This book belongs to a cluster of books on environment and sustainability, including a book by Scott McNall on climate change and a future book by Timothy W. Luke on sustainability. The author argues that much of the literature on environmentalism has focused on issues of overproduction and has ignored consumption, especially wasteful consumption. She remedies that in her treatment, which draws attention to the environmental, cultural and personal implications of waste. Her discussion of personal responsibilities for consumption will appeal to students who seek to locate themselves in a global social structure. This timely book can be used in introductory sociology, social problems, and classes on environment and sustainability. The goal of this new, unique Series is to offer readable, teachable "thinking frames" on today's social problems and social issues by leading scholars, all in short 60 page or shorter formats, and available for view on http://routledge.customgateway.com/routledge-social-issues.html For instructors teaching a wide range of courses in the social sciences, the Routledge Social Issues Collection now offers the best of both worlds: originally written short texts that provide "overviews" to important social issues as well as teachable excerpts from larger works previously published by Routledge and other presses.
