Search

Humanity is facing a global crisis that has been brought about by the domestication, exploitation and degradation of the natural environment. This crisis is closely interconnected with social structures and processes, and with cultural representations ‐ thus with history and politics, too. Therefore, historically, politically, aesthetically, and ethically reflective approaches that require the expertise of the humanities and social sciences are essential. This is precisely where the environmental humanities come into play, and in this paper, we outline their potential and their contribution to environmental research.

Teorija osjećanja Hermanna Schmitza pretendira iznova promišljati osjećanja kao atmosfere koje se bezrubno razlijevaju. Ovaj prilog pokušava, s jedne strane, razraditi jake strane takvog pristupa, ali također, s druge strane, ukazati na prilične poteškoće i antinomije koje su mu imanentne.

It is misleading to speak of material flows or the cycling of substances or of humans as emitting carbon dioxide, since this naturalizes a process that in reality has actors and contexts. Transdisciplinary research on substance histories focusses on contexts of action. It analyses those actions and networks of actors that mobilize and immobilize certain substances, and it presents its results as an integrated narrative. This type of research is based on a phenomenological notion of substance that stresses the activity of substances and presents, on this basis, a new picture of the interactions between actors and materials that contributes to research on the Anthropocene., Die Rede von Stoffströmen oder Stoffkreisläufen bzw. von der Menschheit, die Kohlendioxid emittiere, sind irreführend, weil sie ein Geschehen, das konkret benennbare Akteure und Handlungskontexte hat, wie einen Naturvorgang darstellen. Auf Handlungskontexte konzentriert sich der transdisziplinäre Ansatz der stoffgeschichtlichen Forschung, die die Handlungszusammenhänge, durch die Stoffe mobilgemacht und auch immobilisiert werden, rekonstruiert und als integrierte Geschichte darstellt. Diese Forschung legt zugleich einen phänomenologischen Stoffbegriff zugrundelegt, der mit der Eigenaktivität von Stoffen rechnet und von dieser Grundlage aus ein neues Bild der Interaktionen von Menschen und Substanzen entstehen lässt, das ein wichtiger Beitrag zur Anthropozänforschung ist.

Terra preta is a “hot” topic in the environmental sciences. From an anthropogenic soil type of local relevance, terra preta has been transformed by soil scientists into a techno-scientific object that helps to escape the global ecological crisis. The commodification goes along with a mythification that does not spare the scientific sphere.This paper contributes to the history of terra preta research. It traces not only the history of science of Amazonian Dark Earths (terra preta de índio) but the history of knowledge of terra preta taking explicitly into account indigenous contributions. Five major phases are distinguished. In the beginning knowledge on terra preta was local indigenous knowledge. The scientific object “terra preta” was created in the context of archaeological research and has then been reframed as a carbon-sequestering soil in the context of the rising global warming debate in the early 1990s. This development led to a de-contextualization of terra preta and to commodification, giving rise to the biochar industry. Commodification included mythification of terra preta, stressing its ancient, prehistoric roots. Both processes ‐ commodification and mythification ‐ can also be found within the scientific sphere. This seems to indicate that not only terra preta has become a commodity, but that also research on terra preta shows signs of commodification.

Background/Objectives: Meteorological factors seem to influence stroke incidence, however, the complex association between weather and stroke remains unclear. Possible explanations from the literature do not categorize into subdivisions of ischemic strokes, only have small patient numbers, or refer to a selection of isolated weather elements without investigating weather changes and more. Method: In this exploratory trial, almost 18,000 stroke cases from a single stroke center in Southern Germany were analyzed from 2006 to 2015 and classified into the main subgroups of strokes and subdivisions of ischemic stroke etiologies applying the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification. For each stroke event, the air mass classification was determined from a subset of 7 air mass categories. Relative excess morbidities were derived for the 7 different air mass categories, taking into account the day of the event and up to 2 and 5 days preceding the stroke event. Results: Statistically significant findings (α ≤0.1) reveal that dry tropical air masses were associated with a lower/higher risk for hemorrhagic (HEM)/macroangiopathic strokes (MAS), respectively. Dry polar air masses were associated with a higher risk for intracerebral bleedings and lower risk for ischemic stroke subtypes. Moist air masses were associated with a reduced incidence of MAS. A strong temperature increase 5 days prior to the event was associated with a lower risk of HEM strokes. Temperature increases were associated with lower risks for MAS and cardio-embolic strokes. Significant temperature decreases were associated with a higher risk of MAS. Conclusions: Temperature effects were dependent on both air masses and temperature changes within 5 days prior to the event and were associated with statistically relevant changes in stroke incidence. Decisive factors such as etiology, age, sex, and risk factors were also taken into account.

