Andrew Dobson
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- April 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780199258444
- eISBN:
- 9780191601002
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199258449.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Environmental Politics
Ecological citizenship cannot be fully articulated in either liberal or civic republican terms. It is, rather, an example and an inflection of ‘post‐cosmopolitan’ citizenship. Ecological citizenship ...
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Ecological citizenship cannot be fully articulated in either liberal or civic republican terms. It is, rather, an example and an inflection of ‘post‐cosmopolitan’ citizenship. Ecological citizenship focuses on duties as well as rights, and its conception of political space is not the state or the municipality, or the ideal speech community of cosmopolitanism, but the ‘ecological footprint’.Ecological citizenship contrasts with fiscal incentives as a way of encouraging people to act more sustainably, in the belief that the former is more compatible with the long‐term and deeper shifts of attitude and behaviour that sustainability requires. This book offers an original account of the relationship between liberalism and sustainability, arguing that the former's commitment to a plurality of conceptions of the good entails a commitment to so‐called ‘strong’ forms of the latter.How to make an ecological citizen? The potential of formal high school citizenship education programmes is examined through a case study of the recent implementation of the compulsory citizenship curriculum in the UK.Less
Ecological citizenship cannot be fully articulated in either liberal or civic republican terms. It is, rather, an example and an inflection of ‘post‐cosmopolitan’ citizenship. Ecological citizenship focuses on duties as well as rights, and its conception of political space is not the state or the municipality, or the ideal speech community of cosmopolitanism, but the ‘ecological footprint’.
Ecological citizenship contrasts with fiscal incentives as a way of encouraging people to act more sustainably, in the belief that the former is more compatible with the long‐term and deeper shifts of attitude and behaviour that sustainability requires. This book offers an original account of the relationship between liberalism and sustainability, arguing that the former's commitment to a plurality of conceptions of the good entails a commitment to so‐called ‘strong’ forms of the latter.
How to make an ecological citizen? The potential of formal high school citizenship education programmes is examined through a case study of the recent implementation of the compulsory citizenship curriculum in the UK.
Robin Leichenko and Karen O'Brien
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195177329
- eISBN:
- 9780199869800
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195177329.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
This book explores the connections between two of the most transformative processes of the 21st century, namely global environmental change and globalization. It presents a conceptual framework for ...
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This book explores the connections between two of the most transformative processes of the 21st century, namely global environmental change and globalization. It presents a conceptual framework for analyzing the interactions between these two processes, and illustrates, through case studies, how these interactions create situations of “double exposure.” Drawing upon case studies largely related to climate change, the book shows how prominent recent and current environmental events — recurring droughts in India, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and the melting of the Arctic ice sheet — demonstrate different pathways of interaction between globalization and global environmental change. Each of these pathways shows how broader human security concerns, including increasing inequality, growing vulnerability, and unsustainable rates of development, are integrally connected to both processes of global change. The double exposure framework not only sheds light on the dangers associated with these two global processes, but also reveals possibilities for using the interactions to generate opportunities for positive action. The book ultimately challenges the ways that global environmental change and globalization are viewed and addressed. By drawing attention to double exposure, the book shows how integrated responses to global environmental change and globalization can create new types of synergies that promote sustainability and enhance human security.Less
This book explores the connections between two of the most transformative processes of the 21st century, namely global environmental change and globalization. It presents a conceptual framework for analyzing the interactions between these two processes, and illustrates, through case studies, how these interactions create situations of “double exposure.” Drawing upon case studies largely related to climate change, the book shows how prominent recent and current environmental events — recurring droughts in India, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and the melting of the Arctic ice sheet — demonstrate different pathways of interaction between globalization and global environmental change. Each of these pathways shows how broader human security concerns, including increasing inequality, growing vulnerability, and unsustainable rates of development, are integrally connected to both processes of global change. The double exposure framework not only sheds light on the dangers associated with these two global processes, but also reveals possibilities for using the interactions to generate opportunities for positive action. The book ultimately challenges the ways that global environmental change and globalization are viewed and addressed. By drawing attention to double exposure, the book shows how integrated responses to global environmental change and globalization can create new types of synergies that promote sustainability and enhance human security.
