The Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Sociology serves as a repository of insight on the complex interactions, challenges and potential solutions that characterize our shared ecological reality. Presenting innovative thinking on a comprehensive range of topics, expert scholars, researchers, and practitioners illuminate the nuances, complexities and diverse perspectives that define the continually evolving field of environmental sociology.

This Research Handbook presents the state of the art of empirical sociological research on the causes of, and solutions to, pressing environmental problems. It provides cutting-edge insights into some of the most urgent challenges facing humanity, including anthropogenic climate change and environmental pollution. The contributors argue that profound collective efforts to protect the environment are vital for sustainable development and offer practical solutions to specific contemporary issues.

Acclaim for the first edition: 'The scope of the volume is vast and, overall, the Handbook amounts to an almost encyclopaedic reference text for scholars of environmental questions across the social sciences, be they in sociology, geography, political science or wherever.' – Neil Ward, Environmental Politics 'Each author writes with a distinctive style, yet the work flows well because the editors selected recognized scholars with outstanding credentials. Academic libraries, especially those serving a strong social science community, will find this work a worthwhile addition. Professors of sociology and environmental studies could use the essays for additional readings and reviews.' – Marjorie H. Jones, American Reference Books 'This International Handbook is an important addition to the growing concern and publication in the field of environmental sociology. Certainly any serious scholar in the field should find this edited reference work of interest. . .' – John J. Hartman, International Social Science Review This thoroughly revised Handbook provides an assessment of the scope and content of environmental sociology, and sets out the intellectual and practical challenges posed by the urgent need for policy and action to address accelerating environmental change. More than a decade has passed since the first edition of the Handbook was published to considerable acclaim, and environmental sociology has since become firmly established as a critical social science discipline. This second edition is a major interdisciplinary reference work comprising more than 25 original essays authored by leading scholars, many of whom are intimately involved in national, regional or global environmental policy processes. It marks some of the changes and continuities in the field of environmental sociology, and highlights today's substantive concerns and theoretical debates. The Handbook is divided into three parts covering concepts and theories, critical issues and international perspectives, each with an introduction outlining the content of the constituent chapters and cross-referencing some of the more significant themes that link them together. Authoritative and comprehensive, this Handbook will prove to be essential reading for academics, researchers and students across the social sciences who are interested in the environment. It will also be enthusiastically received by sustainable development policy-makers and practitioners.

Softbound - New, softbound print book.

Governments have at their disposal a broad range of policy instruments that they may use to influence behaviour and pursue environmental policy goals. This volume of the Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Law is a comprehensive guide to these environmental policy instruments, examining their characteristics, applications, strengths and limitations, as well as giving an overview of the most significant issues related to their adoption and effectiveness. With entries written by leading international scholars, this incisive volume provides insight into the cross-cutting issues that are common to discussions of such policy instruments, including the legal bases for their use, how instruments can be compared for costs, distributional questions, and monitoring and enforcement. Contributions also explore hybrids and blends of policy instruments and explain the relationships between them, using case studies and examples from around the world, as well as providing succinct summaries of the substantial literature in the field. Students and scholars in environmental law will find this volume to be an invaluable resource, for both its solid theoretical foundations and its analysis of undertreated issues in the field. Its discussion of how and why each policy tool might be used is particularly relevant for policymakers and practitioners.

'There is no shortage of recent dictionaries covering environmental law on reference shelves. What distinguishes this titles is its inclusive coverage of the international scene. For example, where all environmental law dictionaries have an entry for acid rain, Gilpin's Dictionary informs the reader about acid rain problems in Sweden, Norway, Germany and The Netherlands in addition to the United States and Canada. This Dictionary is useful, with balanced coverage of environmental issues throughout the world. . . due to its global inclusiveness and clear, nontechnical language, this dictionary should prove very useful on shelves of all types of libraries and for environmental, political, and legal practitioners.' – Georgia Briscoe, American Reference Books Annual 2002 'Gilpin addresses the elements of environmental law with an indispensable survey of the subject. . . . The strength of this dictionary lies in its international coverage. . . . Language is nontechnical and easily accessible to general readers. . . . Gilpin is recommended for those libraries and individuals interested in international environmental law.' – S.R. Moore, Choice 'I thought Gilpin's work was excellent. The coverage was thorough and extremely helpful without getting overly bogged down in unnecessary details. I also felt that there was a very useful balance between national coverage (as of European Union and United States statutes, concepts and cases) and international agreements. I am certain that scholars, political decision makers, legal practitioners, environmental activists and reference libraries will want to have Gilpin handy. It may well become an indispensable reference work in environmental law and policy.' – Thomas S. Ulen, University of Illinois, US This new dictionary makes an important and innovative contribution to the reference literature on the environment. International in scope, it provides up-to-date entries on macro and micro issues in environmental law in both developed and developing countries. Written by an author with both practical experience in the field, and six previous dictionaries to his name, this book adopts non-technical language to improve access to key topics in environmental law. It combines the use of case studies, best practice models, straightforward definitions and clear explanatory boxes. This dictionary will be invaluable to everyone involved with environmental law; including students of law as well as those in engineering and the social sciences. It will also provide essential reference for all official national and international agencies, environmental protection groups and NGOs, plus environment and planning departments at every level.

This volume of the Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Law provides thorough and detailed coverage of the changing meanings and roles of water law, from the local to the global. It examines the rules of ownership, rights of use, and dispute resolution that address access, allocation, and protection of water resources. Written by leading scholars and practitioners from across the globe, this authoritative volume will be a vital resource for all scholars and students of environmental law.