An Introduction To The Green Economy

Extraordinarily comprehensive in its interdisciplinary scope based on environmental science, this textbook draws on ecology, geography, social science, psychology, sustainability science, law and economics. It becomes clear that there is no single agreed definition of a green economy but rather a number of different approaches. There is a good historical background and a comparison with sustainable development. The chapter on sustainability science is exemplary, explaining important concepts such as resilience, tipping points, critical loads and planetary boundaries as well as the nature of systems thinking. Individual chapters discuss climate change and carbon management, biodiversity and ecosystem services, green technology and renewable energy, environmental law and social justice. Overfishing of cod is given as an example of ecosystem collapse and the principles of environmental law are explained as practical policy options. As well as a lengthy bibliography of primary sources at the end of each chapter, there are reflection points throughout, and the final two chapters are devoted to the green economy in practice and the outlook for the green economy. This covers agriculture, forests, fisheries, water management, urban development, green tourism and sustainable consumption and production. The first such text dates from 1989, and it is extraordinary how much progress has been made in the field since then. For anyone seriously interested in the field, this book is essential reading.