Degradation of the biosphere is tied directly to human energy use, which has been increasing exponentially since the Industrial Revolution. Energy use, in turn, is directly correlated with economic production. Sayre shows how these three factors are invariably bound together. The unavoidable conclusion is that the only way to resolve our environmental crisis is to reverse the present pattern of growth in the world economy.
Economic growth is motivated by social values. Key among them are the desire for wealth and consumer values including gratification, convenience, and acquisition of goods. Sayre maintains that economic growth can be reversed only by eliminating these social values in favor of others more conducive to environmental health. Eliminating these values will involve major changes in lifestyle within industrial societies generally. Only with such changes in lifestyle, he argues, does human society as we know it have a chance of survival.
Clearly written and thoroughly documented, this book provides a comprehensive overview of our complex environmental predicament.
Degradation of the biosphere is tied directly to human energy use, which has been increasing exponentially since the Industrial Revolution. Energy use, in turn, is directly correlated with economic production. Sayre shows how these three factors are invariably bound together. The unavoidable conclusion is that the only way to resolve our environmental crisis is to reverse the present pattern of growth in the world economy.
Economic growth is motivated by social values. Key among them are the desire for wealth and consumer values including gratification, convenience, and acquisition of goods. Sayre maintains that economic growth can be reversed only by eliminating these social values in favor of others more conducive to environmental health. Eliminating these values will involve major changes in lifestyle within industrial societies generally. Only with such changes in lifestyle, he argues, does human society as we know it have a chance of survival.
Clearly written and thoroughly documented, this book provides a comprehensive overview of our complex environmental predicament.
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Unearthed: The Economic Roots of Our Environmental Crisis
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Unearthed: The Economic Roots of Our Environmental Crisis
440Paperback(1st Edition)
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9780268041366 |
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Publisher: | University of Notre Dame Press |
Publication date: | 10/15/2010 |
Edition description: | 1st Edition |
Pages: | 440 |
Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d) |