P.Sutton, Lecturer in Sociology, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

• Acknowledgements viiPreface ix1 Natural Environments 1Defining Nature and Environment 1Humans in Natural Environments 7Natural and Artificial Environments 14Conclusion 162 Knowing the Environment 18Involvement and Detachment 18The Scientific Revolution 22Social Constructions of Nature 26Critical Realism 32Conclusion 363 Experiencing the Environment 38An Environment of the Senses 38Experiencing Environments 41Ecological Identifications 44Ecological Citizenship 524 Transforming the Environment 55Social Development and the Environment 55Industrialization 59Urbanization 64The Treadmill of Production and Consumption 675 Polluting the Environment 72Types of Pollution 72Awareness and Significance of Pollution 74Sensitivity to Risks 80Conclusion 886 Defending the Environment 91Changing Attitudes 91The Modern Origins of Nature Conservation 95The Development of Environmentalism 99Conclusion 1077 Politicizing the Environment 109A Politics of Nature 109Ecologism: A New Political Ideology 113The Emergence of Green Parties 116Conclusion 1248 Sustaining the Environment 126The Idea of Sustainable Development 126A Brief History of Sustainable Development 130Sustainable Development in Practice 135Can Societies Become Sustainable? 139Conclusion 1429 A Global Environment 144What is Globalization? 144The Biosphere as Environment 148Global Problems, Global Solutions? 150Conclusion 161Glossary 164References and Further Reading 170Index 178

"This is in every way an excellent textbook."Times Higher Education "This book is an excellent introduction for students new to this area of inquiry and should enthuse them to deepen their investigation of some of the most important issues of the 21st century."Sociology“In a relaxed and readable style, Sutton introduces key concepts with a light touch, illustrating theories with major events and relevant contemporary issues.”Area"Phillip Sutton has crafted a systematic and thorough introduction to the social science of the environment: its definition, transformation, politicization and defence. He expansively charts the emergence of the field and points to how global changes and politics will affect its future. This book will become a key resource for new students of environmental sociology and a point of engagement for future discussion."Hank Johnston, San Diego State University"Philip Sutton combines an excellent introduction to the sociology of the environment with an innovative approach to the field. A stimulating and wide-ranging text."Tim Newton, Exeter University"Written for undergraduate students, Philip Sutton’s The Environment demands no prior knowledge of sociology. Remaining faithful to its subject matter, the book ranges freely across human and environmental sciences. Sutton rejects the “retreat into the present” that characterizes much contemporary sociology and frames environmental problems in relation to very long-term processes of human social development. This “sociological introduction” is challenging in all the right ways."Stephen Quilley, Keele University

P.Sutton, Lecturer in Sociology, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

• Acknowledgements viiPreface ix1 Natural Environments 1Defining Nature and Environment 1Humans in Natural Environments 7Natural and Artificial Environments 14Conclusion 162 Knowing the Environment 18Involvement and Detachment 18The Scientific Revolution 22Social Constructions of Nature 26Critical Realism 32Conclusion 363 Experiencing the Environment 38An Environment of the Senses 38Experiencing Environments 41Ecological Identifications 44Ecological Citizenship 524 Transforming the Environment 55Social Development and the Environment 55Industrialization 59Urbanization 64The Treadmill of Production and Consumption 675 Polluting the Environment 72Types of Pollution 72Awareness and Significance of Pollution 74Sensitivity to Risks 80Conclusion 886 Defending the Environment 91Changing Attitudes 91The Modern Origins of Nature Conservation 95The Development of Environmentalism 99Conclusion 1077 Politicizing the Environment 109A Politics of Nature 109Ecologism: A New Political Ideology 113The Emergence of Green Parties 116Conclusion 1248 Sustaining the Environment 126The Idea of Sustainable Development 126A Brief History of Sustainable Development 130Sustainable Development in Practice 135Can Societies Become Sustainable? 139Conclusion 1429 A Global Environment 144What is Globalization? 144The Biosphere as Environment 148Global Problems, Global Solutions? 150Conclusion 161Glossary 164References and Further Reading 170Index 178