Philip Dawid, William Twining, and Mimi Vasilaki (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780197264843
- eISBN:
- 9780191754050
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197264843.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Methodology and Statistics
Evidence — its nature and interpretation — is the key to many topical debates and concerns such as global warming, evolution, the search for weapons of mass destruction, DNA profiling, and ...
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Evidence — its nature and interpretation — is the key to many topical debates and concerns such as global warming, evolution, the search for weapons of mass destruction, DNA profiling, and evidence-based medicine. In 2004, University College London launched a cross-disciplinary research programme ‘Evidence, Inference and Enquiry’ to explore the question: ‘Can there be an integrated multidisciplinary science of evidence?’ While this question was hotly contested and no clear final consensus emerged, much was learned on the journey. This book, based on the closing conference of the programme held at the British Academy in December 2007, illustrates the complexity of the subject, with seventeen chapters written from a diversity of perspectives including Archaeology, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Health, History, Law, Psychology, Philosophy, and Statistics. General issues covered include principles and systems for handling complex evidence, evidence for policy-making, and human evidence-processing, as well as the very possibility of systematising the study of evidence.Less
Evidence — its nature and interpretation — is the key to many topical debates and concerns such as global warming, evolution, the search for weapons of mass destruction, DNA profiling, and evidence-based medicine. In 2004, University College London launched a cross-disciplinary research programme ‘Evidence, Inference and Enquiry’ to explore the question: ‘Can there be an integrated multidisciplinary science of evidence?’ While this question was hotly contested and no clear final consensus emerged, much was learned on the journey. This book, based on the closing conference of the programme held at the British Academy in December 2007, illustrates the complexity of the subject, with seventeen chapters written from a diversity of perspectives including Archaeology, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Health, History, Law, Psychology, Philosophy, and Statistics. General issues covered include principles and systems for handling complex evidence, evidence for policy-making, and human evidence-processing, as well as the very possibility of systematising the study of evidence.
Dr Mitch Blair, Professor Sarah Stewart-Brown, Dr Tony Waterston, and Dr Rachel Crowther
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199547500
- eISBN:
- 9780191720123
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199547500.001.0001
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health
Despite children making up around a quarter of the population, the first edition of this book was the first to focus on a public health approach to the health and sickness of children and young ...
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Despite children making up around a quarter of the population, the first edition of this book was the first to focus on a public health approach to the health and sickness of children and young people. It combined clinical and academic perspectives to explore the current state of health of our children, the historical roots of the speciality, and the relationship between early infant and child health on later adult health. Child public health is a rapidly developing field, and is increasingly recognised throughout the world as a major area of focus for population health. Targeting the health of children now is essential if we are to achieve a healthy population as adults. For the second edition the text has been revised and updated with new material on health for all children, global warming, child participation, systems theory, refugees, commissioning, and sustainable development.Less
Despite children making up around a quarter of the population, the first edition of this book was the first to focus on a public health approach to the health and sickness of children and young people. It combined clinical and academic perspectives to explore the current state of health of our children, the historical roots of the speciality, and the relationship between early infant and child health on later adult health. Child public health is a rapidly developing field, and is increasingly recognised throughout the world as a major area of focus for population health. Targeting the health of children now is essential if we are to achieve a healthy population as adults. For the second edition the text has been revised and updated with new material on health for all children, global warming, child participation, systems theory, refugees, commissioning, and sustainable development.
Richard W. Miller
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199581986
- eISBN:
- 9780191723247
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199581986.001.0001
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind
The claim that people in developed countries have vast, unmet obligations to help people in developing countries is usually based on duties of kindness or a global extrapolation of justice among ...
