Environmentally Significant Consumption: Research Directions - Softcover

National Research Council; Division Of Behavioral And Social Sciences And Education; Board On Environmental Change And Society; Committee On The Human Dimensions Of Global Change

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0309055989 ISBN 13: 9780309055987

Publisher: National Academies Press, 1997

Synopsis

There has been much polemic about affluence, consumption, and the global environment. For some observers, "consumption" is at the root of global environmental threats: wealthy individuals and societies use far too much of the earth's resource base and should scale back their appetites to preserve the environment for future generations and allow a decent life for the rest of the world. Other observers see affluence as the way to escape environmental threats: economic development increases public pressure for environmental protection and makes capital available for environmentally benign technologies. The arguments are fed by conflicting beliefs, values, hopes, and fears--but surprisingly little scientific analysis.
This book demonstrates that the relationship of consumption to the environment needs careful analysis by environmental and social scientists and conveys some of the excitement of treating the issue scientifically. It poses the key empirical questions: Which kinds of consumption are environmentally significant? Which actors are responsible for that consumption? What forces cause or explain environmentally significant consumption? How can it be changed? The book presents studies that open up important issues for empirical study: Are there any signs of saturation in the demand for travel in wealthy countries? What is the relationship between environmental consumption and human well-being? To what extent do people in developing countries emulate American consumption styles? The book also suggests broad strategies that scientists and research sponsors can use to better inform future debates about the environment, development, and consumption.

Table of Contents

• FRONT MATTER
• 1 CONSUMPTION AS A PROBLEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
• 2 TOWARD A WORKING DEFINITION OF CONSUMPTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND POLICY
• 3 TRACKING THE FLOWS OF ENERGY AND MATERIALS
• 4 EXAMINING THE DRIVING FORCES
• 5 STRATEGIES FOR SETTING RESEARCH PRIORITIES
• ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS

About this title

About the Author

Paul C. Stern, Thomas Dietz, Vernon W. Ruttan, Robert H. Socolow, and James L. Sweeney, Editors; Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Change, National Research Council

Edition details

• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0309055989
• ISBN 13: 9780309055987
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 152
• Editor: Sweeney James L., Socolow Robert H., Ruttan Vernon W., Dietz Thomas, Stern Paul C.