Environmental Consciousness: The Roots of a New Political Agenda (Memory and Narrative) - Softcover

Hussey, Stephen; Thompson, Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0765808145 ISBN 13: 9780765808141

Publisher: Transaction Publishers, 2004

Synopsis

Across the globe, environmental questions feature more and more in today's social and political agendas. In Western countries environmental campaigns target issues at home and abroad. They have a special urgency, which draws in an astonishing range of field campaigners, from young militants to rebel aristocrats. This book examines the roots of contemporary environmental consciousness and action in terms of both popular experience and tradition.The global reach of this book reflects the character of contemporary environmentalism. It examines a geographically and thematically diverse range of case studies, including: British environmental campaigners in the Brazilian rainforest; ecocriticism and literature; the environmental movement in Kazakhstan; and medieval church iconography. The common theme linking each chapter is that environmental consciousness and activism are shaped through people's life stories, and that their memories are shaped not only through individual experience but also through myth, tradition, and collective memory. Containing a wealth of empirical source material, Environmental Consciousness will be invaluable for sociologists and historians alike. It offers a cutting-edge illustration of how narrative and oral history can illuminate our understanding of an uncertain present.

About this title

About the Author

Paul Thompson is a research professor in sociology at the University of Essex. His books include The Edwardians, The Voice of the Past, I Dont Feel Old, and The Myths We Live By. His is co-editor with Bertaux of Between Generations: Family Models, Myths and Memories.

Synopsis

One of the most profound changes in human conciousness over the last fifty years is the realisation that nature is not an inexhaustable resource that we can plunder indefinately. The global reach of this book reflects the character of contemporary environmentalism.

Edition details

• Publisher: Transaction Publishers
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0765808145
• ISBN 13: 9780765808141
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 226