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The claim that people in developed countries have vast, unmet obligations to help people in developing countries is usually based on duties of kindness or a global extrapolation of justice among compatriots. This book constructs a different basis, the need for responsible engagement in transnational interactions in which power is currently abused. After arguing for an undemanding principle of beneficence and deriving duties of justice among compatriots from their special relations, the book develops standards of responsible conduct in current global interactions that determine: what must be done to avoid exploitation in transnational manufacturing, what framework for world trade and investment would be fair, what response to the challenge of global warming is adequate and equitable, what responsibilities to help meet basic needs arise when foreign powers steer the course of development, and what obligations are created by uses of violence to sustain global power. Through detailed empirical inquiries, the book argues that there has been a massive failure to live up to these standards, creating demanding duties to avoid undue advantage and repair abuses of power, on the part of developed countries in general and especially the United States. The book describes policies that would meet these obligations, leading obstacles, and the role of social movements in reducing injustice, especially a global form of social democracy expressing the book's perspectiveLess
The claim that people in developed countries have vast, unmet obligations to help people in developing countries is usually based on duties of kindness or a global extrapolation of justice among compatriots. This book constructs a different basis, the need for responsible engagement in transnational interactions in which power is currently abused. After arguing for an undemanding principle of beneficence and deriving duties of justice among compatriots from their special relations, the book develops standards of responsible conduct in current global interactions that determine: what must be done to avoid exploitation in transnational manufacturing, what framework for world trade and investment would be fair, what response to the challenge of global warming is adequate and equitable, what responsibilities to help meet basic needs arise when foreign powers steer the course of development, and what obligations are created by uses of violence to sustain global power. Through detailed empirical inquiries, the book argues that there has been a massive failure to live up to these standards, creating demanding duties to avoid undue advantage and repair abuses of power, on the part of developed countries in general and especially the United States. The book describes policies that would meet these obligations, leading obstacles, and the role of social movements in reducing injustice, especially a global form of social democracy expressing the book's perspective
Alfred Greiner and Willi Semmler
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195328233
- eISBN:
- 9780199869985
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195328233.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Recently, the public attention has turned toward the intricate interrelation between economic growth and global warming. This book focuses on this nexus but broadens the framework to study the issue. ...
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Recently, the public attention has turned toward the intricate interrelation between economic growth and global warming. This book focuses on this nexus but broadens the framework to study the issue. Growth is seen as global growth, which affects the global environment and climate change. Global growth, in particular high economic growth rates, implies a fast depletion of renewable and non-renewable resources. Thus, this book deals with the impact of the environment and the effect of the exhaustive use of natural resources on economic growth and welfare of market economies, as well as the reverse linkage. It is arranged in three parts: Part I of the book discusses the environment and growth. The role of environmental pollution is integrated into modern endogenous growth models and recently developed dynamic methods and techniques are used to derive appropriate abatement activities that policymakers can institute. Part II looks at global climate change using these same growth models. Here, too, direct and transparent policy implications are provided. More specifically, tax measures, such as a carbon tax, are favored over emission trading as instruments of mitigation policies. Part III evaluates the use and overuse of renewable and non-renewable resources in the context of a variety of dynamic models. This part of the book, in particular, considers the cases when resources interact as an ecological system and analyze issues of ownership of resources as well as policy measures to avoid the overuse of resources. In addition, not only intertemporal resource allocation but also the eminent issues relating to intertemporal inequities, as well as policy measures to overcome them, are discussed in each part of the book.Less
Recently, the public attention has turned toward the intricate interrelation between economic growth and global warming. This book focuses on this nexus but broadens the framework to study the issue. Growth is seen as global growth, which affects the global environment and climate change. Global growth, in particular high economic growth rates, implies a fast depletion of renewable and non-renewable resources. Thus, this book deals with the impact of the environment and the effect of the exhaustive use of natural resources on economic growth and welfare of market economies, as well as the reverse linkage. It is arranged in three parts: Part I of the book discusses the environment and growth. The role of environmental pollution is integrated into modern endogenous growth models and recently developed dynamic methods and techniques are used to derive appropriate abatement activities that policymakers can institute. Part II looks at global climate change using these same growth models. Here, too, direct and transparent policy implications are provided. More specifically, tax measures, such as a carbon tax, are favored over emission trading as instruments of mitigation policies. Part III evaluates the use and overuse of renewable and non-renewable resources in the context of a variety of dynamic models. This part of the book, in particular, considers the cases when resources interact as an ecological system and analyze issues of ownership of resources as well as policy measures to avoid the overuse of resources. In addition, not only intertemporal resource allocation but also the eminent issues relating to intertemporal inequities, as well as policy measures to overcome them, are discussed in each part of the book.
Alfred Greiner and Willi Semmler
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195328233
- eISBN:
- 9780199869985
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195328233.003.0013
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This chapter presents some concluding remarks about the economic model presented in Chapters 8-11. Part II of the book studied the interrelation between anthropogenic global warming and economic ...
