In The Emergence of the Environmental Humanities Robert Emmett and David Nye introduce environmental humanities as well as advocate for the importance of why we should pay attention to what is happening. Instead of just explaining what environmental humanities is and what kind of research they can present, they address a big problem right in the beginning—which is getting people to listen to what they have to say and figuring out a way to entice people to care about it.

For starters, Emmett and Nye explain that “…scholars and writers are breaking down academic barriers between the humanities and the sciences, even as these separations are being breached in the larger society.”(6) Pointing out the division between science and humanities that is beyond academic, put to the public. This separation has been an ongoing issue and bridge between the two is needed to further push the importance of environmental humanities. Especially if this study is to be taken seriously, not only those representing this should be involved but those who are still learning about it as well.

They continue to explain that the kind of approach is a delicacy in its own way stating, “Major global financial and development agencies now recognize that addressing the public requires value systems and registries of information that are more nuanced than conventional date”(8) While they understand that their data is major, looking at numbers and facts is not the only way that will increase the awareness for environmental humanities. As they mention, “They demand broad thinking, teamwork across the disciplines, and knowledge that is affective, or emotionally potent, in order to be effective or capable of mobilizing social adaptation.”(8) In this last sentence they communicate that being affective goes hand in hand with effectiveness in this situation. In order to achieve the attention they want, touching the emotions of people plays a big role in the adaptation of environmental humanities. Emotions is ultimately what is going to get people interested, especially if they feel connected to the situation because it could be affecting their own life. Which can be a selfish way of thinking, but humans can be quite self centered and not care about what is going on around them unless it is directly affecting them.