Forsyth, Timothy. (2003) Critical Political Ecology The Politics of Environmental Science

Critical Political Ecology brings political debate to the science of ecology. As political controversies multiply over the science underlying environmental debates, there is an increasing need to understand the relationship between environmental science and politics. In this timely and wide-ranging volume, Tim Forsyth provides innovative approaches to applying political analysis to ecology, and shows how more politicized approaches to science can be used in environmental decision-making. Critical Political Ecology examines: • how social and political factors frame environmental science, and how science in turn shapes politics; • how new thinking in philosophy and the sociology of science can provide fresh insights into the biophysical causes and impacts of environmental problems; • how policy and decision makers can acknowledge the political influences on science and achieve more effective public participation and governance. The book discusses a variety of global environmental problems at local and global scales, including climate change, deforestation, GMOs, desertification and pollution. It also probes the activities of environmental social movements and international organizations such as the World Bank. Critical Political Ecology advances existing approaches to political ecology, science and politics by offering the means to integrate environmental politics with environmental science. It offers insights into blending social and natural science approaches to environmental problems, and for merging “political ecology” with “science studies.” Tim Forsyth is a lecturer in Environment and Development at the London School of Economics.