An introduction to the many strands of thought within the western environmental movement. It provides a comprehensive overview of the complex and endlessly transforming state of western environmentalism, surveying the main strands of thought from the fields of politics, philosophy, and economics.

This text sets out to introduce the many strands of thought within the western environmental movement. It provides a comprehensive overview of the complex and endlessly transforming state of western environmentalism, surveying the main strands of thought from the fields of politics, philosophy, religion, and economics. Peter Hay presents the major issues debated in these fields by environmentalists, and also by their opponents. Each chapter covers the main strands of thought in detail and also includes the seminal contributions from any "sub-strands". Each chapter concludes with a section considering the problems that face the particular line of thought presented.

The ecological impulse
eco-philosophy
ecofeminism
religion, spirituality and the green movement
green critiques of science and knowledge
reclaiming place - seeking an authentic ground for being
green political thought - the authoritarian and conservative traditions
environmental liberalisms - green thought meets the dismal science
green political thought - the socialist traditions
seeking "Homo Ecologicus" - ecology, democracy, postmodernism.