This comprehensive overview of the first quarter-century of American environmental sociology introduces readers to the research and theoretical perspectives in this new field of study. Formally established in 1976 with the formation of the American Sociological Association's Section on Environmental Sociology, the field emerged in response to widespread societal recognition of the significance of environmental problems in the 1970s and has flourished ever since. Focusing on both built and natural environments, this volume provides overviews of key topics in both branches of the field, summarizing and synthesizing existing research in each area.

Although this volume pays ample attention to theoretical perspectives in environmental sociology, it also provides thorough reviews of research on the central topics in the field. Contributors introduce and consider the current work available in such areas as the design of built environments, hazards and disasters, risks, the environmental movement, and impact assessment, among others. This timely and important collection is a must-read for students and scholars specializing in environmental sociology, social ecology, environmental studies, and urban and regional planning.

First published in 1992. Hailed as required reading for environmental sociologist and social movements, this book is written as a scholarly work and from a social science perspective; and is an ideal textbook for environmental courses.

This work aims to provide an overview of the progress of the US environmentalist movement over the last 20 years. It asks why environmentalism has been able to avoid the fate of most short-lived movements and how it has changed since the first

Climate change is one of the most critical issues of the twenty-first century, presenting a major intellectual challenge to both the natural and social sciences. While there has been significant progress in natural science understanding of climate change, social science research has not been as fully developed. Climate Change and Society: Sociological Perspectives breaks new theoretical and empirical ground by presenting climate change as a thoroughly social phenomenon, embedded in our institutions and cultural practices. This collection of essays summarizes the existing approaches to understanding the social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions of climate change. From the factors that drive carbon emissions to the forces which influence societal responses to climate change, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the social dimensions behind climate change. An understanding of the relationship between climate change and human behavior is a critical element in developing a more sustainable future, changing human habits and behaviors for the better, and creating just and effective environmental policies. As such, Climate Change and Society is a useful tool in the crucial movement to integrate social science research, natural science research, and policy in the context of climate change and sustainability. A challenging shift away from the standard climate change discourse, this series of essays is a valuable resource for students, scholars, and professionals involved in climate change policy and research. "Though more work always remains, the physical sciences have accomplished their core task when it comes to climate change. We know what we need to know about the causes and consequences of our actions. What we don't know is how to stop ourselves, which is why this book-and the social sciences-are so important from here on out."-Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature and Schumann Distinguished Scholar, Middlebury College. "Many texts cover the science and economics of climate change, but few discuss the equally important sociological dimensions of the problem. In this must-read edited volume, leading experts Bob Brulle and Riley Dunlap, and more than thirty other leaders in the field review the sociological context so critical for understanding the current societal discourse over climate change and - perhaps most importantly - the reasons for the current impasse when it comes to actually dealing with the problem." -Michael E. Mann, Distinguished Professor, Penn State University, and author of Dire Predictions: Understanding Climate Change.

Climate change is one of the most critical issues of the twenty-first century, presenting a major intellectual challenge to both the natural and social sciences. While there has been significant progress in natural science understanding of climate change, social science research has not been as fully developed. Climate Change and Society: Sociological Perspectives breaks new theoretical and empirical ground by presenting climate change as a thoroughly social phenomenon, embedded in our institutions and cultural practices. This collection of essays summarizes the existing approaches to understanding the social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions of climate change. From the factors that drive carbon emissions to the forces which influence societal responses to climate change, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the social dimensions behind climate change. An understanding of the relationship between climate change and human behavior is a critical element in developing a more sustainable future, changing human habits and behaviors for the better, and creating just and effective environmental policies. As such, Climate Change and Society is a useful tool in the crucial movement to integrate social science research, natural science research, and policy in the context of climate change and sustainability. A challenging shift away from the standard climate change discourse, this series of essays is a valuable resource for students, scholars, and professionals involved in climate change policy and research. "Though more work always remains, the physical sciences have accomplished their core task when it comes to climate change. We know what we need to know about the causes and consequences of our actions. What we don't know is how to stop ourselves, which is why this book-and the social sciences-are so important from here on out."-Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature and Schumann Distinguished Scholar, Middlebury College. "Many texts cover the science and economics of climate change, but few discuss the equally important sociological dimensions of the problem. In this must-read edited volume, leading experts Bob Brulle and Riley Dunlap, and more than thirty other leaders in the field review the sociological context so critical for understanding the current societal discourse over climate change and - perhaps most importantly - the reasons for the current impasse when it comes to actually dealing with the problem." -Michael E. Mann, Distinguished Professor, Penn State University, and author of Dire Predictions: Understanding Climate Change.

Nuclear waste is going nowhere, and neither is the debate over its disposal. The problem, growing every day, has proven intractable, with policymakers on one side, armed with daunting technical data, and the public on the other, declaring: not in my backyard. This timely volume offers a look past our present impasse into the nature and roots of public viewpoints on nuclear waste disposal.
A much-needed supplement to the largely technical literature on this problem, the book provides extensive studies of the reaction of citizens--whether rural or urban, near-site residents or prospective visitors--to proposed nuclear waste sites around the nation, particularly Nevada's Yucca Mountain. Conducted by distinguished sociologists, psychologists, political scientists, and economists, these studies constitute the most comprehensive account available of the impact of public perceptions and opinions on the nuclear waste policy process in the United States. As such, the collection will clarify the politics of nuclear waste siting and will give impetus to the stalled debate over the issue.

"Contributors." Rodney K. Baxter, Julia G. Brody, Bruce Clary, Lori Cramer, William H. Desvousges, Riley E. Dunlap, Douglas Easterling, Judy K. Fleishman, James Flynn, William R. Freudenburg, Michael E. Kraft, Richard S. Krannich, Howard Kunreuther, Mark Layman, Ronald L. Little, Robert Cameron Mitchell, Alvin H. Mushkatel, Joanne M. Nigg, K. David Pijawka, Eugene A. Rosa, Paul Slovic

Sociological Theory and the Environment is a comprehensive survey and assessment of sociological theories of the relations between societies and their "natural" biophysical environment. This book touches on and addresses virtually all of the major perspectives, focal points, and debates in environmental sociology today--classical and twentieth century social theories, macro-micro linkage issues, globalization and development, reflexive modernization, ecological modernization vs. "limits" viewpoints, modernity and post modernity, risk society, constructionalism-realism, environmental movements/identities, consumption and environment, cultural sociologies of the environment, and so on. At the same time, the book aims to go beyond an inventory of environmental sociological theory. Sociological Theory and the Environment stresses how new ground can be broken in the articulation of environmental sociology with major classical and contemporary sociological theories.