Choosing Our Future

Ann Taylor is Britain's first Cabinet-level spokesperson for environmental protection. In this book she presents a personal yet highly rigorous analysis of the environmental problems facing us and of the ways in which they can be addressed. Her arguments are cast in the mould of practical politics: her concern is to work within a feasible economic framework. She considers for example the possibilities for working with industry and the business community. Central to the philosophy of the book is the notion of personal empowerment. Each individual has the capacity to make a difference and the government must provide the education that will allow individuals to make informed decisions and the framework, institutions and resources that will make their decisions count. The book looks at the history of labour movement involvement with environmental issues from the nineteenth century to the present day and surveys the effects of current government policy. It also stresses the importance of addressing these international problems collectively, within Europe and worldwide. This book should be of interest to undergraduates in politics and development, politicians, members of the green and labour movements and general readers.