Motor vehicles, the environment, and the human condition : driving to extinction / Hans A. Baer.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Baer, Hans A., 1944- author.

Series:

Environment and society.

Environment and society

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Automobiles--Environmental aspects.

Automobiles.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (259 pages).

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Maryland : Lexington Books, [2019]

Summary:

"The world now has more than a billion motor vehicles, and this number continues to increase as developing countries imitate developed societies in their adoption of the culture of automobility. Motor Vehicles, the Environment, and the Human Condition: Driving to Extinction explores the political ecology of motor vehicles in an era of growing social disparities and environmental crises, the latter of which are most manifest in anthropogenic climate change to which motor vehicles are a major contributor. A political, ecological perspective recognizes that motor vehicles, perhaps more than any other machine, embody the social, structural, cultural, and environmental contradictions of the capitalist world system. In addition to highlighting many of the environmental, social, and health consequences of humanity's increasing reliance on motor vehicles, particularly private automobiles, this book argues that, ultimately, as a species we need to move beyond motor vehicles as much as possible. However, such an effort will have to be part and parcel of creating an alternative world system based on social justice, democratic processes, environmental sustainability, and a safe climate, one termed democratic eco-socialism"--Back cover

Contents:

Introduction

1. The political economy of motor vehicles

2. Cultural tropes associated with motor vehicles

3. The political ecological impact of motor vehicles on settlement patterns

4. The impact of motor vehicles on the natural environment

5. The political ecological impact of motor vehicles on health

6. Case studies of motor vehicles in various places

7. Beyond the automobile

8. Creating a sustainable transportation system within the context of an alternative world system

References

Index

About the Author.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-7936-0489-4