Any discussion of contemporary environmental crises, which arise from the interaction of the humanities with the environment, can be a delicate discussion. Many international reports and conferences indicate that global environmental problems are intensifying (Bailes, 1985) . An 18th-century German writer summed up our predicament when he said: "We are embraced by nature and are powerless to separate ourselves from it" (Bailes, 1985), which is representative of the essential character of nature. human interaction with nature. not only for our survival, but for the maintenance of nature itself. Environmental history as a discipline itself is relatively new, but its roots go back to the beginning of recorded history in any writing recording and discussing environmental issues resulting from humanity's interaction with the environment (Skabelund , 2001). It is essentially the culmination of written observance relating to the relationship between human society and the natural environment throughout recorded history (Bailes, 1985). I believe that by appreciating the role of environmental history in reforming our relationship with the environment, we gain a better understanding of modern environmental issues. This essay will focus on the issue of flooding in Australia, with emphasis on the Brisbane floods of 2011. Flooding of populated areas in Australia has become such an inherent event that it is expected every year during the wet season . This is due to a mix of facts: the severe rainy season, which runs from March to April and October to November, includes cyclones and heavy monsoon rains (Govt, 2013), as well as the composition of the majority of Australian coasts under development. due to their great real estate potential...... middle of paper ......DO 1974. Brisbane FloodMOORE, T. 2013. Grantham relocation saved 'tens of millions' [Online]. Available: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/grantham-home-relocation-saved-tens-of-millions-20130204-2dut3.html.MURRAY, L. 2011. Floods in Australia 2010-2011 [ Online ]. encyclopedia britannica Available: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/new-plan-to-save-brisbane-from-floods/story-fn3dxiwe-1226870508349NORMAN, B. 2013. smart planning for growth can minimize dietary risks [Online]. Available: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4492512.html.QLD., CS 2012. How to manage flood risks? [Online]. qld. Available: How do we manage flood risks? SEQWATER 2012. Wivenhoe dam. SKABELUND, A. 2001. A basic guide to environmental history resources [Online]. Available: http://www.columbia.edu/~hds2/BIB95/00environment_skabelund.htm#introd.