David Anderson releases a book on timely subject

RELEASED: Jan. 30, 2003

DANVILLE, KY—The threat of military action in Iraq and the associated U.S. dependence on foreign oil raise economic and ethical dilemmas for the American people. Should the United States drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? What value should we place on the benefits of preserving wilderness areas for future generations? And what investment should we make in alternative energy sources?

David Anderson, Blazer Associate Professor of Economics at Centre College, deals with such issues in his newest book, Environmental Economics and Natural Resource Management. The text, designed for the undergraduate student, gives readers a comprehensive, rigorous, policy-oriented look at an increasingly popular field of study.

"My colleagues in the field expressed a need for a new type of textbook with accessible coverage of today's hot topics, including biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental ethics," Anderson said. "My approach includes a host of pictures and illustrations for visual learners, and story-based explanations to increase interest without compromising content."

One of the unique aspects of the text is a section on the role of ethics in environmental policy and decision-making.

"In the recent past our environment has been the victim of poor ethical decisions. The same is true of our economy, our children and our political system," Anderson said. "It's incumbent upon us to address secular ethical issues as part of the education process."

Anderson's other four books deal with dispute resolution and economic education. One of his next projects is a book on conservation, moderation and simple living.

Anderson holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University and maintains the Environmental Education Station online (http://web.centre.edu/enviro). In addition to the environment, his research interests include economics of law, crime and punishment and dispute resolution.

For more information on Environmental Economics go to http://www.swcollege.com/bef/anderson/anderson-env1e/anderson-env1e.html or Anderson's personal site http://web.centre.edu/david/.

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