Environmental ethics and behavioural change - Benjamin Franks

Environmental Ethics and Behavioural Change takes a practical approach to environmental ethics with a focus on its transformative potential for students, professionals, policy makers, activists, and concerned citizens. Proposed solutions to issues such as climate change, resource depletion and accelerating extinctions have included technological fixes, national and international regulation and social marketing. This volume examines the ethical features of a range of communication strategies and technological, political and economic methods for promoting ecologically responsible practice in the face of these crises.

The central concern of the book is environmental behaviour change: inspiring, informing and catalysing reflective change in the reader, and in their ability to influence others. By making clear the forms of environmental ethics that exist, and what each implies in terms of individual and social change, the reader will be better able to formulate, commit to, articulate and promote a coherent position on how to understand and engage with environmental issues.

This is an essential companion to environmental ethics and philosophy courses as well as a great resource for professionals interested in practical approaches to environmental ethics. It is also excellent supplementary reading for environmental studies, environmental politics and sustainable consumption courses.

Benjamin Franks is Lecturer in Social and Political Philosophy in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Glasgow, UK.

Stuart Hanscomb is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy and Communication in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Glasgow, UK.

Sean F. Johnston is Professor of Science, Technology and Society in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Glasgow, UK.

"Urgent environmental problems and the need to change policy and behaviour are explored and tackled with rigorous questioning of conflicting ethical theories…. This is a major philosophical contribution to the study of environmental concerns and moral obligations." - Dr David Lamb, Hon Reader in Bioethics, University of Birmingham, UK; Visiting Lecturer in Animal Welfare Ethics, University of Southampton, UK

"Addressing some of the biggest questions confronting humanity, Franks, Hanscomb, and Johnston expertly guide the reader through the complexities of our 'modern' world; and suggest ways in which a command of environmental ethics and behavioural change can produce a truly more inclusive society." - Dr JFM Clark, Director of the Institute of Environmental History, University of St Andrews, UK

"Environmental Ethics and Behavioural Change is an incredibly helpful, clear and rigorous guide for any of us vexed about the rights and wrongs of environmental and ecological policy and practice. It is suitable for practitioners and students across disciplines." - Prof. Simon Sadler, University of California, Davis, USA

"This is an excellent and timely book. It draws on philosophical, psychological, political and other ideas to illuminate today's most urgent environmental issues, such as climate change, fracking and animal welfare. The book is exceptionally clear. It is a valuable resource for students, activists and anyone concerned about the future of our planet." - Richard Smith, Professor of Education, University of Durham, UK

"This is the perfect book for people who want to make the world a better place: what are the possible options for taking action, what are the behavioural constraints and which environmental ethical theories can inform decision-making? The book enables the development of an articulate and educated position." - Bettina Bluemling, Assistant Professor of Regional Environmental Governance, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Netherlands

"Overall, this volume is one that should be required reading at the university level. Science, philosophy, education, political science, economics, psychology, and communications departments should all use this book for their classes. These departments should also work together to develop a coordinated effort to enhance their pedagogy with focus on environmental issues; this volume will help provide the necessary academic content and roadmap to do just that." - Martin Bremer, School of Teacher Education, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida