Reclaiming the Environmental Debate: The Politics of Health in a Toxic Culture (Urban and Industrial Environments) [Paperback]

Richard Hofrichter (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Urban and Industrial Environments | Publication Date: May 15, 2000

An expanding array of hazardous substances poses an increasing threat to public health. But what makes our society a toxic culture are the social arrangements that encourage and excuse the deterioration of human health and the environment. Elements of toxic culture include the unquestioned production of hazardous wastes, economic blight, substandard housing, chronic stress, exploitative working conditions, and dangerous technologies. Toxic culture is also a metaphor for the ways our language, concepts, and values frame debates, ignoring the political conflicts and power relations that influence public health.Reflecting a diversity of voices and critical perspectives, the essays in this book range from critiques of traditional thinking and practices to strategies for shifting public consciousness to create healthy communities. Rather than emphasize policy reform, medical advances, and individual behavior, the essays stress the causes of ill health associated with the production, use, and disposal of resources and, more important, inequality. The contributors include academics, political activists, and artists. Connecting the essays are a recognition of the political and cultural dynamics that influence public health and a commitment to organize against the powerful interests that perpetuate our toxic culture.Contributors : Robin Andersen, Mary Arquette, Marcy Darnovsky, Giovanna Di Chiro, John Bellamy Foster, Mindy Thompson Fullilove, Robert E. Fullilove, III, Al Gedicks, Richard Hofrichter, Joshua Karliner, Charles Levenstein, Timothy W. Luke, Rafael Mares, Branda Miller, Mary H. O'Brien, John O'Neal, Sheldon Rampton, William Shutkin, John Stauber, Sandra Steingraber, Alice Tarbell, John Wooding.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Many people feel in the bones that America has become a toxicculture, self-destructive and dispirited. But few have any idea what to doabout it. This wonderful volume—a little gem, really—is filled with startlingperspectives, innovative thinking, and good ideas for fixing what's gonewrong." Peter Montague, Editor, Rachel's Environment & Health Weekly

About the Author

Richard Hofrichter is a writer and social critic. He is the editor of Toxic Struggles: The Theory and Practice of Environmental Justice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 366 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262581825
• ISBN-13: 978-0262581820
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,465,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, November 28, 2010

By 

sebastian - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reclaiming the Environmental Debate: The Politics of Health in a Toxic Culture (Urban and Industrial Environments) (Paperback)

This book is awesome. It details the environmental debate from so many different angles. I could not put the book down.