Seminar: John Perlin, "A Forest Journey: The Story of Wood and Civilisation"

Past Event

Date
15 October 2010, 5:15pm

Location
School of Geography and Environment
South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY

John Perlin's presentation, "A Forest Journey: The Story of Wood and Civilization," will show the singular role wood played in the development of civilization from Mesopotamia to late 19th century America, a period covering 5000 years on five continents. The book shows how forests were transformed into fuel for industry, from smelting to glass-making, and above all were the source of timber for shipbuilding: for centuries the main pathway to wealth and power. Wood, indeed, was the oil of times past, and empires were brought low as their sources of timber disappeared.

Parallels for us as oil peaks and the world warms are striking.

From the University of California, Santa Barbara, John Perlin is a lecturer in solar energy and forestry and the author of three highly acclaimed environmental books. "A Forest Journey: The Story of Wood and Civilization" was described by the BBC as "one of those bold imaginative steps through history that leaves you full of excitement as suddenly events fall into a pattern for the first time." He has spoken to a wide range of audiences in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brazil and Italy. His presentations focus on the story of solar energy and of humanity's interaction with forests over 5000 years.

Please register for this event at the link provided.