A series of major eruptions of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland started on 14 April 2010 and continued until the end of May 2010. The volcanic emissions moved over nearly the whole of Europe and were observed first on 16 April 2010 in Southern Germany with different remote sensing systems from the ground and space. Enhanced PM10 and SO2 concentrations were detected on 17 April at mountain stations (Zugspitze/Schneefernerhaus and Schauinsland) as well as in Innsbruck by in situ measurement devices. On 19 April intensive vertical mixing and advection along with clear-sky conditions facilitated the entrainment of volcanic material down to the ground. The subsequent formation of a stably stratified lower atmosphere with limited mixing near the ground during the evening of 19 April led to an additional enhancement of near-surface particle concentrations. Consequently, on 19 April and 20 April exceedances of the daily threshold value for particulate matter (PM10) were reported at nearly all monitoring stations of the North Alpine foothills as well as at mountain and valley stations in the northern Alps. The chemical analyses of ambient PM10 at monitoring stations of the North Alpine foothills yielded elevated Titanium concentrations on 19/20 April which prove the presence of volcanic plume material. Following this result the PM10 threshold exceedances are also associated with the volcanic plume. The entrainment of the volcanic plume material mainly affected the concentrations of coarse particles (>1 μm) – interpreted as volcanic ash – and ultrafine particles (

Unter Nießbrauch verstanden die Römer eine Nutzung, die Sorge trägt, dass die Substanz der Sache erhalten bleibt. Von diesem Konzept aus ergibt sich eine neue Möglichkeit, Nachhaltigkeit zu verstehen. Dabei kommt es darauf an, dass die Substanz nicht nur ökonomisch, sondern auch ökologisch definiert wird.This paper argues that the concept of sustainability has a parallel in the Roman concept of usus fructus (usufruct), meaning to use, enjoy and benefit from something owned, without altering its substance. The concept of sustainable use is based on a definition of the essential properties of the thing being used. This is not a trivial matter, as there are always many ways of defining the essence of a thing. Wood represents one thing for a forest warden, and something quite different for an ecologist. Ecological sustainability is different from economic sustainability, since an ecologist has a more complex understanding of the essence of a given piece of land or body of water. In its conclusion, this paper argues that sustainability can be considered a type of usufruct. Sustainability differs from other types of usufruct in that the user is not accountable to the proprietor, but to an open forum of stakeholders. The thing the user possesses must be defined both economically and ecologically.

Teorija osjećanja Hermanna Schmitza pretendira iznova promišljati osjećanja kao atmosfere koje se bezrubno razlijevaju. Ovaj prilog pokušava, s jedne strane, razraditi jake strane takvog pristupa, ali također, s druge strane, ukazati na prilične poteškoće i antinomije koje su mu imanentne., Hermann Schmitz’s theory of emotions tends to think about feelings anew, as atmospheres that boundlessly pour over. This contribution attempts, on the one hand, to point out strong aspects of this approach, and on the other hand, to point out its considerable immanent difficulties and antinomies., La théorie de l’affectivité de Hermann Schmitz se propose de repenser les sentiments en tant qu’atmosphères enveloppantes qui se déversent. Le présent article tente, d’un côté, de dégager la puissance de cette approche, et d’un autre côté, de relever les problèmes considérables et les antinomies rencontrées., Die Gefühlstheorie des Hermann Schmitz beansprucht, Gefühle neu zu denken als randlos ergossene Atmosphären. Der folgende Beitrag versucht einerseits die Stärke dieses Ansatzes herauszuarbeiten, andererseits aber auch die erheblichen Probleme und Antinomien nachzuweisen.

CO2 is not a simple, immediately graspable substance like water, salt, or mercury. It has to be conceptually and instrumentally constructed since, as an air-like GE 241 substance, CO2 is almost invisible, almost odorless and quickly diffuses into the surrounding air; and it is only through special instrumental apparatus (such as a pneumatic trough) or in hermetically sealed locations that it can be(come) sufficiently concentrated for it to be recognizable as a unique individual substance. This constructive work was carried out between the seventeenth and early nineteenth centuries. The older belief in the special status of 'spirits' was displaced by the concept of gas - but only in laboratories. In public communication, 'gases' continue to be emotionally charged substances that are in no way normal. Further investigation of the history of CO2 shows that the substance has been increasingly politicized and moralized since around the 1980s in the context of the climate change debate. Chemical CO2 is being reconstrued as a 'pollutant' that threatens the earth and future generations.

