Lexington Books Caring for Creation: Hope in Difficult Times

Caring for Creation argues that progress has been made in areas such as protection of endangered species, the sustainable agriculture movement, and recycling. While much remains to be done in these and other areas, this progress is cause for optimism about the future. In substantial measure, the American experience is the story of environmental destruction and degradation: deforestation, annihilation of species, contamination of surface water and ground water, and much more. At the same time, the American experience is also the story of triumph: the preservation of threatened and endangered species such as American bison and bald eagles, new farming methods that reduce environmental impact, impressive gains in recycling. This volume documents those crises and successes. Today we face new challenges, among them climate change which, if not slowed down, will have devastating consequences. There is also more work to be done in areas in which progress has been made, including protection of endangered species and recycling. Yet, this volume argues, as we look at the progress that has been made, we may embrace the future with hope. The work contends that if we live our lives in ways conducive to the wellbeing of the biotic communities that sustain life and support candidates for public office and organizations committed to environmental protection, our children and grandchildren will have the opportunity to experience the goodness of a flourishing creation. Review In this well-researched and interesting volume, Daniel Lee offers a strong defense of a realistic stewardship ethic to guide reflection about issues in environmental ethics. Lee's perspective is rooted in key biblical texts but also expressed through Aldo Leopold's land ethic, Henry David Thoreau's appreciation for the grandeur of nature, and Wendell Berry's critique of modern agriculture. Lee's training in Christian Ethics is well reflected in his application of the Just War criteria to the ethics of regulatory intervention and in his discussion of the relevance of Aristotle's golden mean to issues related to rapacious consumption. A welcome companion text for courses in environmental ethics as well as an interesting text for congregational study groups.--James Martin-Schramm, Luther College Celebrate Earth as a garden!--from backyard to farm, agricultural field to flourishing wilderness, endangered species to sustainable biosphere (Garden of Eden). Give respect to and take responsibility for each landscape as land of promise, the promised land. Economic justice is inseparable from environmental justice, caring for people inseparable from caring for creation. Lee's penetrating, often detailed, account of smart land use and inept misuse is full of insights for difficult times.--Holmes Rolston III, Colorado State University About the Author Daniel E. Lee is the Marian Taft Cannon professor in the humanities at Augustana College and director of the Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics. He is author of numerous articles and ten books, including Human Rights and the Ethics of Globalization.