Sustainability: If It's Everything, Is It Nothing? / Edition 2

by Heather M. Farley, Zachary A. Smith

Overview

In this second edition, the authors present new developments in the sustainability discussion and argue that a new understanding of sustainability is needed if we are to truly serve future generations ecologically, economically, and equitably.

Despite the great flurry of activity around sustainability, the concept itself remains highly contested. This book argues that a new conceptualization of sustainability is needed if we are to achieve a healthful and sustainable environment for the long term. The authors examine the uses, misuses, and abuses of sustainability, and provide case studies of faux sustainability in practice. Seeking to redefine and clarify the concept and its application, they offer a new definition of sustainability - what they call neo-sustainability - to help guide policies and practices that respect the primacy of the environment, the natural limits of the environment, and the relationship between environmental, social, and economic systems.

Offering a comprehensive view of sustainability, this text is essential reading for all students and scholars in the field. It will also be of interest to environmental professionals and activists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815357155
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/20/2020
Series:	Critical Issues in Global Politics
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Heather M. Farley is an Assistant Professor of Public Management at the College of Coastal Georgia, USA. She has held roles as a former University Sustainability Coordinator and a Researcher at Northern Arizona University and a Sustainability Coordinator for Sea Island in coastal Georgia.

Zachary A. Smith is a Regents’ Professor of Environmental and Natural Resources Policy and Administration in the Department of Politics and International Affairs at Northern Arizona University, USA.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. A Brief History of Sustainability 2. Multidisciplinary Ways of Defining Sustainability 3. A Review of the Literature on Sustainability and its definitions 4. Government Responses to the Sustainability Challenge 5. Non-governmental Institutions and Sustainability 6. Neo-Sustainability Conclusions

Editorial Reviews

Heather Farley and Zachary A. Smith bring a desperately needed critique to the notions and politics of sustainability that is absolutely necessary if we are to achieve anything remotely livable for the future. Sustainability is an idea that no-one wants to disagree with, but which few are willing to confront serious trade-offs in the status quo in business, government and even in civil society. This text is a forceful tonic for a very sick patient.

Peter Jacques (author of Environmental Skepticism: Ecology, Power, and Public Life by Ashgate, and coauthor with Sharon Ridgeway of The Power of the Talking Stick: Indigenous Politics and the World Ecological Crisis by Paradigm).

From the Publisher