"This is in every way an excellent textbook."Times Higher Education "This book is an excellent introduction for students new to this area of inquiry and should enthuse them to deepen their investigation of some of the most important issues of the 21st century."Sociology“In a relaxed and readable style, Sutton introduces key concepts with a light touch, illustrating theories with major events and relevant contemporary issues.”Area"Phillip Sutton has crafted a systematic and thorough introduction to the social science of the environment: its definition, transformation, politicization and defence. He expansively charts the emergence of the field and points to how global changes and politics will affect its future. This book will become a key resource for new students of environmental sociology and a point of engagement for future discussion."Hank Johnston, San Diego State University"Philip Sutton combines an excellent introduction to the sociology of the environment with an innovative approach to the field. A stimulating and wide-ranging text."Tim Newton, Exeter University"Written for undergraduate students, Philip Sutton’s The Environment demands no prior knowledge of sociology. Remaining faithful to its subject matter, the book ranges freely across human and environmental sciences. Sutton rejects the “retreat into the present” that characterizes much contemporary sociology and frames environmental problems in relation to very long-term processes of human social development. This “sociological introduction” is challenging in all the right ways."Stephen Quilley, Keele University

P.Sutton, Lecturer in Sociology, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

• Acknowledgements viiPreface ix1 Natural Environments 1Defining Nature and Environment 1Humans in Natural Environments 7Natural and Artificial Environments 14Conclusion 162 Knowing the Environment 18Involvement and Detachment 18The Scientific Revolution 22Social Constructions of Nature 26Critical Realism 32Conclusion 363 Experiencing the Environment 38An Environment of the Senses 38Experiencing Environments 41Ecological Identifications 44Ecological Citizenship 524 Transforming the Environment 55Social Development and the Environment 55Industrialization 59Urbanization 64The Treadmill of Production and Consumption 675 Polluting the Environment 72Types of Pollution 72Awareness and Significance of Pollution 74Sensitivity to Risks 80Conclusion 886 Defending the Environment 91Changing Attitudes 91The Modern Origins of Nature Conservation 95The Development of Environmentalism 99Conclusion 1077 Politicizing the Environment 109A Politics of Nature 109Ecologism: A New Political Ideology 113The Emergence of Green Parties 116Conclusion 1248 Sustaining the Environment 126The Idea of Sustainable Development 126A Brief History of Sustainable Development 130Sustainable Development in Practice 135Can Societies Become Sustainable? 139Conclusion 1429 A Global Environment 144What is Globalization? 144The Biosphere as Environment 148Global Problems, Global Solutions? 150Conclusion 161Glossary 164References and Further Reading 170Index 178

"This is in every way an excellent textbook."Times Higher Education "This book is an excellent introduction for students new to this area of inquiry and should enthuse them to deepen their investigation of some of the most important issues of the 21st century."Sociology“In a relaxed and readable style, Sutton introduces key concepts with a light touch, illustrating theories with major events and relevant contemporary issues.”Area"Phillip Sutton has crafted a systematic and thorough introduction to the social science of the environment: its definition, transformation, politicization and defence. He expansively charts the emergence of the field and points to how global changes and politics will affect its future. This book will become a key resource for new students of environmental sociology and a point of engagement for future discussion."Hank Johnston, San Diego State University"Philip Sutton combines an excellent introduction to the sociology of the environment with an innovative approach to the field. A stimulating and wide-ranging text."Tim Newton, Exeter University"Written for undergraduate students, Philip Sutton’s The Environment demands no prior knowledge of sociology. Remaining faithful to its subject matter, the book ranges freely across human and environmental sciences. Sutton rejects the “retreat into the present” that characterizes much contemporary sociology and frames environmental problems in relation to very long-term processes of human social development. This “sociological introduction” is challenging in all the right ways."Stephen Quilley, Keele University