

Sunil Amrith
Professor of history at Yale University and author of The Burning Earth: A History, examining human impact on ecological systems.
Top 5 podcasts with Sunil Amrith
Ranked by the Snipd community

37 snips
Dec 12, 2024 • 55min
Language and Violence | Sunil Amrith
Join Sunil Amrith, a Yale history professor and author of "The Burning Earth," as he reveals the deep ties between violence against both humans and nature. He discusses how language has been weaponized to obscure truths and perpetuate injustices. Explore the colonial suppression of indigenous languages and its impact on cultural identity and environmental movements. Amrith also connects historical violence, technology, and ecological crises, emphasizing the vital need for grassroots activism and justice in a rapidly changing world.

Mar 18, 2025 • 28min
What environmental history says about our current ‘planetary risk’
Sunil Amrith, a Yale history professor and author of "The Burning Earth: A History," dives into the historical parallels of environmental policy and its modern implications. He discusses the unique planetary risks we face today, contrasting them with past ecological impacts confined to regions. Amrith emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, exploring how historical injustices affect indigenous communities. He also addresses eco-anxiety and highlights grassroots movements striving for sustainability, showcasing inspiring global activism.

Oct 29, 2024 • 1h 8min
Yale Historian Sunil Amrith - How Humanity Reshaped the Planet
Sunil Amrith, a Yale historian and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, dives into how humanity has dramatically altered the Earth over the last 500 years. He discusses the complexities of the Green Revolution in India, balancing food production against environmental degradation. Amrith emphasizes the importance of cultural beliefs in shaping our relationship with nature and critiques the reliance on technology in environmentalism. He calls for empathy and local narratives to inspire collective action, asserting it's the artists, not just technocrats, who will lead us forward.

Oct 28, 2024 • 1h 2min
Downstream: How War, Trade and Farming Changed the Planet Forever w/ Sunil Amrith
Sunil Amrith, a historian and author known for his work on environmental history, delves into fascinating insights about humanity's relationship with the planet. He reveals how a grass surge fueled the Mongol Empire and explores the ecological legacies of the World Wars. Amrith contemplates the moral implications of resource consumption in the global north and examines the interplay between political rhetoric and environmental degradation. The conversation highlights the crucial need for sustainable practices and collective action to tackle climate change.

Sep 19, 2024 • 37min
Hidden environmental histories of the last 500 years
Sunil Amrith, an expert on historical environmental impacts, joins Ellie Cawthorne to explore fascinating intersections of human actions and ecological changes over the last 500 years. They discuss how major events like colonialism and war have contributed to environmental degradation. The conversation delves into the links between the transatlantic slave trade and land exploitation, as well as the devastating ecological costs of the World Wars. Finally, they address the critical lessons history can teach us in tackling today’s climate crisis.