Introduces the readers to political ecology and summaries the various findings. This title covers topics on the political ecology of war and the disaster state; fuelling capitalism - energy scarcity and abundance; global governance of health, bodies, and genomics; the contradictions of global food; and, more.
The world is caught in the mesh of a series of environmental crises. So far attempts at resolving the deep basis of these have been superficial and disorganized. Global Political Ecology links the political economy of global capitalism with the political ecology of a series of environmental disasters and failed attempts at environmental policies.
This critical volume draws together contributions from twenty-five leading intellectuals in the field. It begins with an introductory chapter that introduces the readers to political ecology and summarizes the books main findings. The following seven sections cover topics on the political ecology of war and the disaster state; fuelling capitalism: energy scarcity and abundance; global governance of health, bodies, and genomics; the contradictions of global food; capital's marginal product: effluents, waste, and garbage; water as a commodity, a human right, and power; the functions and dysfunctions of the global green economy; political ecology of the global climate, and carbon emissions.
This book contains accounts of the main currents of thought in each area that bring the topics completely up-to-date. The individual chapters contain a theoretical introduction linking in with the main themes of political ecology, as well as empirical information and case material. Global Political Ecology serves as a valuable reference for students interested in political ecology, environmental justice, and geography.
"Global Political Ecology is a critical book at a critical time. Political ecology has come of age and established global stature. A timely and important book. Read it!" Professor Piers Blaikie, University of East Anglia.
"This is an important and provocative volume that relates key themes in political ecology to the political economy of global capitalism and policy failure. It breaks new ground by addressing topics vital to understanding contemporary social and environmental crises that have hitherto not received due attention. Certain to be a landmark text in the field." Professor Raymond Bryant, King's College London
"Global environmental problems, from climate change to the food we eat, loom heavily over us while policy makers fiddle with environmental agreements that ignore the sources of these burning issues. Global Political Ecology speaks to our anxieties by drawing attention to the political economic contexts and sites of knowledge production in which all roads seem to lead to market-based solutions. This superb text offers a conceptual and theoretical toolkit that will empower students of global environmental change to shape alternative political ecologies." Professor Thomas J. Bassett, University of Illinois.
