Cultures of Environmentalism - by S Yearley (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

As environmental issues increasingly impinge on society, sociologists have turned their attention to nature and the environment. However, unlike the majority of sociological work on environmental issues, which has too often been dominated by abstract theoretical disputes, this book concentrates on empirical studies in environmental sociology. It shows what sociologists can bring to current debates over environmental topics (including genetic modification) and - using the author's first-hand research - demonstrates how sociologists can best pursue practical work on environmental topics.

Review Quotes

'In combining insights from contemporary science studies and environmental sociology, Steve Yearley masterfully picks out the organizational structures most relevant to fostering different types and outcomes of environmentalist ideas in today's cultures of environmental campaigning and activism...The book's lack of sociological jargon and focus on concrete case studies makes it a great read for upper undergraduate and graduate courses in all the social sciences dealing with environmental topics.' - Matthias Gross, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, UFZ, Leipzig, Germany

'Yearley's book is wonderfully written, thoroughly documented and exhibits a remarkable conceptual elegance. Therefore, the book would likely appeal to both an academic and non-academic audience. Students and scholars interested in environmental sociology, social movements or sustainable development would benefit greatly from reading these very well crafted empirical studies. At the same time, the book could help individuals from NGOs or the mass media enrich their hands-on experience with a broader socio-cultural understanding of the nature-society nexus.'

- Filip Alexandrescu, University of Toronto, Canada; Candadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology

'The greatest value of the book lies in the specific empirical studies it contains.. These can be used in the classroom and also to illustrate general arguments about the relationship between scientific studies of environment and their social context.' - Arjun Agrawal, American Journal of Sociology

'...the absence of abstruse terminology and the fact that the interpretations remain close to the data make these case studies exceptionally well-suited for use as supplementary reading assignments for undergraduate or graduate courses in environmental sociology.' - Bill Markham, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, USA

About the Author

STEVEN YEARLEY is Professor and Head of Sociology at the University of York and Senior Research Fellow of the Stockholm Environment Institute. In recent years he has also taught environmental sociology at Cornell University and the University of Melbourne. Recent books include Sociology, Environmentalism, Globalization and Making Sense of Science.