ABSTRACT
One defining characteristic of the work of Harold Brookfield on environmental problems in developing countries was a disdain for unsophisticated generalizations and a preference for detailed, local empiricism. The objective was not to emphasize description at the expense of theory, but to develop a more contextual and deeper understanding of human relationships and environmental change. This approach influenced two widespread themes of research: the analysis of local people’s strategies and innovations for adapting to environmental change, and a focus on the political factors that shape environmental science. Together, these debates have highlighted the importance of both treating common generalizations about environmental change critically and involving diverse social groups and sources of information in understanding environmental change.