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This chapter presents some concluding remarks about the economic model presented in Chapters 8-11. Part II of the book studied the interrelation between anthropogenic global warming and economic growth assuming a simple descriptive model of endogenous growth. Using simulations, it was shown that increases in abatement spending may yield a win-win situation. That means a rise in abatement activities both reduces greenhouse gas emissions and raises economic growth. This holds for both the balanced growth rate and for the growth rate of GDP on the transition path.Less
This chapter presents some concluding remarks about the economic model presented in Chapters 8-11. Part II of the book studied the interrelation between anthropogenic global warming and economic growth assuming a simple descriptive model of endogenous growth. Using simulations, it was shown that increases in abatement spending may yield a win-win situation. That means a rise in abatement activities both reduces greenhouse gas emissions and raises economic growth. This holds for both the balanced growth rate and for the growth rate of GDP on the transition path.
Alfred Greiner and Willi Semmler
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195328233
- eISBN:
- 9780199869985
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195328233.003.0009
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This chapter describes scientific knowledge concerning greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the change in global average surface temperature. It considers the climate system of the Earth is in terms of ...
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This chapter describes scientific knowledge concerning greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the change in global average surface temperature. It considers the climate system of the Earth is in terms of its global energy balance using so-called energy balance models (EBM).Less
This chapter describes scientific knowledge concerning greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the change in global average surface temperature. It considers the climate system of the Earth is in terms of its global energy balance using so-called energy balance models (EBM).
Thomas A. Heberlein
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199773329
- eISBN:
- 9780199979639
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199773329.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Social Psychology and Interaction
The environment, and how humans affect it, is more of a concern now than ever. We are constantly told that halting climate change requires raising awareness, changing attitudes, and finally altering ...
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The environment, and how humans affect it, is more of a concern now than ever. We are constantly told that halting climate change requires raising awareness, changing attitudes, and finally altering behaviors among the general public—and doing it fast. New information, attitudes, and actions, it is conventionally assumed, will necessarily follow one from the other. However, this approach ignores much of what is known about attitudes in general and environmental attitudes in particular—a huge gap lies between what we say and what we do. Solving environmental problems requires a scientific understanding of public attitudes. Like rocks in a swollen river, attitudes often lie beneath the surface—hard to see, and even harder to move or change. This book helps us read the water and negotiate its hidden obstacles, explaining what attitudes are, how they change and influence behavior. Rather than trying to change attitudes, we need to design solutions and policies with attitudes in mind. Heberlein illustrates these points by tracing the attitudes of the well-known environmentalist Aldo Leopold, while tying social psychology to real-world behaviors throughout the book. Bringing together theory and practice, this book provides a realistic understanding of why and how attitudes matter when it comes to environmental problems; and how, by balancing natural with social science, we can step back from false assumptions and unproductive, frustrating programs to work toward fostering successful, effective environmental action.Less
The environment, and how humans affect it, is more of a concern now than ever. We are constantly told that halting climate change requires raising awareness, changing attitudes, and finally altering behaviors among the general public—and doing it fast. New information, attitudes, and actions, it is conventionally assumed, will necessarily follow one from the other. However, this approach ignores much of what is known about attitudes in general and environmental attitudes in particular—a huge gap lies between what we say and what we do. Solving environmental problems requires a scientific understanding of public attitudes. Like rocks in a swollen river, attitudes often lie beneath the surface—hard to see, and even harder to move or change. This book helps us read the water and negotiate its hidden obstacles, explaining what attitudes are, how they change and influence behavior. Rather than trying to change attitudes, we need to design solutions and policies with attitudes in mind. Heberlein illustrates these points by tracing the attitudes of the well-known environmentalist Aldo Leopold, while tying social psychology to real-world behaviors throughout the book. Bringing together theory and practice, this book provides a realistic understanding of why and how attitudes matter when it comes to environmental problems; and how, by balancing natural with social science, we can step back from false assumptions and unproductive, frustrating programs to work toward fostering successful, effective environmental action.
Vaclav Smil
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780195168754
- eISBN:
- 9780199783601
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195168755.003.0006
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Economic History
Technical advances based on unprecedented levels of energy use brought a new phenomenon of mass consumption as well as many obvious gains in the typical quality of life. However, they have not ...
