Author Archives: susanoliver

About susanoliver

I'm a Professor at the University of Essex, where I teach and write about literature from the 18th century to the present. My personal, teaching and research interests include environmental humanities, which is what this blog is about. I try to share the kinds of experience that are special to me, and hope they will interest readers. Writing is a way of thinking. The photos are mostly my own - please mention me and this site if you use them elsewhere. Thanks, and enjoy.

Jewel Bugs

I found these beautiful metallic jewel bugs (Scutifora pedicellata) while out walking. A nice find on a day when there was a lot to see.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Ocean beach walking: exploring ecologies between Harmers Haven and Cutlers Beach, Bass Coast, Australia.

I respectfully acknowledge the Yallock-Bulluk people of the Bunurong nation who are the traditional custodians of the Country in which I walked and am writing about here. I pay my respects to their elders past and present, knowing the stories … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sharing Andrew MacAllister’s ‘Looking at the West’ blogpost on phone towers in the landscape – click link below. I have the privilege of going to Brigham Young University tomorrow for a conference and workshop.

via Brigham City cell towers

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

New Film on Climate Change in the Caribbean: 1.5 Stay Alive

Originally posted on Repeating Islands:
The aim of international climate change policy is to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius. But scientists believe that a temperature rise of just 1.5 degrees could lead to irreversible damage to ecosystems and…

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

U. of Puerto Rico Is Closed as Hurricane Maria Wreaks Destruction

Originally posted on Repeating Islands:
A report by Samuel Hoisington for the Chronicle of Higher Education. The University of Puerto Rico’s 11 campuses and central office are closed in the wake of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria. “The whole island…

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Snow Story

I have to share a video (see below for YouTube link): please watch billy barr’s deeply moving short story of snow. It’s a Gothic tale of a man living in a cabin in the woods, in winter – all those … Continue reading

Posted in American West, Colorado, Ecology, Environment and walking, environmental aesthetics, Ice, land ethics, Poetry and Essays, Uncategorized, Wyoming | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ice Art

“Within a few weeks these murals will be forever gone, but for those who find them, I hope they ignite a sense of urgency.” (Sean Yoro, A’o ‘Ana project website 18.01.17) Reading Georgia McCafferty’s article on artist Sean Yoro’s A’o ‘Ana (The Warning) … Continue reading

Posted in Arctic, Art, Ecology, environmental aesthetics, Ice | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More Ice Thoughts: After the Polls, What’s Next for the Poles?

Sharing this article, “Amid higher global temperatures, sea ice at record lows at poles,” by Brandon Miller, CNN meteorologist (19 November 2016) http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/18/world/sea-ice-arctic-antarctic-lows/index.html

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Ice Thoughts: 2,

Study in Ice, Rock and Water. Southern Greenland seen from 36000 feet. Photo © Susan Oliver. Like the white ghost of a glacier the mists advance, riding over phalanxes of tamarack, sliding across bog meadows heavy with dew. A single silence … Continue reading

Posted in American West, Arctic, Art, Birds and Animals, Ecology, environmental aesthetics, Ice, land ethics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Plants and Antibiotics: some thoughts on reading the NY Times article “Could Ancient Remedies Hold the Answer to the Looming Antibiotics Crisis?”

PLANTS AND ANTIBIOTICS Rabbitbrush. (My photograph) The article below about the antiseptic and antibiotic properties of plants is from the New York Times Magazine. I decided to post it because, as you know from my writing, I’m deeply interested in … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment