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The Ecological Modernisation Reader

Environmental Reform in Theory and Practice

Edited by Arthur P.J. Mol, David A Sonnenfeld, Gert Spaargaren

Published July 20th 2009 by Routledge – 560 pages

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Description

Environmental reform by governmental, intergovernmental agencies, private firms and industries and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is a worldwide phenomenon. This definitive collection showcases an introduction to Ecological Modernisation Theory; state-of-the-art review essays by key international scholars and a selection of the key articles from a quarter-century of social science scholarship. It is aimed at students, researchers and policymakers interested in a deep understanding of contemporary environmental issues

Reviews

'…this volume offers a comprehensive synthesis of the emergence and evolution of scholarly enquiry into ecological modernization.'

'…if this volume serves as a launching pad rather than culmination, then EM is poised to make substantial gains in the environmental studies and sciences. The break from the tendency to rely solely on ecological theories to explain society’s relationship with ecosystems that has been enabled by EM theorists has broadened the horizons for enquiry in environmental scholarship, and the promise of systematic critical analysis of environmental improvement efforts in a variety of institutional contexts is certainly a worthwhile endeavour.'

-Debra J Davidson, University of Alberta, in International Sociology, vol 26 no 5

'This volume collects well-written scholarly essays on the theory of EM. The editors do a good job selecting chapters to represent the full range of issues and concepts forming the central theses of the EM framework, making this volume a great reader on the subject. Also commendable is that the authors included several studies of environmental reform in economies outside the birthplace of the EM theory. Worthy of note as well is that several studies differentiate between weak and strong ecological modernization. This provides a great framework for empirically examining environmental reform across the globe. Finally, the introduction and other chapters also discuss how the theory of ecological modernization fits with global conventions on environmental reform, thereby helping explain its emergence and rapid development….'

-Lazarus Adua, Ohio State University, in Rural Sociology, Dec 2011

Contents

1. Ecological Modernization: Three Decades of Policy, Practice and Theoretical Reflection, Mol, A.P.J., G. Spaargaren & D.A. Sonnenfeld Part 1: Foundations of Ecological Modernization Theory 2. The Origins and Theoretical Foundations of Ecological Modernization Theory, Mol, A.P.J., and M. Jänicke 3. On Ecological and Political Modernisation, Jänicke, M. 4. Ecological Modernisation: Beyond Scarcity and Bureaucracy, Huber, J. 5. Sociology, Environment and Modernity. Ecological Modernisation as a Theory of Social Change, Spaargaren, G., and A.P.J. Mol 6. Ecological Modernization as Cultural Politics, Hajer, M.A 7. Ecological Modernisation, Ecological Modernities, Christoff, P. 8. Ecological Modernization as Social Theory, Buttel, F.H. Part 2: Transformations in Environmental Governance and Participation 9. Transformations in Environmental Governance and Participation, Fisher, D.R., O. Fritsch, and M.S. Andersen 10. New Approaches to Environmental Governance, Jänicke, M., and H. Jörgens 11. Environment and Participation in a Context of Political Modernisation, Tatenhove, Jan van, & Pieter Leroy 12. Democratic Ethics and Ecological Modernization: The Formulation of California's Automobile Emission Standards, Gonzalez, G.A. 13. Ecological Modernization, Risk Society, and the Green State, Dryzek, J.S., D. Downes, C. Hunold, and D. Schlosberg Part 3: Greening Life-Cycles and Life-Styles 14. Greening Lifecycles and Lifestyles: Sociotechnical Innovations in Consumption and Production as Core Concerns of Ecological Modernisation Theory, Spaargaren, G., and M. Cohen 15. Environmental Policy and Industrial Innovation: Integrating Environment and Economy Through Ecological Modernization, Murphy, J., and A. Gouldson 16. Ecological Modernization of Industrial Systems, Koppen C.S.A. (Kris) van, Arthur P.J. Mol 17. Sustainable Consumption: A Theoretical and Environmental Policy Perspective, Spaargaren, G. 18. Upstreaming Environmental Action, Huber, J. Part 4: Environmental Reform in Asian and Other Emerging Economies 19. Ecological Modernisation in Asian and other Emerging Economies, Sonnenfeld, D.A., and M.T. Rock 20. Contradictions of Ecological Modernisation: Pulp and Paper Manufacturing in Southeast Asia, Sonnenfeld, D.A. 21. Why Ecological Modernisation and Sustainable Development should not be Conflated, Langhelle, O. 22. Integrating Environmental and Economic Policy making in China and Taiwan, Rock, M.T. 23. Environmental Management for Industrial Zones in Vietnam, Tran, M.D.T., P.T. Phung, J.C.L. van Buuren, and V.T. Nguyen 24. Environment and Modernity in Transitional China: Frontiers of Ecological Modernization, Mol, A.P.J. 25. Shifts within Ecological Modernization in South Africa: Deliberation, Innovation and Institutional Opportunities, Oelofse, C., D. Scott, G. Oelofse, and J. Houghton Conclusion 26. Ecological Modernization: Assessment, Critical Debates and Future Directions, Spaargaren, G., A.P.J. Mol, & D.A. Sonnenfeld

Author Bio

Arthur P.J. Mol is chair and professor in environmental policy in the Environmental Policy Group (ENP) of Wageningen University, the Netherlands. He edited a number of books, and is the author of Globalization and Environmental Reform (2001) and Environmental reform in the Information Age (2008).

David A. Sonnenfeld is Professor and Chair of Environmental Studies at the New York State College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He is co-editor of Challenging the Chip: Labor Rights and Environmental Justice in the Global Electronics Industry (2006); and Ecological Modernisation Around the World (2000).

Gert Spaargaren is part-time Professor on ‘Environmental Policy for Sustainable Lifestyles and Consumption’ at the Environmental Policy Group of Wageningen University, The Netherlands. His publications are in the field of (environmental) sociology, sustainable consumption and behavior, and the globalization of environmental reform. He (co)edited Governing Environmental Flows (2006).

Name: The Ecological Modernisation Reader: Environmental Reform in Theory and Practice (Paperback) – Routledge 
Description: Edited by Arthur P.J. Mol, David A Sonnenfeld, Gert Spaargaren. Environmental reform by governmental, intergovernmental agencies, private firms and industries and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is a worldwide phenomenon. This definitive collection showcases an introduction to Ecological Modernisation Theory;...
Categories: Human Geography, Environmental Management, City and Urban Planning