Beyond Sustainability: A Thriving Environment

by Tim Delaney, Tim Madigan

Overview

This book approaches the study of the environment from two academic disciplines: both sociologists and philosophers have concerns about our environment's ability not only to sustain itself but to thrive. The book examines the differences between "sustainability" and "thrivability." Such topics as the sixth mass extinction (now underway), fracking, plastics, food waste and deforestation are explored. The book also considers the skepticism about humans' being the cause of a deteriorating environment and details nature's adverse role in harming the environment. Finally, the text gives reasons why choosing a thrivability approach is not only (obviously) beneficial but quite possible, and discusses practical ways in which thrivability can be taught.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786479597
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	02/24/2014
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Tim Delaney is a professor of sociology at the State University of New York at Oswego. He teaches environmental sociology classes and is a member of SUNY Oswego's sustainability studies program. He lives in Auburn, New York. Tim Madigan is a professor and department chair of philosophy at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. A past president of the Northeast Popular Culture Association and a member of his college's Center for Sustainability, he teaches courses on environmental ethics.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vi

Preface 1

1 Environmental Thrivability, the Ecosystem and Mass Extinctions 5

2 Climate Change and Human Dependency on Fossil Fuels 26

3 Overpopulation and the Five Horrorists 48

4 Humans Will Be the Cause of the Sixth Mass Extinction 76

5 Humans Will Not Be the Cause of the Sixth Mass Extinction 103

6 Environmental Ethics and Thrivability 127

7 Helping the Environment Thrive 143

8 Happiness Is a Thriving Environment 172

9 We Can Change, but Will We Change? 193

10 Educating Thrivability 207

Bibliography 217

Index 233