Alexander von Humboldt is considered one of the fathers of modern environmentalism. He taught that all of nature was interconnected and warned about humanity’s ability to negatively impact the environment through their interference with nature.

For example, while visiting Lake Valencia during an expedition to South America, Humboldt—observing the ecological devastation caused by deforestation—developed his conception that humans could induce climate change and destroy ecosystems.

Humboldt’s work had a profound impact on future naturalists and the fields of ecology and geoscience. Learn more about Humboldt’s environmental legacy as part of our #EarthOptimism series exploring important contributors to conservation history https://s.si.edu/3cs7Zke 

Thanks to Laurel Byrnes, BHL outreach volunteer at @silibraries, for contributing this post as part of our #EarthOptimism series.