For anyone inclined to caricature environmental history as 'environmental determinism,' the contrasting histories of the Dominican Republic and Haiti provide a useful antidote. Yes, environmental problems do constrain human societies, but the societies' responses also make a difference.
Jared DiamondAll recognized famous inventors had capable predecessors and successors and made their improvements at a time when society was capable of using their product.
Jared DiamondWhy is it that you white people developed so much cargo and brought it to New Guinea, but we black people had little cargo of our own?
Jared DiamondRecent discoveries about apes suggest, however, that a gorilla or common chimp stands at least as good a chance being murdered as the average human.
Jared DiamondThe metaphor is so obvious. Easter Island isolated in the Pacific Ocean — once the island got into trouble, there was no way they could get free. There was no other people from whom they could get help. In the same way that we on Planet Earth, if we ruin our own [world], we won't be able to get help.
Jared Diamond