Environmental impact on Haiti through time
Academic works on Haiti disregard the impact the environment had on its past, even though it was a fertile island and the leading exporter of sugar to the United States during the 18th century. Overall, the EU-funded project 'An environmental history of Haiti (1492-present)' (HAITI'S ENVIRONMENT) aimed to explore how environmental factors influenced its development from the time of Christopher Columbus to today. To achieve this, the project carried out bibliographical work and identified relevant sources and experts. This was followed by attendance at seminars and conferences. Archives research was conducted at various universities and institutes in the United States, and interviews and other research exercises were carried out in Haiti. Papers were presented and invited speeches given at high-profile conferences such as the Society for French Historical Studies conference at Harvard University in 2013. A panel was organised at the European Society for Environmental History conference, and the project co-organised a workshop hosted by Georgetown University. Other project work included the revision, proofreading and correction of four books from initiatives preceding this project. One deliverable was a new introduction for the second edition of the book 'Les Refugies Acadiens en France (1758-1785): L'impossible re-integration?' and the signing of a contract for its translation into English. Five articles were published in peer-reviewed academic journals and edited books, and several book reviews were published in leading academic journals. The first-ever monograph on the environmental history of Haiti was not completed during the three-year project. Bibliographical references, archives, interviews, environmental factors under consideration and the complexity of Haiti's history since 1492 required more time. Project work continues with more research and the writing of the monograph. HAITI'S ENVIRONMENT exploited the abundant literature on Haiti to further knowledge of its little-known environmental history. Despite its completion, the project carries on investigating what led this once-vibrant country to become one of the world's poorest today.
Keywords
Haiti, environmental history, environment
