Metanarrative and the Environment: A Story of Morality, Agency, and Governance

Activists are addressing global environmental degradation through concrete problems like carbon emissions and climate change, but the magnitude and momentum of modern industrial society make manual corrections insufficient. In Metanarrative and the Environment, Stephen James Purdey argues that material approaches to the environmental crisis require the power of a legitimating discourse, a new metanarrative, to fundamentally change the ideational landscape of human development. The book is multidisciplinary and will be of interest to students, activists, and academics seeking a new way forward.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 138 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Activists have taken on the daunting challenge of addressing global environmental degradation through focused efforts on critical issues such as carbon emissions, climate change, the destruction of ecosystems and habitats, and the rapid loss of biodiversity. These problems stem from irresponsible human actions, resulting in numerous unfortunate consequences. Despite these valiant efforts, the magnitude and unstoppable momentum of modern industrial society have overshadowed these manual attempts to rectify the course of history.

In his book "Metanarrative and the Environment," Stephen James Purdey argues that material solutions to the environmental crisis require the influence of a legitimating discourse, a new metanarrative, that profoundly alters the conceptual framework of human development. Dr. Purdey begins by establishing the pragmatic aspects of our environmental predicament, exploring its roots and responses. He delves into the concept, definition, and essential features of metanarrative, introducing the dominant narrative that currently shapes the global mindset.

In Part II, Dr. Purdey takes a more direct approach to the moral dilemma, encouraging the emergence of a new metanarrative by highlighting our potential for agency in the face of danger. This multidisciplinary book draws from various fields, with a particular emphasis on the creative humanities. It appeals to undergraduate and graduate students, environmental activists, and scholars seeking innovative solutions to the environmental crisis. By embracing the power of a legitimating discourse and fostering a new metanarrative, we can strive towards a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with our planet.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 142 x 223 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032647043