In many European cities mass concentrations of PM10 (particles less than 10 microm in size) are still exceeding air quality standards as set by the European Commission in 1999. As a consequence, many cities introduced low emission zones (LEZs) to improve air quality and to meet the limit values. In Germany currently 48 LEZs are in operation. By means of dispersion modeling, PM10 concentrations were estimated to decrease up to 10%. Analysis of PM10 levels conducted for Cologne, Berlin, and Munich some time after the LEZs were introduced showed reduction of PM10 mass concentration in the estimated range. The PM10 particle fraction is, however composed of particles with varying toxicity, of which diesel soot is highly health relevant. An evaluation of air quality data conducted in Berlin showed that in 2010 traffic-related soot concentrations measured along major roads decreased by 52% compared to 2007. Diesel particle emissions in Berlin were reduced in 2012 by 63% compared to a business-as-usual scenario (reference year 2007). A strong reduction of the traffic-related particle fraction of PM2.5 was also reported for Munich. Therefore, it is likely that the effects of LEZs are considerably more significant to human health than was anticipated when only considering the reduction of PM10 mass concentrations.The implementation of low emission zones in German cities might result in a reduction of PM10 levels concentrations by up to 10%. However, it is difficult to show a reduction of PM10 annual averages in this order of magnitude as meteorology has a large impact on the year-to-year variation of PM mass concentrations. Monitoring of other PM metrics such as black smoke (BS) or elemental carbon (EC) might be a better strategy for evaluating LEZs effects. The benefit of low emission zones on human health is far greater than is presently visible from routine measurements of PM10.

This study explores discrete emotions (guilt, fear, hope) as mediators for effects of goal framing on perceived threat of climate change and willingness to sacrifice. To reconcile conflicting evidence, the study introduces and tests the distinction between gain-positive frames (positive consequences of engaging in climate protection), gain-negative frames (avoiding negative consequences when engaging in climate protection), and loss frames (negative consequences of not engaging in climate protection). Results show that gain-negative frames increase perceived threat and willingness to sacrifice, while loss frames increase them through guilt and fear. Hope is increased by a gain-positive frame but subsequently lowers both outcomes.

The contribution of non-European cultures to science and technology, primarily to chemistry, has gained very little attentions until now. Especially the high technological intelligence and inventiveness of South American native populations shall be put into a different light by our contribution. The purpose of this essay is to show that mainly in the area of chemical practices the indigenous competence was considerable and has led to inventions profitable nowadays to millions of people in the western world and especially to the pharmacy corporations. We would like to illustrate this assumption by giving some examples of chemical practices of transformation of substances, mainly those unknown in the Old World. The indigenous capacity to gain and to transform substances shall be shown here by the manufacture of poisons, such as curare or the extraction of toxic substances of plants, like during the fabrication of manioc flower. We shall mention as well other processes of multi-stage transformations and the discovery and the use of highly effective natural substances by Amazonian native populations, such as, for example, rubber, ichthyotoxic substances or psychoactive drugs.

Umwelt- und Nachhaltigkeitsprobleme sind oft eng mit Gesundheitsfragen verknüpft. Die Skizze benennt einige davon und weist auf Forschungslücken und Themen hin, die aus humanökologischer Sicht wichtig erscheinen.

Material culture, strictly speaking, is substance culture. Nevertheless, studies on material culture are almost exclusively concerned with things. The specificities in the perception of substances and the related everyday practices are rarely taken into consideration. Although this can be explained by the history of anthropology, the bias towards associating material culture with “formed matter” is a foundational shortcoming. In consequence, particular perspectives on the material remain understudied, and the cultural relevance of substances as such is rarely taken into consideration. Taking a perspective grounded in anthropology and phenomenology, this article intends to provide new approaches to substances that elucidate the particular modes of their perception, reveal their characteristics and reflect on particular notions implicit to substances. The final section of this contribution discusses two exemplary studies on substances and proposes transformation and incorporation as new fields of research that would contribute to a more explicit engagement with substances in material culture studies.

