Environment and Society: A Critical Introduction

by Paul Robbins, John G. Hintz, Sarah A. Moore

A comprehensive yet accessible introduction to the conceptual tools used to explore real-world environmental problems  Environment and A Critical Introduction, Third Edition  demonstrates how theoretical approaches such as environmental ethics, political economy, and social construction work as conceptual tools to identify and clarify contemporary environmental issues. Assuming no background knowledge in the subject, this reader-friendly textbook uses clear language and engaging examples to first describe nine key conceptual tools, and then apply them to a variety of familiar objects―from bottled water and French fries to trees, wolves, and carbon dioxide. Throughout the text, highly accessible chapters provide insight into the relationship between the environment and present-day society.  Divided into two parts, the text begins by explaining major theoretical approaches for interpreting the environment-society relationship and discussing different perspectives about environmental problems. Part II examines a series of objects, each viewed through a sample of the theoretical tools from Part I, helping readers think critically about critical environmental topics such as deforestation, climate change, the global water supply, and hazardous e-waste. This fully revised third edition stresses a wider range of competing ways of thinking about environmental issues and features additional cases studies, up-to-date conceptual understandings, and new chapters in Part I on racializd environments and feminist approaches . Environment and A Critical Introduction, Third   Retaining the innovative approach of its predecessors,  Environment and A Critical Introduction, Third Edition  remains the ideal textbook for courses in environmental issues, environmental science, and nature and society theory. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, School, Textbooks, Science, Geography

400 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2010

Reviews

[ameya]

I don't support textbooks, but for a textbook it was easily comprehensible, and as a bonus it was included in my tuition.

[Lilia Anderson]

This was a great read for me. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the environment, environmental degradation, and the ways of thinking that surround it all! I learned so much about the frameworks used to discuss environmental issues and the objects of concern associated with them. I normally hate nonfiction / textbooks when they are not about royal families, so this was a pleasant surprise!

[Wendelle]

Prof Paul Robbins is well-known as a pioneering geographer and public intellectual and this textbook is reflective of his caliber. As a reader I didn't just get a bunch of defined concepts, I got a chance to review my worldviews. For instance throughout the first part of the book, I came to learn how empirical proof has come to challenge famous theories that seem logically sound and intelligent, such as the concept of 'the population bomb' and 'the tragedy of the commons'. Both examples arrive at pessimistic conclusions about the effects of unregulated human behavior (or reproduction) on the environment. But real-world counterexamples have shown that both are inaccurate models of real life, and we can in fact trust human nature at times to behave correctly with regard to the environment: rising human population has been intertwined with rising frugality and innovation when it comes to use of natural resources, and dozens of farming and fishing communities around the globe have independently developed ways of communal behavior that preserve the vitality and renewability of their 'commons'. This shows us that no theories are indisputable or allowed to guide policy without constant review against proof of situations in real life.

The second part of the book is the authors' application of the concepts introduced in the first part on real-world examples, such as the economic geography of french fries, and allows practice using geographical study on world issues. I think it is a very good book where the authors worked hard to let the students reflect about conventional theories and discover counterexamples.

[Mickie]

An interesting textbook for and environmental course. It weaves together different viewpoints and social theories, then follows by analyzing various topics (lawns, wolves, water bottles, etc.). It's well written to stay interesting even though it's a textbook.

[Erin Langley]

Easy to read, great content.

[Teena]

Excellent and informative. The "Objects of Concern" chapters are the best.

[Linda]

Excellent textbook. Presented from an ethics perspective.

[Waverly Fisher]

For class

[Noella]

Read as course literature #didntreadthisfornothing

[Ryan]

It's a textbook. Woo hoo,

[Julieanne Thompson]

Up to date issues presented in an understandable way. The chapters are snappy, present various views and ideas. Very readable. Will be purchasing this book soon

[Bella]

limited analysis without offering solutions to the problems it talked about