This book explores some of the conditions and underlying causes of the multiple environmental crises facing humanity. Rooted in anthropology, but multidisciplinary in scope, it surveys the socio-cultural and socio-economic errors, foibles, and follies that brought us to these circumstances.
This book explores some of the conditions and underlying causes of the multiple environmental crises facing humanity. Rooted in anthropology, but multidisciplinary in scope, it surveys the many socio-cultural and socio-economic errors, foibles, and follies that brought us to these circumstances. Crucially and uniquely, it outlines an array of viable and practical solutions, some of which are radically different from the current status quo and cultural expectations. The first chapter canvasses the emerging, interdisciplinary field of political ecology, then Part I examines details and trends in agriculture. Part II portrays the threats posed by carbon dependent and combustive technologies as well as the hydro and nuclear energy systems now powering the majority of human actions in developed parts of the world and expanding beyond. The third part turns to consider solutions, including green new deals, de-growth policies, localization, agroecology, alternative energy systems, and many more possibilities. The conclusions engage with urgent moral and legal issues and outline social movement strategiesall related to our collective neglect of climate changeand then finally speculate upon possible futures. This book is key reading for researchers and students interested in climate change across the social and physical sciences and humanities.
Recenzijos
"Ervins personal engagement as both a scholar and activist adds authenticity and depth to the discourse which reflects a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary perspectives. This makes the book accessible not only to academics in environmental studies, political science, and anthropology but also to policymakers, activists, and students seeking to understand and address climate change comprehensively."
- Historis Soterman Halawa & Irvan Renaldi in Journal of Human Development and Capabilities
Chapter 1What is Political Ecology?; Part I: Agriculture;
Chapter
2Overview of Global Food Production: Pressures to Industrialize;
Chapter
3Field Crops: Grains and Soy;
Chapter 4 Livestock Production;
Chapter 5Who
Really "Feeds a Hungry World"? Part II: Energy;
Chapter 6Coal;
Chapter 7The
Devils ExcrementPetroleum;
Chapter 8Hydroelectric and Irrigation Dams;
Chapter 9Uranium and Nuclear Power: The Case Against; Part III: Solutions;
Chapter 10Transforming our Political Economies and Dealing with the Issue of
Constant Growth;
Chapter 11Some Solutions in Agriculture;
Chapter
12Renewable Energy Solutions; Part IV: Conclusions;
Chapter 13The Big Moral
Question;
Chapter 14What Might Happen Next?
Alexander M. Ervin (PhD Illinois) is Professor Emeritus, Anthropology, University of Saskatchewan where he taught and researched for 51 years. His specialities include environmental anthropology, socio-cultural change, and applied anthropology. He is a past president of the Society for Applied Anthropology. His books include Canadian Perspectives in Cultural Anthropology (2001), Applied Anthropology: Tools and Perspectives for Contemporary Practice (2005) and Cultural Transformations and Globalization: Theory, Development, and Social Change (2015).