Background and aims Epidemiological studies have shown adverse effects of ambient air pollutants on health with inflammation and oxidative stress playing an important role. We examine the association between blood biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation and physical attributes of particulate matter which are not routinely measured such as particle length or surface area concentration and apparent density of PM. Methods Between 3/2007 and 12/2008 187 non-smoking individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were examined within the framework of the KORA Study in Augsburg, Germany. In addition, we selected 87 participants with a potential genetic predisposition on detoxifying and inflammatory pathways. This was defined by the null polymorphism for glutathione S-transferase M1 in combination with a certain single nucleotide polymorphism on the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene (rs1205) or the fibrinogen gene (rs1800790). Participants had blood drawn up to seven different times, resulting in 1765 blood samples. Air pollutants were collected at a central measurement station and individual 24-h averages calculated. Associations between air pollutants and high sensitivity CRP, myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin (IL)−6 and fibrinogen were analysed using additive mixed models. Results For the panel with genetic susceptibility, increases were seen for CRP and MPO with most attributes, specifically particle length and active surface concentration. The %change of geometric mean and 95% confidence intervals for the 5-day average exposure for CRP and MPO were 34.6% [21.8;48.8] and 8.3% [3.2;13.6] per interquartile range increase of particle length concentration and 29.8% [15.9;45.3] and 10.4 [4.4;16.7] for active surface area. Results for the panel of T2D and IGT and the other blood biomarkers were less conclusive. Conclusions Particle length concentration and active surface concentration showed strong positive associations with blood biomarkers reflecting inflammation. These air pollution metrics might reflect harmful aerosol properties better than particulate mass or number concentration. They might therefore be important for epidemiological studies.

Auf welche Weisen setzen sich die Kunste mit okologischen Fragen auseinander? Wie verhalten sich kunstlerische Praktiken zu okologischen Forschungen? Gibt es eine okologische Kunst? Welche Vorstellungen von Naturen und Umwelten kommen im Verhaltnis von Okologie und Kunsten zum Tragen? Okologie ist in den letzten Jahren sowohl in den Sozial- und Kulturwissenschaften als auch in den Kunsten zu einem Schlusselthema geworden. Dies zeigt eine Vielzahl von kunstlerischen Arbeiten, die sich mit dem Klimawandel, den Relationen von Natur und Kultur, der Gestaltung von Natur- und Stadtraumen, den Materialitaten der Umwelt, dem Verhaltnis von Menschlichem und Nicht-Menschlichem sowie einer Geschichte der Dinge, Pflanzen und Tiere und ihren Wechselbeziehungen auseinandersetzen. Die Beitrage des Bandes nehmen die Strategien und Formen in den Blick, durch die sich die Kunste zur Okologie ins Verhaltnis setzen, und zeigen, inwiefern kunstlerische Praktiken als Verfahren des Experimentierens und Durchspielens okologischer Szenarien begriffen werden konnen.

The pathophysiological pathways linking particulate air pollution to cardiovascular disease are still not fully understood. We examined the association between ambient air pollutants and blood markers of inflammation and coagulation/fibrinolysis in three potentially susceptible populations.Three panels of non-smoking individuals were examined between 3/2007 and 12/2008: 1) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D, n = 83), 2) with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT, n = 104), and 3) with a potential genetic predisposition which could affect detoxifying and inflammatory pathways (n = 87) defined by the null polymorphism for glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) in combination with a certain single nucleotide polymorphism on the C-reactive protein (CRP) or the fibrinogen gene. Study participants had blood drawn up to seven times every four to six weeks. In total, 1765 blood samples were analysed for CRP, interleukin (IL)-6, soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), fibrinogen, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Hourly mean values of particulate air pollutants, particle number concentrations in different size ranges and gaseous pollutants were collected at fixed monitoring sites and individual 24 hour averages calculated. Associations between air pollutants and blood markers were analysed for each panel separately and taking the T2D panel and the IGT panel together, using additive mixed models adjusted for long-term time trend and meteorology.For the panel with potential genetic susceptibility, CRP and MPO increased for most lags, especially with the 5-day average exposure (% change of geometric mean and 95% confidence interval: 22.9% [12.0;34.7] for CRP and 5.0% [0.3;9.9] for MPO per interquartile range of PM2.5). Small positive associations were seen for fibrinogen while sCD40L, PAI-1 and IL-6 mostly decreased in association with air pollution concentrations. Except for positive associations for fibrinogen we did not see significant results with the two other panels.Participants with potential genetic susceptibility showed a clear association between inflammatory blood biomarkers and ambient air pollutants. Our results support the hypothesis that air pollution increases systemic inflammation especially in susceptible populations which may aggravate atherosclerotic diseases and induce multi-organ damage. Keywords: Air pollution, Inflammation, Diabetes, CRP, GSTM1, Coagulation