Philip Cafaro is a professor of philosophy at Colorado State University. His books include Virtue Ethics and the Environment and Thoreau’s Living Ethics: Walden and the Pursuit of Virtue (Georgia). Eileen Crist is an associate professor in the Department of Science and Technology in Society at Virginia Tech. Her books include Gaia in Turmoil: Climate Change, Biodepletion, and Earth Ethics in an Age of Crisis.
Life on the Brink is a timely and valuable volume, bringing
together an impressive set of cutting-edge essays by leading
scholars from a wide range of disciplines. The essays address human
population growth and issues associated with it from a variety of
important (and all-too-often overlooked) perspectives. The work
here is empirically well grounded and goes well beyond tired claims
that overconsumption is the problem of the wealthy nations, while
overpopulation is the problem of those that are developing, or that
'business-as-usual' development alone will inevitably lead to a
desirable outcome for the human population. Cafaro and Crist have
brought together a volume that will be of great interest for any
scholars working on development, population, and environmental
issues; indeed, most all of the essays would also be very useful in
advanced undergraduate or graduate courses in these areas.--Jason
Kawall "associate professor of philosophy and environmental
studies, Colgate University"
All of the diverse threats to biological diversity are ultimately
caused by an increasing human population and a rising standard of
living. In Life on the Brink, the authors ask us to consider that
the major environmental, social, and economic problems of the world
could be dealt with more easily if the human population stabilized
or even began to shrink. This is a bold statement by leaders who
are not afraid of speaking the truth about how to protect
nature.--Richard B. Primack "author of Essentials of Conservation
Biology"
For decades, overpopulation deniers have claimed that those who
advocate population stabilization or reduction do so to retain
privileges; are motivated by racist, sexist, or colonialist views;
or do not understand economics. Life on the Brink courageously
argues that intelligent and compassionate action in our world
demands that we reduce our numbers as quickly and humanely as
possible. Its urgent message should be widely read and acted
upon.--Bron Taylor "author of Dark Green Religion: Nature
Spirituality and the Planetary Future"
In this challenging anthology, coeditors Philip Cafaro and Eileen
Crist, together with some two dozen contributors, resolutely
confront what until quite recently has been the 'toxic third rail'
in far too many discussions of humanity's environmental past,
present, and future. The book's principal concern and recurrent
theme is how 'wild nature, ' the totality of life's biological
diversity, ecological complexity, and evolutionary dynamism, will
survive and flourish in the face of a rapidly expanding global
human enterprise (i.e., modern
agricultural/industrial/technological civilization). As the title
suggests, confronting ongoing population growth is of critical
importance. Simply stated, the authors persuasively argue that
global human numbers--along with excessive per capita
consumption--must initially be slowed, then stabilized, and
subsequently reduced as rapidly and as humanely possible to levels
consistent with the earth's longer-term sustainable carrying
capacity, a number that may well turn out to be in the one to three
billion range.--J. Kenneth Smail "professor emeritus of
anthropology, Kenyon College"
The desire for families is built into our genes; and since people
have a right to reproduce, more people living a more abundant life
is a perennial hope. But seven billion and escalating to ten or
twelve? Too many people is arguably the most serious problem on the
world agenda--for the adverse effects on human flourishing, on land
health, and on biodiversity. . . . Cafaro and Crist have gathered
much of the best recent work analyzing these daunting issues. In
the new millennium no one can claim to be well educated, or moral,
without facing 'life on the brink.'--Holmes Rolston III "Colorado
State University"
[Life on the Brink] provides evidence that the world's populations
must listen to its scientists/researchers and take action to save
Earth. Its poignant message makes it an important resource for all
students.--Choice
Any environmental science or social issues collection will find
Life on the Brink packs in much food for classroom discussion,
debate, and thought.--Midwest Book Review
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