How to Think Seriously About the Planet
Atlantic Books, 2012 (also published as How to Think Seriously About the Planet: The Case for an Environmental Conservatism by Oxford University Press in 2012) Amazon
Publisher’s Presentation:
The environment has long been the undisputed territory of the political Left, which has seen the principal threats to the earth as issuing from international capitalism, consumerism and the over-exploitation of natural resources. In Green Philosophy, Scruton argues that conservatism is far better suited to tackle environmental problems than either liberalism or socialism. He shows that rather than entrusting the environment to unwieldy NGOs and international committees, we must assume personal responsibility and foster local sovereignty. People must be empowered to take charge of their environment, to care for it as a home, and to affirm themselves through the kind of local associations that have been the traditional goal of conservative politics. Our common future is by no means assured, but as Roger Scruton clearly demonstrates in this important book, there is a path that we can take which could ensure the future safety of our planet and our species.
OUP Presentation:
– Presents the environmental crisis and its ramifications as a whole, drawing from philosophy, psychology, history, and economics.
– Offers a new way of looking at environmental problems that is in keeping with human nature.
– Encourages readers to seek attainable solutions to environmental problems by starting at the local level.
Reviews:
“A dazzling book” Sunday Times
“Beautifully written and ambitious in its scope…An immensely readable book and a valuable contribution to the debate over environmental politics.” Independent
“The Tories want the environmental agenda back and they have one of the best philosophers of our time leading the charge.” Daily Telegraph
About the Author:
Wikipedia; see also the References page and the JOB’s Comments on some of his books.
Jan Olof Bengtsson 