In this Book
- Green Grades: Can Information Save the Earth?
- Book
- 2017
- Published by: The MIT Press
summary
Consumers are confronted with a confusing array of environmental ratings on products that range from refrigerators to shampoos. Is the information that these ratings represent trustworthy, accurate, or even relevant to environmental concerns? "Information optimists" believe that these "green grades" can play an important role in saving the planet. "Information pessimists" consider them a distraction from pursuing legislative and regulatory actions. In this book, Graham Bullock offers a comprehensive assessment and analysis of the effectiveness and validity of such environmental ratings as ENERGY STAR, USDA Organic, the Forest Stewardship Council, LEED, and the Toxic 100 Air Polluters Index. Bullock stakes out a position as an "information realist," acknowledging both the contributions and the limitations of these initiatives. Drawing on interviews, case studies, and an original dataset of 245 environmental ratings and certifications, he examines what he calls the information value chain of green grades: organizational associations, content, methods, interfaces, and outcomes. He explores the relevance of the information to the issues; the legitimacy and accountability of sponsoring or cooperating organizations; the reliability of methods used to develop the information; the prominence and intelligibility of communication to the public; and the effects and effectiveness of the information after it emerges from the value chain. Bullock's analysis offers a realistic appraisal of the role of information-based environmental governance -- its benefits and shortcomings -- and its relation to other governance strategies.
Table of Contents
Download Full Book
- Appendix I: Background on the EEPAC Dataset
- pp. 251-258
- Appendix II: Interview Sampling Methods
- pp. 259-268
- Bibliography
- pp. 303-350
Additional Information
ISBN
9780262340984
Related ISBN(s)
9780262036429
MARC Record
OCLC
1002209919
Pages
408
Launched on MUSE
2017-09-07
Language
English
Open Access
No