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The Environmental Endgame: Mainstream Economics, Ecological Disaster, and Human Survival
For decades, scholars have warned of an impending global environmental crisis. Yet politicians, particularly in the United States, have consistently shown that they are not taking the threat seriously. Initiatives aimed at protecting the planet are commonly seen as belonging to a category unto themselves-the preserve of scientists and environmental enthusiasts.
In this groundbreaking book, Robert L. Nadeau warns that we have moved menacingly close to a global environmental catastrophe and that to evade this fate we must stop drawing a distinction between issues that are "environmental" or "scientific" and those that reside in the sphere of "real life." Although scientists have attempted to bring ecological concerns to the forefront of global issues, problems are rarely communicated in ways that can be readily understood by those outside the scientific community.
Bringing together perspectives from a variety of disciplines, including economics, politics, biology, and the history of science, The Environmental Endgame articulates the concerns of scientists in a way that they become the real-life, tangible concerns of people around the world. Nadeau asserts that we have entered a new phase of human history that cannot be one of separation and division but must be one of cooperation and mutual goals.
Nadeau demonstrates that our current governmental and financial institutions, based on neoclassical economics, lack the mechanisms for implementing viable solutions to large-scale crises. Such steps cannot be taken without moving beyond the power politics of the nation-state system. The book concludes with a call to view the natural world as part of humanity, not separate from it. This unifying worldview would be a catalyst for implementing the international government organizations necessary to resolving the crisis.
The Environmental Endgame is an ambitious and timely book that will change the way we think about our economy, our government, and the environment. It should be read by everyone who cares about the pervasive neglect and abuse of planet Earth and wants to know what can be done about it.
In this groundbreaking book, Robert L. Nadeau warns that we have moved menacingly close to a global environmental catastrophe and that to evade this fate we must stop drawing a distinction between issues that are "environmental" or "scientific" and those that reside in the sphere of "real life." Although scientists have attempted to bring ecological concerns to the forefront of global issues, problems are rarely communicated in ways that can be readily understood by those outside the scientific community.
Bringing together perspectives from a variety of disciplines, including economics, politics, biology, and the history of science, The Environmental Endgame articulates the concerns of scientists in a way that they become the real-life, tangible concerns of people around the world. Nadeau asserts that we have entered a new phase of human history that cannot be one of separation and division but must be one of cooperation and mutual goals.
Nadeau demonstrates that our current governmental and financial institutions, based on neoclassical economics, lack the mechanisms for implementing viable solutions to large-scale crises. Such steps cannot be taken without moving beyond the power politics of the nation-state system. The book concludes with a call to view the natural world as part of humanity, not separate from it. This unifying worldview would be a catalyst for implementing the international government organizations necessary to resolving the crisis.
The Environmental Endgame is an ambitious and timely book that will change the way we think about our economy, our government, and the environment. It should be read by everyone who cares about the pervasive neglect and abuse of planet Earth and wants to know what can be done about it.
- GenresEnvironment
232 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
19 people want to read
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April 7, 2022
I so WANTED this to be good. And intellectually, it is deep, insightful, intellectual, and probably pretty accurate (notwithstanding that it's already quite dated; ah, the ravages of time...) though somewhat unrealistic in its closing chapter recommendation for the world. And owing to the fact that it is dated, it's unfortunate to see how badly the world has failed since when the author penned this work.
But... It was difficult at best, and despite the uniqueness of the author's premises (devastating the entire basis for modern economic theory - and may I say, he has a good point), it was just not enjoyable to read. From an academic standpoint, solid if controversial. From a readership standpoint, a struggle. Maybe that's a reflection on me, and if so, I'll take my hit where due.
I rarely dish out any rating below three stars, but I'm doing so just to flag that one should think twice before picking this up expecting an invigorating discussion on how to move ahead against the world's environmental challenges.
But... It was difficult at best, and despite the uniqueness of the author's premises (devastating the entire basis for modern economic theory - and may I say, he has a good point), it was just not enjoyable to read. From an academic standpoint, solid if controversial. From a readership standpoint, a struggle. Maybe that's a reflection on me, and if so, I'll take my hit where due.
I rarely dish out any rating below three stars, but I'm doing so just to flag that one should think twice before picking this up expecting an invigorating discussion on how to move ahead against the world's environmental challenges.
Displaying 1 of 1 review