In search of the Anthropocene: massive deforestation in Valtellina (Italy) in the 19th century and its consequences

Abstract

More than two decades have passed since the introduction of the term Anthropocene, revealing a notable lack of studies on the political and institutional decisions that led to this new geological era. This article delves into the context of the nineteenth-century bourgeois order and privatization in the Valtellina valley, Italy. It details how the privatization of forests, instead of preserving them, triggered excessive exploitation, intensifying geological and hydrometeorological risks in the region. By emphasizing that our ancestors acted not out of ignorance but based on precise economic calculations, the research not only enriches our understanding of the past but underscores the urgent need to rewrite the official history of the Anthropocene. This historical approach provides essential lessons to address the current socio-environmental and climate crisis, highlighting History as an essential guide to building a sustainable future.