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Technical advances based on unprecedented levels of energy use brought a new phenomenon of mass consumption as well as many obvious gains in the typical quality of life. However, they have not substantially reduced economic inequality. They also introduced new risks (ranging from car accidents to nuclear weapons) and some worrisome environmental changes, especially the possibility of relatively rapid global warming.Less
Technical advances based on unprecedented levels of energy use brought a new phenomenon of mass consumption as well as many obvious gains in the typical quality of life. However, they have not substantially reduced economic inequality. They also introduced new risks (ranging from car accidents to nuclear weapons) and some worrisome environmental changes, especially the possibility of relatively rapid global warming.
Jody Freeman and Charles D. Kolstad
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195189650
- eISBN:
- 9780199783694
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195189650.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Over the last decade, market-based incentives have become the regulatory tool of choice when trying to solve difficult environmental problems. Evidence of their dominance can be seen in recent ...
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Over the last decade, market-based incentives have become the regulatory tool of choice when trying to solve difficult environmental problems. Evidence of their dominance can be seen in recent proposals for addressing global warming (through an emissions trading scheme in the Kyoto Protocol) and for amending the Clean Air Act (to add a new emissions trading systems for smog precursors and mercury — the Bush administration's “Clear Skies” program). They are widely viewed as more efficient than traditional command and control regulation. This collection of essays takes a critical look at this question, and evaluates whether the promises of market-based regulation have been fulfilled. Contributors put forth the ideas that few regulatory instruments are actually purely market-based, or purely prescriptive, and that both approaches can be systematically undermined by insufficiently careful design and by failures of monitoring and enforcement. All in all, the essays recommend future research that no longer pits one kind of approach against the other, but instead examines their interaction and compatibility. This book should appeal to academics in environmental economics and law, along with policymakers in government agencies and advocates in non-governmental organizations.Less
Over the last decade, market-based incentives have become the regulatory tool of choice when trying to solve difficult environmental problems. Evidence of their dominance can be seen in recent proposals for addressing global warming (through an emissions trading scheme in the Kyoto Protocol) and for amending the Clean Air Act (to add a new emissions trading systems for smog precursors and mercury — the Bush administration's “Clear Skies” program). They are widely viewed as more efficient than traditional command and control regulation. This collection of essays takes a critical look at this question, and evaluates whether the promises of market-based regulation have been fulfilled. Contributors put forth the ideas that few regulatory instruments are actually purely market-based, or purely prescriptive, and that both approaches can be systematically undermined by insufficiently careful design and by failures of monitoring and enforcement. All in all, the essays recommend future research that no longer pits one kind of approach against the other, but instead examines their interaction and compatibility. This book should appeal to academics in environmental economics and law, along with policymakers in government agencies and advocates in non-governmental organizations.
Andrew Dobson
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- April 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780199258444
- eISBN:
- 9780191601002
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199258449.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, Environmental Politics
Ecological citizenship is presented as an example and inflection of post‐cosmopolitan citizenship. It is contrasted with environmental citizenship. The ecological footprint is presented as the ...
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Ecological citizenship is presented as an example and inflection of post‐cosmopolitan citizenship. It is contrasted with environmental citizenship. The ecological footprint is presented as the ecological citizenship's version of political space, and global warming is used to exemplify the asymmetrical relations of globalising cause‐and‐effect that call forth post‐cosmopolitan obligations.Less
Ecological citizenship is presented as an example and inflection of post‐cosmopolitan citizenship. It is contrasted with environmental citizenship. The ecological footprint is presented as the ecological citizenship's version of political space, and global warming is used to exemplify the asymmetrical relations of globalising cause‐and‐effect that call forth post‐cosmopolitan obligations.
David N. Thomas, G.E. (Tony) Fogg, Peter Convey, Christian H. Fritsen, Josep-Maria Gili, Rolf Gradinger, Johanna Laybourn-Parry, Keith Reid, and David W.H. Walton
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199298112
- eISBN:
- 9780191711640
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298112.003.0010
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
The polar regions have undergone major changes in configuration of land masses and climate over millions of years. However, it is the geologically brief period beginning around 120,000 years before ...
