[Book] Handbook Environmental Anthropology is out!

I am thrilled to announce the release of the Handbook of Environmental Anthropology (published in German), a project I had the pleasure of co-editing with Carsten Wergin. Published by Springer, this comprehensive volume brings together leading voices in anthropology, environmental studies, and cultural research to explore how human-environment relations are shaped by cultural, social, and political dynamics.

In an era marked by climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource conflicts, it becomes increasingly clear that environmental challenges are deeply intertwined with cultural practices, worldviews, and social structures. This handbook responds to that complexity by offering a broad, interdisciplinary perspective on how anthropology can contribute to understanding—and addressing—today’s ecological crises.

🌍 Why This Handbook?

Environmental issues are no longer the sole domain of natural sciences or policy frameworks. They demand cultural insight, ethnographic sensitivity, and critical reflection on how different societies perceive, engage with, and transform their environments.

The Handbook of Environmental Anthropology provides:

• A foundation in key theoretical approaches, from political ecology to ontological and decolonial perspectives.

• Insight into innovative methodologies, including multi-species ethnography, multimodal research, and collaborative practices.

• Exploration of pressing research fields like climate change, resilience, and disaster studies.

• Focus on topical areas such as energy, waste, planetary health, urban environments, and datafication.

It is designed as a resource for scholars, students, and practitioners seeking to navigate the complex intersections of culture, society, and environment.

📖 Table of Contents

Here’s an overview of the chapters and contributors who made this volume possible:

Foundations

1. Environmental Anthropology: An Introduction — Kathrin Eitel, Carsten Wergin

2. From Political Ecology to Plural Ecologies — Michaela Haug, Kristina Großmann

3. Ontological Anthropology — Oliver D. Liebig, Michaela Meurer

4. Decolonial Approaches — Franziska Klaas

   
   

Methods and Experimental Approaches

5. Collaborative Ethnography — Jörg Niewöhner, Desirée Hetzel

6. Multimodal Ethnography — Kathrin Eitel, Sandro Simon

7. Multi-Species Ethnography — Laura Otto, Michaela Fenske

8. Plant Ethnography — Cornelia Ertl, Susanne Schmitt, Sandra Calkins

   
   

Fields of Research

9. The Anthropocene — Felix Lussem

10. Climate Change — Arno Pascht, Desirée Hetzel

11. Environmental Governance — Jeannine-Madeleine Fischer

12. Landscapes — Maike Melles

13. Resilience — Kathrin Eitel

14. Disaster Research — Jeanne Féaux de la Croix, Aibek Samakov

    
    

Topical Areas

15. Energy — Annuska Derks, Carolin Russegger

16. Waste — Dagna Rams

17. Planetary Health — Sung-Joon Park

18. Cultural Heritage — Carsten Wergin

19. Ecotourism — Eveline Dürr

20. Urban Environments — Christoph Antweiler

21. Environmental Justice — Jonas Hein, Silja Klepp

22. Datafied (En)vironments — Asta Vonderau, Andrea Behrends

    
    

This handbook is the result of inspiring collaborations with scholars who are pushing the boundaries of environmental anthropology. I extend my deepest thanks to all contributors for their commitment and critical insights.

📚 Where to Find the Book

The Handbook of Environmental Anthropology is now available via Springer:👉 Access the book here

Whether you're engaged in research, teaching, or applied environmental work, I hope this volume will offer valuable perspectives and spark further dialogue.

If you have thoughts, questions, or would like to discuss potential collaborations, feel free to reach out or comment below!

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