雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'environmental determinism' has long been a subject of debate among geographers. Early proponents, such as Ellsworth Huntington, argued that climate and topography directly shape human behavior and societal development. However, this perspective was heavily criticized in the mid-20th century for its simplistic assumptions and potential to justify colonialism. Modern scholars now favor 'possibilism', which posits that while the environment imposes constraints, human agency and technological innovation can overcome many of these limitations. This shift reflects a broader recognition of the complex, bidirectional relationship between humans and their environment, where cultural values and political structures also play pivotal roles in shaping landscapes and resource use.