Climate Justice: Ethics, Energy, and Public Policy [Paperback]

James B. Martin-Schramm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2010

Energy issues and climate change have loomed up from issues at the horizon to confront humanity directly and vitally. They are now pressing public-policy challenges of monumental scale and import. James Martin-Schramm draws on decades of involvement with ethics, public policy, and environmental ethics to provide this lucid and astute analysis of the problems and options for addressing energy and climate change.

Schramm argues that reliance on fossil fuels has produced grave threats to justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. Addressing these threats requires of Christians not simply new individual sensitivities and sacrifices but a new way of living in harmony with the earth and an earnest search for policy that fosters sustainability, reflects values of equity and fairness, and operates on a scale commensurate with the problems. Martin-Schramm proposes a full analysis of the problems and causes of our situation and real principles for an ethic of ecojustice. He also provides specific assessment of norms, policy options, and recommendations in the areas of energy and climate change and a glimpse of what a workable alternative might look like, globally and locally.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is an excellent example of the literature coming out of committed church circles dealing with the most important issues facing humanity today. Because churchmen are free to ignore disciplinary boundaries and the demand to be value-free that characterize the academy, they are producing the most valuable writings on these topics. Martin-Schramm is thoroughly informed, theologically grounded, and ethically sensitive. Would that millions of Christians would use this book to inform themselves. Would that political leaders would be guided by Martin-Schramm's wisdom!" --John B. Cobb Jr., Professor Emeritus, Claremont School of Theology

"Climate Justice is an immensely helpful book, summarizing with pertinent detail for Christians and others the facts about climate change within an ethical framework of ecological justice. His careful analysis of both the facts and their ethical implications is a gradualist one, believing that, in his own words, 'we must not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.' Anyone looking for a one-volume, in-depth introduction to climate change and ethics will value this book." --Sallie McFague, Distinguished Theologian in Residence, Vancouver School of Theology

"Martin-Schramm's volume could hardly be more timely or substantive! Energy, food, and water, all in the face of climate change, is this century's daunting agenda. That this work is theologically and morally focused on energy and climate justice also takes it well beyond most treatments of energy policies and possibilities." --Larry Rasmussen, Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics Emeritus, Union Theological Seminary

About the Author

James B. Martin-Schramm is Professor of Religion at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. As research chair in the Center for Ethics and Public Life, Martin-Schram has authored policy studies and statements for several denominational and Non-governmental Organizations. He is author of Population Perils and the Churches' Response (1997) and editor with Robert Stivers of Christian Environmental Ethics: A Case-Study Approach (2003).

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Press (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800663624
• ISBN-13: 978-0800663629
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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