time with knowledge, empathy, and action.

Academically, the course provides a critical interdisciplinary framework that merges historical analysis with environmental studies and social activism. By studying environmental history, students learn how human actions, policies, and cultural attitudes have historically impacted ecosystems. This allows them to develop a nuanced understanding of how industrialization, colonialism, and economic development have contributed to environmental degradation over time. Additionally, the course emphasizes the role of marginalized communities - often the most severely impacted by environmental changes - and highlights the voices that have traditionally been excluded from mainstream narratives.

In a world where environmental problems are deeply entangled with social, political, and economic systems, this course provides students with the analytical tools to identify these intersections. 

While understanding environmental history is crucial, the course goes further by encouraging students to actively engage with the challenges identified. Through an exploration of global environmental movements - such as the anti-deforestation campaigns, climate justice activism, and the global push for renewable energy - students are introduced to the individuals, organizations, and social movements that have successfully advocated for change.

By linking historical knowledge with contemporary activism, the course inspires students to see themselves as agents of change. It encourages them to move beyond the theoretical and recognize the potential for action within their own communities and globally. This connection between academia and activism helps foster a sense of responsibility and empowerment, reinforcing the idea that knowledge is not just an abstract pursuit but a tool for real-world transformation.

I hope that the significance of the course extends far beyond the classroom. In cultivating the students as informed, engaged citizens, this course contributes to the broader societal need for individuals who can tackle environmental challenges with a deep understanding of their historical and global contexts. As more people become aware of the roots of environmental degradation and the ways in which different groups have fought to protect the planet, society becomes better equipped to foster sustainable solutions.

The course also emphasizes the importance of empathy and social justice in environmental work. This perspective is crucial as the world continues to grapple with climate change, where the consequences often fall most heavily on those least responsible for causing the problem. I hope that the course will instil a commitment to justice, which can help shape more equitable and inclusive environmental policies in the future.

It is my hope that by the end of their semester in Bath, my students will leave with more than just academic knowledge, but will carry with them a deep understanding of the historical and global dimensions of environmental challenges, coupled with a strong sense of purpose in addressing them.

Ultimately, my goal is for students to emerge from the course as thoughtful leaders, capable of driving forward the cultural and environmental political shifts necessary to confront environmental degradation. They will be better prepared to contribute to the global movement toward sustainability and environmental justice, carrying forward the lessons of history and the momentum of activism into a world that desperately needs their vision and commitment.