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The polar regions have undergone major changes in configuration of land masses and climate over millions of years. However, it is the geologically brief period beginning around 120,000 years before present (BP), including a warm interglacial followed by the Würm glaciation and then the interglacial in which we now live, which is most relevant. This chapter discusses changes during geological time: the ice ages; biological responses to long-term changes; and present-day global climate change and polar regions.Less
The polar regions have undergone major changes in configuration of land masses and climate over millions of years. However, it is the geologically brief period beginning around 120,000 years before present (BP), including a warm interglacial followed by the Würm glaciation and then the interglacial in which we now live, which is most relevant. This chapter discusses changes during geological time: the ice ages; biological responses to long-term changes; and present-day global climate change and polar regions.
Robert Wuthnow
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199730872
- eISBN:
- 9780199777389
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199730872.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
Be Very Afraid examines the human response to existential threats; once a matter for theology, but now looming before us in multiple forms. Nuclear weapons, pandemics, global warming; ...
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Be Very Afraid examines the human response to existential threats; once a matter for theology, but now looming before us in multiple forms. Nuclear weapons, pandemics, global warming; each threatens to destroy the planet, or at least to annihilate our species. Freud, the author notes, famously taught that the standard psychological response to an overwhelming danger is denial. In fact, the author writes, the opposite is true: we seek ways of positively meeting the threat, of doing something — anything — even if it is wasteful and time-consuming. The atomic era that began with the bombing of Hiroshima sparked a flurry of activity, ranging from duck-and-cover drills, basement bomb shelters, and marches for a nuclear freeze. All were arguably ineffectual, yet each sprang from an innate desire to take action. It would be one thing if our responses were merely pointless, the book observes, but they can actually be harmful. Both the public and policymakers tend to model reactions to grave threats on how we met previous ones. The response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, for example, echoed the Cold War: citizens went out to buy duct tape, mimicking 1950s-era civil defense measures, and the administration launched two costly conflicts overseas.Less
Be Very Afraid examines the human response to existential threats; once a matter for theology, but now looming before us in multiple forms. Nuclear weapons, pandemics, global warming; each threatens to destroy the planet, or at least to annihilate our species. Freud, the author notes, famously taught that the standard psychological response to an overwhelming danger is denial. In fact, the author writes, the opposite is true: we seek ways of positively meeting the threat, of doing something — anything — even if it is wasteful and time-consuming. The atomic era that began with the bombing of Hiroshima sparked a flurry of activity, ranging from duck-and-cover drills, basement bomb shelters, and marches for a nuclear freeze. All were arguably ineffectual, yet each sprang from an innate desire to take action. It would be one thing if our responses were merely pointless, the book observes, but they can actually be harmful. Both the public and policymakers tend to model reactions to grave threats on how we met previous ones. The response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, for example, echoed the Cold War: citizens went out to buy duct tape, mimicking 1950s-era civil defense measures, and the administration launched two costly conflicts overseas.
William P. Brown
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199730797
- eISBN:
- 9780199777075
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199730797.003.0010
- Subject:
- Religion, Biblical Studies, Theology
This concluding chapter builds on the discussion of the previous material by briefly reviewing the distinctive features of each creation tradition and their connections with science, as well as ...
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This concluding chapter builds on the discussion of the previous material by briefly reviewing the distinctive features of each creation tradition and their connections with science, as well as explicating the hermeneutical dynamics involved in bringing scientific understanding and the biblical views of creation into constructive dialogue. A major section is devoted to discerning the intertextual connections that bind the various creation traditions together literarily and canonically. Central also is a discussion of the interrelated profiles of human identity featured in the traditions, followed by reflections on human responsibility in the face of mounting environmental degradation, including global warming. It is argued that the biblical view of creation is a more effective consciousness-raiser than Richard Dawkins’s commendation of evolutionary theory. Nevertheless, a scientifically and biblically informed faith is most effectual in fulfilling humanity’s commission to “serve and preserve” creation (Genesis 2:15).Less
This concluding chapter builds on the discussion of the previous material by briefly reviewing the distinctive features of each creation tradition and their connections with science, as well as explicating the hermeneutical dynamics involved in bringing scientific understanding and the biblical views of creation into constructive dialogue. A major section is devoted to discerning the intertextual connections that bind the various creation traditions together literarily and canonically. Central also is a discussion of the interrelated profiles of human identity featured in the traditions, followed by reflections on human responsibility in the face of mounting environmental degradation, including global warming. It is argued that the biblical view of creation is a more effective consciousness-raiser than Richard Dawkins’s commendation of evolutionary theory. Nevertheless, a scientifically and biblically informed faith is most effectual in fulfilling humanity’s commission to “serve and preserve” creation (Genesis 2:15).
