Bournemouth UniversityTwo academics from Bournemouth University (BU) have put their heads together to create the first textbook to extensively focus upon the theme of green economy. During the creation of their own postgraduate course, the pair discovered that there were very few textbooks that discussed both the practices and principles of the green economy.
‘An Introduction to the Green Economy’, created by Adrian C. Newton Director of the Green Economy MSc and Elena Cantarello a teacher on the course, aims to educate its readers by giving them an in depth explanation and scientific background to the green economy. As both the authors are lecturers on the course, they wanted to encourage and educate their readers as Newton says: “We believe that the green economy offers some tremendous opportunities for people wishing to develop careers in this area, so hopefully this book will help get them started.”
The eco duo also aimed to educate their readers to feel comfortable about debating the topic so, rather than telling readers what to think, they wanted to encourage them to think for themselves and decide their opinions based on a well-educated foundation of knowledge. As well as being the first of its kind, the book is different in that it also ties in the many different aspects and subjects that can affect the green economy such as psychology and law: “Bringing so many different subjects together is part of what makes the green economy so interesting as a subject, and hopefully this is reflected in the book.”
Adrian C. Newton, who is also a professor at the university, intertwines case studies to clearly show how effective the theories of green economy can be when put into practice, urging us to learn from other communities and focus on the potentials of the different disciplines of the green economy.
The pair have identified how overwhelming and disheartening it can be to focus on the state of the global economy but hope their use of case studies can inspire their readers to feel more positive towards the future of both their local and global economy. The book examines how large investments in disciplines such as green technology and renewable energy, could become the solution to current global economic and environmental crises.
Green economy is a very powerful, modern concept and this book is a positive representation of the hard work and efforts they have gone to in order to keep their readers and students green and keen!
Newton and Cantarello have also donated a number of their books to a good cause in Africa. Newton said, “We have waived royalties in return for a donation of copies to Book Aid International. 150 copies have been donated so far, which will be distributed to organisations throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including public and community libraries, and libraries in schools, universities, refugee centres, NGOs and prisons.
“Users of these libraries are often some of the most vulnerable and underprivileged in society. Our hope is that this book will support the development of green entrpreneurship and innovation in Africa, and thereby contribute to sustainable development within the region.”
The book is published by Earthscan/Routledge.
By Charlotte Cranny-Evans
Charlotte is a graduate of Budmouth College in Weymouth, who is working at Bournemouth University in the Press and PR Department. She joined BU on a Sir Samuel Mico Scholarship, which provides 10 students from the college with work experience for four weeks over the summer.