Synopses & Reviews
Over the years, we have witness unprecedented growth and development that threatens our planet earth as evidenced by environmental degradation, world poverty all of which will be exacerbated by climate change. “Environmental Crisis or Crisis of Epistemology?” explores the ideas that environmental destruction and injustice is integrally related to unsustainable knowledge and the role that knowledge plays in a racially discriminatory and unequal society. It also challenges us to think more critically about certain kinds of growth and development and creating knowledge that is more sustainable, environmentally benign and just and more compatible with the earth’s lifecycle. To continue business as usual without questioning our epistemology could lead to dire and unintended consequences of Herculean proportions. We can and must reverse this perilous trend. We must embarked upon creating knowledge that is more protective of the environment and the inhabitants of the earth.
Review
"Environmental Crisis" focuses on the ways of knowing that are at the very roots of unsustainability, "the crisis of crises" that threatens to end human civilization as we know it. Dr. Bryant as editor and lead author along with the other 8 chapter authors have thought critically and creatively about the dominant methods Western societies use in developing knowledge. These dominant epistemologies and their implementation have had positive impacts but also continue to have negative impacts that are increasingly exploiting and devastating the natural environment including people who are part of racial minorities and or economically poor. Readers will deepen their understanding of this aspect of the status quo in our culture and learn about urgently needed potential changes in our ways of knowing.” --James E. Crowfoot, PhD., Professor Emeritus of Natural Resources and Urban and Regional Planning and Dean Emeritus, School of Natural Resources & Environment, University of Michigan and former President of Antioch College.
Dr. Bunyan Bryant--once again--has provided readers with a penetrating book which includes thoughtful analyses of seven distinct subject areas related to contemporary issues in environmental justice. "Environmental Crisis" is an ambitious undertaking that contextualizes and illuminates major barriers to applying and achieving appropriate scientific thinking and knowledge to environmental justice concerns, especially in the local, state and regional areas as well as on a national level. "Environmental Crisis" will be of special interest to environmental justice advocates, lawyers, academicians, public officials as well as those who are new to the ongoing debate pertaining to environmental justice. Given the excellent information provided in this volume, it is truly a must read. --Kwame A. Mark Freeman, PhD, Adjunct Professor, University of Massachusetts. Formerly Program Manager and Executive office for Environmental Affairs, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Synopsis
The goal of “Environmental Crisis or Crisis of Epistemology?” is to challenge us to think that how we know the world and what we choose to do with what we know is fundamental to our environmental crisis. “Environmental Crisis or Crisis of Epistemology?” challenges us to think about and change the role that knowledge plays in an unequal society. “Environmental Crisis or Crisis of Epistemology?” challenges us to think in terms of creating knowledge that is more sustainable, environmentally benign, and compatible with the earth’s lifecycle. If we can define and create sustainable knowledge, this will be a critical step in solving our environmental problems.
About the Author
Bunyan Bryant, the editor of “Environmental Crisis of Crisis of Epistemology?”, is a professor in University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment. He is one of the architects of the Environmental Justice Movement and has edited and written articles on the Movement. Two edited books of note are: “Race and the Incidence of Environmental Hazards: A Time for Discourse” and “Environmental Justice: Issues, Policies, and Solutions”. Bunyan has been the recipient of many awards namely: The Damu Smith Power of One Environmental Justice Award and the Dream Keeper Award for his tireless work to enhance diversity, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Justice Award for outstanding service as a charter member of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and the William D. Milliken Distinguished Service Award, the state of Michigan highest environmental award.
Residence: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Table of Contents
Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1: Environment, Science, and Culture, by Sylvia Tesh, Ph.D.
CHAPTER 2: Looking Upstream Virginia, by Ashby Sharpe, Ph.D.
CHAPTER 3: Environment Ethics and Environment Justice, by John Callewaert, Ph.D.
CHAPTER 4: Power and Knowledge in Regulating American Indian Environments: The Trust Responsibility, Limited Sovereignty, and the Problem of Difference, by Darren J. Ranco, Ph.D.
CHAPTER 5: Scientific Knowledge in the Context of Environmental Justice, by Mutambo Mpanya, Ph.D.
CHAPTER 6: Knowledge Making as Intervention: The Academy and Social Change, by Angana P. Chatterji, Ph.D. and Richard Shapiro, Ph.D.
CHAPTER 7: Climate and Environmental Justice, by Dale Jamieson, Ph.D.
CHAPTER 8: Summary and Conclusion, by Bunyan Bryant, Ph.D.