The article discusses the consequences of modernity, particularly in relation to the environmental crisis, and critiques the narrative of a recent ecological awakening. It argues that while modernity has led to a reflexive acknowledgment of risks, this understanding is vague and lacks political impact. Historian Ulrich Beck’s concept of ‘risk society’ is examined, with the author emphasizing that it simplifies historical complexities, depoliticizes environmental degradation, and overlooks earlier understandings of ecology.
The text highlights that past societies demonstrated a variety of cosmologies regarding nature, often showing respect and an understanding of natural laws rather than mere exploitation. It explores historical awareness of climate and environmental sustainability, detailing concerns from the sixteenth century onwards, including threats to soil health during industrialization and critiques from figures like Marx regarding capitalist agriculture.
The article suggests that the historical relationship between society and nature was more complex than a simple trajectory toward environmental harm. Past communities engaged in recycling and resource management, demonstrating ecological intelligence. The author argues that narratives framing the Industrial Revolution as a naïve period of environmental destruction overlook the calculated knowledge and decisions at play.
Ultimately, the article presents modernity as a series of calculated actions that required ethical rationalizations, often normalizing risks associated with technological advancement, rather than a grand, unrestrained movement toward progress.
