Environment and Society: A Critical Introduction

by Paul Robbins, Sarah A. Moore, John Hintz

Environment and A Critical Introduction is an overview of the diverse conceptual tools and traditions for thinking about, explaining and addressing the environmental challenges we face in the contemporary world.

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

312 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