Peter W. Glynn
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195319958
- eISBN:
- 9780199869596
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195319958.003.0008
- Subject:
- Biology, Aquatic Biology
This chapter describes the physical setting, biogeography, El Niño cycle and climate change effects of the coral reefs of Panama. A focus on the unique role of low diversity but complex ecological ...
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This chapter describes the physical setting, biogeography, El Niño cycle and climate change effects of the coral reefs of Panama. A focus on the unique role of low diversity but complex ecological interactions, as well the importance of corals in supporting a diverse and often cryptic part of the food web is presented. Spatial and temporal variation is described as well as the potential role of human resource use and climate change on the ecosystem.Less
This chapter describes the physical setting, biogeography, El Niño cycle and climate change effects of the coral reefs of Panama. A focus on the unique role of low diversity but complex ecological interactions, as well the importance of corals in supporting a diverse and often cryptic part of the food web is presented. Spatial and temporal variation is described as well as the potential role of human resource use and climate change on the ecosystem.
Paulo A. L. D. Nunes and Laura Onofri
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199656202
- eISBN:
- 9780191742149
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199656202.003.0011
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This chapter explores econometric analysis for capturing the relationship between a motivational variable, ‘warm glow’ for the provision of an environmental public good, and socio-economic ...
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This chapter explores econometric analysis for capturing the relationship between a motivational variable, ‘warm glow’ for the provision of an environmental public good, and socio-economic characteristics of individual consumers. We use microeconomic data provided by a national survey that was performed in Portugal to value the provision of a coastal, protected area. Estimation results show that ‘warm glow’ is mostly affected by four main effects: (1) charitable habits of respondents; (2) level of social participation to the community of the respondents: (3) degree of importance attributed to social policies by the respondents, and (4) the religious belief of the respondents. The interpretation of our estimates allowed us to categorize and profile two types of ‘warm-glowers’: the ‘ego-driven’ and the ‘socially-oriented’ ones. There is critical discussion on embodying (or not) the latent motivational structures (and underlying determination factors) when performing cost‐benefit analysis of environmental public goodsLess
This chapter explores econometric analysis for capturing the relationship between a motivational variable, ‘warm glow’ for the provision of an environmental public good, and socio-economic characteristics of individual consumers. We use microeconomic data provided by a national survey that was performed in Portugal to value the provision of a coastal, protected area. Estimation results show that ‘warm glow’ is mostly affected by four main effects: (1) charitable habits of respondents; (2) level of social participation to the community of the respondents: (3) degree of importance attributed to social policies by the respondents, and (4) the religious belief of the respondents. The interpretation of our estimates allowed us to categorize and profile two types of ‘warm-glowers’: the ‘ego-driven’ and the ‘socially-oriented’ ones. There is critical discussion on embodying (or not) the latent motivational structures (and underlying determination factors) when performing cost‐benefit analysis of environmental public goods
Robert Wuthnow
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199730872
- eISBN:
- 9780199777389
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199730872.003.0007
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter focuses on the cultural response to environmental devastation. The debate about environmental devastation in the months preceding 9/11 were both the latest in a quarter century of ...
