Environmental Deceptions: The Tension Between Liberalism and Environmental Policymaking in the United States

This book is the one to read before you start thinking about sprawl, conservation, environmental justice, deep ecology and risk-based analysis. You must first take time to understand what Lockean liberalism means and then the book takes off. I've never read a clearer explanation of why we must take back "the commons" in order to have a chance at clean water.

To fully appreciate this groundbreaking book, know that the John Locke definition of liberal is operating here, not the current political definition of liberal, which is left-leaning Democrat.Then, on to understand that Cahn's premise that the American environment (air, water, space) depends on our re-accepting that the air, water and space we share is just that: shared -- we must relinquish the idea that property rights mean one can do just anything on one's own property, without regard to adjacencies. This is a mind-altering book, basic to the understanding of environmental needs. Because it is not that we need to save a particular snail darter or owl but that if we can't preserve their habitats, we will also not be able to preserve our own.

Matthew Cahn's book _Environmental Deceptions_ offers an excellent overview and comprehensive analysis of U.S. environmental policies. Cahn's central thesis is that U.S. environmental regulatory and energy policies are largely symbolic, and more intended as a means to manage public opinion than an effort to protect the environment. With global warming becoming an ever growing reality, Cahn's position is taking on greater and greater importance. Therefore, for a precise understanding of our present environmental difficulties and the failure of our current environmental policies, _Environmental Deceptions_ is a must read. If you find Cahn's position and findings of interest, I would also recommend _Corporate Power and the Environment_, by George A. Gonzalez.