Germany

In this issue of RCC Perspectives, adapted from a 2008 proposal submitted to the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Christof Mauch and Helmuth Trischler explain why the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society was founded. They conclude by outlining the six research clusters of the RCC and highlighting its activities, which include colloquia, summer schools, international conferences, and exhibitions.

In this issue of RCC Perspectives, Christian Pfister examines disaster memory and risk culture. In contrast to the memory of war, the memory of natural disaster is markedly short-lived in a globalized world, yet such memory should be preserved in order to minimize the impact of similar disasters in the future.

In this issue of RCC Perspectives, Frank Uekoetter addresses monocultures as more than a cultural phenomenon, considering the science, economics, and technology behind the trend.

A narrative of natural progression for environmentalism, from modest beginnings to a global force with the promise of a more sustainable future, is unconvincing in the early twenty-first century. In this issue of RCC Perspectives, Frank Uekoetter discusses the position of the environmental movement in society.

Disease, hunger, war, and religion have shaped human existence over many centuries. This volume of RCC Perspectives presents exciting syntheses between research in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and history.

Ecovillages are arguably seen as “pioneers of change.” Yet, thus far, little light has been shed on their potential to effect change beyond their own borders. This issue of RCC Perspectives presents a much needed overview of research on ecovillages, looking at the history and philosophy of utopias and presenting case studies and ongoing research from across the globe.