Joy A. Palmer – författare

First published in 1992. This book provides an introduction to the key environmental debates. By addressing specific global problems and placing them within an ethical context, the collection provides the reader with both theoretical and practical understanding of environmental issues. The contributors are internationally known figures drawn from a range of different disciplines, including geography, psychology, social policy and philosophy. The contributions range from those tackling individual concrete issues (such as nuclear waste and the threat to the rain forest) to those addressing matters of policy, principle and attitude (such as our obligations to future generations and the nature of technological risk). Emphasis lies not only on scientific facts, but on ethical perspectives—principles of trust, cooperation, far-sightedness, respect and concern for the future. The Environment in Question is designed as a text for students of philosophy, environmental science, environmental education, ecology and teacher education. It can be used as a self-contained, inter-disciplinary course book or in conjunction with relevant material. In addition, this collection of previously unpublished essays will interest professionals in each field, as well as the interested layperson concerned about this planet’s future. The substantial cross-section of concerns and approaches will provide all readers with the necessary background and insights to develop an awareness of the problems and to enter into the environmental debate.

Spirit of the Environment brings spiritual and religious concerns to environmental issues. Providing a much needed alternative to exploring human beings' relationship to the natural world through the restrictive lenses of 'science', 'ecology', or even 'morality', this book offers a fresh perspective to the field.Spirit of the Enironment addresses:* the environmental attitudes of the major religions;* the relationship between art and nature;* the Gaia hypothesis;* the non-instrumental values which have inspired environmental concern.Contributors range from a variety of disciplines including philosophy, comparative religion, education and social anthropology, providing students with an intriguing survey on the role that spirituality and religion play in nature.This is a vital collection for those eager to examine the relationship between the spiritual and the environment.

Fifty Key Thinkers on the Environment is a unique guide to environmental thinking through the ages. Joy A. Palmer, herself an important and prolific author on environmental matters, has assembled a team of thirty-five expert contributors to summarize and analyse the thinking of fifty diverse and stimulating figures – from all over the world and from ancient times to the present day. Among those included are: Philosophers such as Rousseau, Spinoza and Heidegger Activists such as Chico Mendes Literary giants such as Virgil, Goethe and Wordsworth Major religious and spiritual figures such as the Buddha and St Francis of Assisi.Lucid, scholarly and informative, these fifty essays offer a fascinating overview of mankind’s view and understanding of the physical world.