Sustainable Development: Science, Ethics, and Public Policy

This text examines the role of science, economics, law and ethics as generally applied to decision-making on sustainable development, particularly in respect to the recommendations contained in Agenda 21. Specifically, the book examines the role, capabilities and certain strengths and weaknesses of these disciplines and their ethical implications in the context of sustainable development problems. Such an analysis is necessary to determine whether sustainable development problems create important new challenges and problems for government so that, where appropriate, new tools or approaches may be designed to overcome limitations or take advantage of the strengths of current scientific, economic and legal capabilities. This book is intended for environmental professionals, whether academic, governmental or industrial, or those in the private consultancy sector. It is also suitable as an upper-level text or reference.