Guides readers through the scientific, political, economic, and ethical issues associated with harvesting fish from the ocean. Considers whether fisheries are in danger of collapse, should we stop eating fish, can fishing lead to extinction of certain species, and how to end overfishing so commercial fishing be carried out in a sustainable way. Discusses

(OCEANS * FISHERIES * FOOD/AGRICULTURE)

Humans value a great variety of plant and animal species for their usefulnesss. McCord explores urgent questions about destruction of species, advocates on behalf of biodiversity and defends all nonhuman forms of life, claiming that individual species are interesting in their own right; they rise above other values and merit enduring human embrace.

(BIODIVERSITY * VALUE OF SPECIES * SPECIES DESTRUCTION)

Many communities and regions are still vulnerable to extreme events and natural hazards. Climate-related changes such as rising sea levels will seriously affect livelihoods in many areas. More than 20% of the population in developing countries could face the risks of various hazards such as toxic buildups of salt in the soil, flooding, and coastal storm surges. Combines practical examples from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe with theoretical and conceptual frameworks for anticipating, preparing for, and responding to disasters.

(NATURAL HAZARDS * DISASTER RESILIENT SOCIETIES * VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT)

Calls for more effective environmental protection through smarter, more flexible regulatory approaches.

(ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION * ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION REGULATION)

The environment has long been the undisputed territory of the political Left, which casts international capitalism, consumerism, and over-exploitation of natural resources as the principal threats to the planet, and sees top-down interventions as the most effective solution. No large-scale environmental project, however well-intentioned, will succeed if it is not rooted in small-scale practical reasoning. Argues for the greater efficacy of local initiatives over global schemes, civil association over political activism, small-scale institutions of friendship over regulatory hyper-vigilance, and conservatism as far better suited to solving environmental problems than liberalism or socialism. People must be empowered to take charge of their environment, to care for it as they would a home.

(ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATISM * CONSERVATISM AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY)

An estimated 100 million nonhuman vertebrates worldwide – including primates, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, birds, rats, and mice – are bred, captured, or otherwise acquired every year for research purposes. Much of this research is seriously detrimental to the welfare of these animals, causing pain, distress, injury, or death. Explores the ethical controversies that have arisen over animal research; considers how moral theory can be brought to bear on the practical issues of animal research; looks at the possibilities of biotechnology; and considers how to achieve a more productive dialogue on this polarizing subject.

(ANIMAL RESEARCH AND ETHICS * ETHICS OF ANIMAL RESEARCH)

Explains the origin of the human condition and why it resulted in our domination of the Earth’s biosphere. Addresses three fundamental questions of religion, philosophy, and science while “overturning the famous theory that evolution naturally encourages creatures to put family first.” Draws on biology and social behavior to show that group selection, not kin selection, is the primary driving force of human evolution. The sources of morality, religion, and the creative arts are fundamentally biological in nature.

(HUMAN CONDITION AND EARTH * EVOLUTION OF HUMANITY)

Environmental disaster is still avoidable; stories of effective environmental recovery are inspiring and hopeful. Conservation work presented include: 1) the floodplains of Assam, where Indian rhinos have been brought back from extinction; 2) the pine forests of the Carolinas, where rare woodpeckers are protected; 3) South Africa’s conservation program that restores rivers, saves species, and creates jobs.

(ENVIRONMENT * CONSERVATION SUCCESSES WORLDWIDE)

Shows how the long history of human consumption has left our world drowning n waste, notably the atmospheric waste from burning fossil energy that is the key driver of climate change. Measures to counter individual problems (food shortages, climate change, atmospheric waste, energy) cannot work. Instead, we need to tackle their common cause – our staggering population growth.

(ENVIRONMENT * SUSTAINABILITY * CONSUMPTION AND SUSTAINABILITY * POPULATION AND SUSTAINABILITY * CLIMATE CHANGE)

Far too many suspected toxic hazards are unleashed every day that affect the development and function of our brain, immune system, reproductive organs, or hormones. No public health law requires product testing of most chemical compounds before they enter the market. Argues that just as pharmaceuticals and pesticides cannot be sold without pre-market testing, other chemical products should be subject to the same safety measures.

(POLLUTION * TOXIC CHEMICALS * CHEMICAL PRODUCTS UNTESTED)