6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great collection of environmental studies articles, June 9, 2008
This review is from: Environment: An Interdisciplinary Anthology (Paperback)
One of the difficulties of the field we call "environmental studies" is that seemingly everything and anything is included within its scope. What aspect of humanities, social science, biology, chemistry, engineering, economics, et cetera, is NOT affected by and influencing the environment?
This book, useful as a text in an introductory environmental studies course, makes this point very clear. The authors state in their introductory comments, "Environmental Studies establishes knowledge of special natural phenomena and specific human institutional beliefs and practices. It then mediates between them. Environmental Studies characterizes complex natural conditions on Earth and describes the interface of human with non-human activity" (p. 2).
In additional, "A working description of Environmental Studies thus involves several levels. First, Environmental Studies pursues and draws upon individual disciplines to understand the constituent elements of larger problems and solutions. Then, to grasp and define such problems and issues, Environmental Studies combines the results of an appropriate set of these disciplines and may even foster new ones. Finally, in practical terms, Environmental Studies brings together relevant disciplines and concepts to address environmental issues and to resolve [or attempt to resolve] environmental problems" (p. 3).
What are these environmental problems, and potential solutions?
You've got 950 pages of them in this book.
All of the many readings are rather short (2-3 pages). Sometimes, this is because the article itself was short. Other times, the editors have whittled the article to its fundamentals. still in the original author's own words, but edited for brevity.
The authors focus on 10 interconnected issues:
- climate shock
- species in danger
- nuclear power
- biotechnology and GMOs
- sustainable development
- deforestation
- war and peace
- globalization
- wilderness
- the urban environment
That's part one. Part two discusses "foundational disciplines and topics":
- biological interactions (biodiversity, soil and agriculture, air and water, energy, and toxicology)
- human dimensions (the "inner life"; ethics, philosophy, and gender; poetry; history; and nature writing)
- social connections (politics and public policy, law and environmental justice, economics, human population, and anthropology)
- conviction and action
The topics above are also coordinated with the 10 general topics, so the reader can "see" the interdisciplinary nature of problem definitions and solutions.
From the biblical chapter of Genesis, to Silent Spring, to Chief Seattle's speech, and all the way to the environmental root and consequences of war, this volume has material of interest to all.
Very readable, interesting, well-organized, and highly recommended.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Read & Excellent Resource, December 25, 2008
This review is from: Environment: An Interdisciplinary Anthology (Paperback)
This book is a compilation of highly readable selections about humans and the natural world. It includes excerpts from the best classic and current writings in the field. I had feared it would be too technical, but it has quickly become one of my favorite reads and reference sources.
I'm a resource manager and also teach a survey course in environmental science. It's impossible to be an expert in environmental science, because the world we live in is far beyond our comprehension. As I tell students, studying the environment should be humbling. We earthlings know just enough about the earth to be dangerous, until we learn to manage ourselves and our societies.
This volume brings human and technical perspectives on the environment together, from the perpectives of history, anthropology, forestry, agriculture, engineering, theology, biology, medicine and other disciplines. Enjoy!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Environmental Book that Makes Sense to All Parties, January 15, 2011
This review is from: Environment: An Interdisciplinary Anthology (Paperback)
Environment: An Interdisciplinary Anthology is an excellent overview of all sides of the conversation about the environment today and in America's past. Its relatively short, very, very readable collection of essays gives readers a history of the issues, how the U.S. came to the place we are today with environmental groups opposing "working" groups and industry that must use the earth's resources to grow their industry and the economy. Common sense, poetry, humanity, economic insight, philosophy, realism, and idealism --all these and more characterize this book's balanced approach to readings about the environment.
Moreover, the editors' preface explains the 3 sections of the book and ways to read the 10 Case Studies with Interconnections and Discipline-specific readings. Don't try to read the book cover-to-cover. Follow their suggestions. My students in a Green Writing college course really like this book. It is so accessible to all kinds of readers and thinkers.
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