Taking Sides

by Goldfarb, Theodore D.

• ISBN13: 9780073031842
• ISBN10: 0073031844
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-04-01
• Publisher: MCG (Manual)

Summary

This debate-style reader is designed to introduce students to controversies in environmental policy and science. The readings, which represent the arguments of leading environmentalists, scientists, and policymakers, reflect a variety of viewpoints and are staged as "pro" and "con" debates. Issues are organized around four core areas: general philosophical and political issues, the environment and technology, disposing of wastes, and the environment and the future.

Table of Contents

PART 1 GENERAL PHILOSOPHICAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES	1	(126)
Should a Price Be Put on the Goods and Services Provided by the World's Ecosystems?	2	(18)
Does Wilderness Have Intrinsic Value?	20	(22)
Is the U.S. Endangered Species Act Fundamentally Sound?	42	(12)
Should Environmental Policy Be Redesigned to Cure Environmental Racism?	54	(22)
Is Limiting Population Growth a Key Factor in Protecting the Global Environment?	76	(18)
Does Environmental Regulation Unnecessarily Limit Private Property Rights?	94	(16)
Will Pollution Rights Trading Effectively Control Environmental Problems?	110	(17)
PART 2 THE ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY	127	(76)
Is Biotechnology an Environmentally Sound Way to Increase Food Production?	128	(16)
Do Environmental Hormone Mimics Pose a Potentially Serious Health Threat?	144	(16)
Is the Environmental Protection Agency's Decision to Tighten Air Quality Standards for Ozone and Particulates Justified?	160	(22)
Should Pollution Prevention and Reduction Be a Focus of Agricultural Policy?	182	(21)
PART 3 DISPOSING OF WASTES	203	(54)
Hazardous Waste: Should the ``Polluter Pays'' Provision of Superfund Be Weakened?	204	(18)
Municipal Waste: Is Recycling an Environmentally and Economically Sound Waste Management Strategy?	222	(16)
Nuclear Waste: Should the United States Continue to Focus Plans for Permanent Nuclear Waste Disposal Exclusively at Yucca Mountain?	238	(19)
PART 4 THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE FUTURE	257	(1)
Will Voluntary Action by Industry Reduce the Need for Future Environmental Regulation?	258	(18)
Do the Projected Consequences of Ozone Depletion Justify Phasing Out Chlorofluorocarbons?	276	(18)
Are Aggressive International Efforts Needed to Slow Global Warming?	294	(14)
Are Major Changes Needed to Avert a Global Environmental Crisis?	318