Environmental history is the study of human interaction with nature over time, emphasising nature's active involvement in affecting human affairs and vice versa. Environmental history arose in the United States as a result of the 1960s and 1970s environmental movement, and much of its drive currently comes from current global environmental issues. The field began with environmental challenges, but it has since expanded to include more general social and scientific history, as well as issues such as urbanisation, population, and sustainable development. Because history takes place in nature, environmental history tends to concentrate on specific periods, geographic regions, or major themes. It is also a very interdisciplinary subject that incorporates both the humanities and natural sciences. The subject of environmental history can be broken down into three categories. The physical impact of people on the Earth's land, water, atmosphere, and biosphere are included in the first, nature itself and its evolution over time. The environmental effects of expanding population, more effective technology, and changing production and consumption habits are included in the second category, and in the third one how humans use nature. For students, teachers, and specialists, this important book gives a crucial guide to previous advances, present conflicts and prospects.