Sandalwood and Human Beings: A Perspective of Environmental History

Abstract

This study is to examine the interaction between humans and sandalwood from the perspective of environmental history. Sandalwood was originally an ordinary plant in nature, growing naturally. When it was discovered and used by human beings, sandalwood was brought into the world of human history. In the long history of human interaction with sandalwood, it has been placed on the consumption end, trade end, and production end, and has formed a good or bad relationship between man and nature. Based on historical documents, records and previous research results, this study uses the method of document analysis to explain the interactive relationship between human and sandalwood, so as to reveal the relationship between man and nature. We found that, the interaction between people and sandalwood has roughly gone through the stages of “the natural consumption of satisfying life”, “excessive consumption of chasing profit”, “protective consumption of promoting sustainable development”. It is also revealed that human beings constantly reflect on themselves and actively seek the sustainable way to live in harmony with nature.