Think As Historian: THINK AS A HISTORIAN: ENvIRONMENTAL CHANGES IN DIffERENT CONTEXTS

The geopolitical context of environmental change provides one lens through which to see complex interrelationships. Economic context provides another useful lens, as Sean Mcelwee explains below:

“Marx’s ideas about overproduction led him to predict what is now

called globalization—the spread of capitalism across the planet in

search of new markets. ‘The need of a constantly expanding market

for its products chases the bourgeoisie over the entire surface of

the globe,’ he wrote. ‘It must nestle everywhere, settle everywhere,

establish connections everywhere.’ While this may seem like

an obvious point now, Marx wrote those words in 1848, when

globalization was over a century away. And he wasn’t just right about

what ended up happening in the late 20th century—he was right about

why it happened: The relentless search for new markets and cheap

labor, as well as the incessant demand for more natural resources, are

beasts that demand constant feeding.”

Rolling Stone, January 20, 2014

Considering both geopolitical and economic contexts, explain why environmental harms accelerated following the Cold War.