Toxic modernity

Large-scale metal production in seventeenth-century Scandinavia, exemplified by the Falun Copper Mine, left a legacy of toxic waste that reshaped local landscapes and communities. This study reveals how the early modern demand for metals contributed to environmental degradation across Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Sápmi, serving as a foundation for towns like Falun. By analyzing the local significance of metal production alongside its global connections—including ties to the slave trade and plantation economy—the research redefines the Scandinavian experience as pivotal in the emergence of modernity and globalization. The findings challenge conventional narratives by highlighting the profound environmental and social impacts of early industrialization.

Nordin, J. M. (2020). Toxic modernity. The Scandinavian Early Modern World, 239–251. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429328176-9