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This chapter focuses on the cultural response to environmental devastation. The debate about environmental devastation in the months preceding 9/11 were both the latest in a quarter century of discussions and a prelude to concerns that would ripen in the coming months. In the threat of global warming the fragility of life was evident in ways similar to that of nuclear annihilation and terrorism. Things were neither out of control nor fully under control, but perilously close to endangering all of humanity and thus a source of profound worry. The differences lay more in how immediate, unanticipated, or catastrophic the threat might be. Global warming would not obliterate the world in a sudden flash or wipe out large buildings in a vicious moment. If it was happening at all, as scientists largely agreed, it was a slow burn, like water in a kettle reaching the boiling point sooner than anyone realized. The cultural response to this sort of peril was thus in some ways unique, and yet in others, conditioned by the patterns of thought and relations of power that had become customary in the last third of the 20th century. Fear served both as an underlying current and as a force that could be manipulated. With no single event as pivotal as the bombing of Hiroshima or the attacks on 9/11, interpretations were less frequent, more scattered, and less subject to the agenda-setting influence of government. Yet the same inclination to transcend fear with action, to engage in individual and collective problem solving, was evident, and with it, the same emphasis on seeking technological solutions and debating administrative policies. The cultural response was shaped by the creative use of the imagination and focused decisively on questions of moral responsibility.Less
This chapter focuses on the cultural response to environmental devastation. The debate about environmental devastation in the months preceding 9/11 were both the latest in a quarter century of discussions and a prelude to concerns that would ripen in the coming months. In the threat of global warming the fragility of life was evident in ways similar to that of nuclear annihilation and terrorism. Things were neither out of control nor fully under control, but perilously close to endangering all of humanity and thus a source of profound worry. The differences lay more in how immediate, unanticipated, or catastrophic the threat might be. Global warming would not obliterate the world in a sudden flash or wipe out large buildings in a vicious moment. If it was happening at all, as scientists largely agreed, it was a slow burn, like water in a kettle reaching the boiling point sooner than anyone realized. The cultural response to this sort of peril was thus in some ways unique, and yet in others, conditioned by the patterns of thought and relations of power that had become customary in the last third of the 20th century. Fear served both as an underlying current and as a force that could be manipulated. With no single event as pivotal as the bombing of Hiroshima or the attacks on 9/11, interpretations were less frequent, more scattered, and less subject to the agenda-setting influence of government. Yet the same inclination to transcend fear with action, to engage in individual and collective problem solving, was evident, and with it, the same emphasis on seeking technological solutions and debating administrative policies. The cultural response was shaped by the creative use of the imagination and focused decisively on questions of moral responsibility.
Robert Wuthnow
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199730872
- eISBN:
- 9780199777389
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199730872.003.0008
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter focuses on the complexity of putting climate change on the national agenda. Like the peril of nuclear weapons and the threat of terrorism, global warming was subject to numerous ...
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This chapter focuses on the complexity of putting climate change on the national agenda. Like the peril of nuclear weapons and the threat of terrorism, global warming was subject to numerous competing interpretations even among those who agreed it was serious. Facing up to the reality of humanity's impact on the environment brought forth proposals that inevitably reflected the nation's values and revealed the divisions in these values. The struggle showed leaders' continuing faith in science and technology, but also demonstrated wariness of the public about trusting scientists too much. In the short term, the process itself of debating an agenda served as the dominant cultural response.Less
This chapter focuses on the complexity of putting climate change on the national agenda. Like the peril of nuclear weapons and the threat of terrorism, global warming was subject to numerous competing interpretations even among those who agreed it was serious. Facing up to the reality of humanity's impact on the environment brought forth proposals that inevitably reflected the nation's values and revealed the divisions in these values. The struggle showed leaders' continuing faith in science and technology, but also demonstrated wariness of the public about trusting scientists too much. In the short term, the process itself of debating an agenda served as the dominant cultural response.
Robert Wuthnow
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199730872
- eISBN:
- 9780199777389
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199730872.003.0009
- Subject:
- Religion, Religion and Society
This chapter argues that the peril which poses an undeniable threat to the quality of life that humans can expect in the 21st century and beyond is global warming. While terrorist strikes and ...
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This chapter argues that the peril which poses an undeniable threat to the quality of life that humans can expect in the 21st century and beyond is global warming. While terrorist strikes and pandemics may well occur, there is no question that climate change has become a reality, possibly inexorable. The call for action in climate change requires doing more than performing random acts of individual good citizenship, such as recycling and lowering the thermostat. It requires supporting green initiatives, and electing public officials who understand the significance of climate change and are willing to address the problem.Less
This chapter argues that the peril which poses an undeniable threat to the quality of life that humans can expect in the 21st century and beyond is global warming. While terrorist strikes and pandemics may well occur, there is no question that climate change has become a reality, possibly inexorable. The call for action in climate change requires doing more than performing random acts of individual good citizenship, such as recycling and lowering the thermostat. It requires supporting green initiatives, and electing public officials who understand the significance of climate change and are willing to address the problem.
