Liberty and the Ecological Crisis. Freedom on a Finite Planet

Congratulations to Katie Kish, Chris Orr and Bruce Jennings (editors), and to our L4E & E4A students and collaborators for this important publication! 

This book examines the concept of liberty in relation to civilization’s ability to live within ecological limits.

Freedom, in all its renditions – choice, thought, action – has become inextricably linked to our understanding of what it means to be modern citizens. And yet, it is our relatively unbounded freedom that has resulted in so much ecological devastation. Liberty has piggy-backed on transformations in human-nature relationships that characterize the Anthropocene: increasing extraction of resources, industrialization, technological development, ecological destruction, and mass production linked to global consumerism. This volume provides a deeply critical examination of the concept of liberty as it relates to environmental politics and ethics in the long view. Contributions explore this entanglement of freedom and the ecological crisis, as well as investigate alternative modernities and more ecologically benign ways of living on Earth. The overarching framework for this collection is that liberty and agency need to be rethought before these strongly held ideals of our age are forced out. On a finite planet, our choices will become limited if we hope to survive the climatic transitions set in motion by uncontrolled consumption of resources and energy over the past 150 years. This volume suggests concrete political and philosophical approaches and governance strategies for learning how to flourish in new ways within the ecological constraints of the planet.

  Mapping out new ways forward for long-term ecological well-being, this book is essential reading for students and scholars of ecology,   environmental ethics, politics, and sociology, and for the wider audience interested in the human-Earth relationship and global sustainability.

 If you are interested in purchasing the book, please here

Local Activism for Global Climate Justice

Congratulations to A4E students and Ellie Perkins for the publication of this inspiring book! This book is a great accomplishment and contribution from climate activists and engaged authors who explore the many ways in which people are proactively working to advance climate justice.

Here is one of the book reviews:

“This engaging collection provides compelling reasons for ‘starting close to home’ when responding to the challenges of climate change. A range of fascinating case studies shows that thinking locally is vital for understanding the complex flows of people, power and knowledge that shape environmental problems and solutions. A watershed can be both place and turning point; what a brilliant idea to showcase the diverse mobilisations of climate justice on the shores of the Great Lakes at this pivotal time for the planet.”  Sherilyn MacGregor, Reader in Environmental Politics, The University of Manchester, UK

 If you are interested in purchasing the book, please Click Here

“From the Anthropocene to Mutual Thriving: An Agenda for Higher Education in the Ecozoic,”   in Sustainability 11 (12)

Please see Here L4E students, and faculty shared paper “From the Anthropocene to Mutual Thriving: An Agenda for Higher Education in the Ecozoic,” in Sustainability 11 (12). Congratulation for this great accomplishment!