The Environmentalism of the Poor

A Study of Ecological Conflicts and Valuation

Joan Martínez-Alier, Professor of Economics and Economic History, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain

The Environmentalism of the Poor has the explicit intention of helping to establish two emerging fields of study – political ecology and ecological economics – whilst also investigating the relations between them.

‘This is a wonderful book – rich in empirical detail, full of theoretical insights, offering hope in a bleak world, altogether inspiring. . . a tremendous achievement of having helped to create the disciplines of ecological economics and political ecology, bringing them alive in this book, and making their insights available to the developing worldwide movement for environmental justice.’
– Pat Devine, Environmental Values

‘Any book by the ecological economist Joan Martinez-Alier is a Big Publishing Event. . . this is a book by a writer who loves his subject, knows it well, respects its history, and is driven by the desire to do justice. These are qualities enough to send you to the bookshop or the library in search of The Environmentalism of the Poor.’
– Andrew Dobson, Environment Politics

‘The book is a worthy and in-depth contribution to debates about political ecology and ecological economics. It should be read by all environmental and ecological economists who wish to make their analysis more relevant.’
——蒂姆·福赛斯发展研究的进展

‘A marvellous combination of insight, research and activism. . . A must-read for policymakers, practitioners and academics alike, and for anyone concerned with sustainable development, environmentalism or poverty alleviation.’
– Human Ecology Journal

‘. . . one of the most important environmental books to have been published recently. Martinez-Alier integrates two of the most significant areas of environmental theory – political ecology and ecological economics.’
– Eurig Scandrett, Friends of the Earth Scotland

‘The book has three main strengths: its bibliography, which is extensive; the global perspective on the environmental movement and the relationship with poverty; and the general theme of this interdisciplinary work, which is not so much to provide new information, but to consider the existing information in a new light. Martinez-Alier is to be commended for taking such a step in the literature . . . the writing style is extremely approachable . . . Recommended.’
– B.J. Peterson, Choice

‘[Joan] Martinez-Alier combines the honest discipline of a scholar with the passionate energy of an activist. The result, The Environmentalism of the Poor, is highly recommended!’
– Herman E. Daly, University of Maryland, College Park, US