"This all combines into an intensive introduction to an important aspect of communication―written by a man who has played an active part in the field about which he writes." ―COMMUNICATION BOOKNOTES QUARTERLY Environmental Communication and the Public Sphere is the first book to offer a comprehensive introduction to the growing field of environmental communication. This groundbreaking book focuses on the role of communication in influencing the ways in which we perceive the environment as well as what actions we and others take in our relations to the natural world.   Key Features : Provides comprehensive coverage :  Thorough treatment is given of the complexity and range of issues, sites, and practices in the field. All of the basic areas of environmental communication are surveyed, including citizen involvement, media, conflict resolution, "green marketing," and much more. Many of the practices of media, corporations, and advocacy groups that are not readily available in public sources are examined. - Blends scholarship and hands-on experience : Current scholarship is combined with the use of examples and case studies to describe the different forums and the diversity of voices speaking about the environment (such as journalists, environmental groups, public officials, scientists, ordinary citizens, and corporate lobbyists).  Author Robbie Cox draws on his personal experiences as two-time president of the largest U.S. environmental group―The Sierra Club―to offer insights into the workings of citizens′ efforts, the media, advocacy campaigns, and other "real world" cases of environmental communication. - Encourages citizen participation : Students are given insight into the practical ways to participate publicly in influencing the decisions of governmental agencies that affect the environment. In addition, "Act Locally" exercises provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge of the principles of environmental communication on their campus and in their community.   Intended Audience : Ideal for undergraduate students in the fields of Communication and Environmental Studies studying Environmental Communication, Environmental Rhetoric, Media and the Environment, or Introduction to Environmental Studies. The text is also appropriate for courses studying environmental movements in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology.   "Writing for undergraduate students, Cox explains how communication shapes perceptions of environmental issues; surveys some of the media and public forums that are used for environmental communications and some of the communication practices of ordinary citizens, scientists, corporate lobbyists, and others seeking to influence decisions about nature and the human environment; and identifies conversations and debates taking place locally and globally that students and activists can join." -- SciTech ― Book News Published On: 2006-12-05 "This all combines into an intensive introduction to an important aspect of communication―written by a man who has played an active part in the field about which he writes." ―COMMUNICATION BOOKNOTES QUARTERLY -- Christopher H. Sterling ― Communication Booknotes Quarterly - Vol 39:I January-March 2008 Published On: 2008-03-18 Robert Cox is Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His principal research areas are environmental and climate change communication and strategic studies of social movements. A internationally-recognized leading scholar who helped found the field of environmental communication, Cox is coeditor of The Routledge Handbook of Environment and Communication (2015; second edition forthcoming), editor of the four-volume reference series Environmental Communication (Sage, 2016), and the author of numerous studies of environmental and climate change campaigns. He has served three times (1994-1996; 2000-2001; 2007-2008) as president of the Sierra Club, the largest grassroots U.S. environmental organization, and was also on the board of directors for Earth Echo International, whose mission is “to empower youth to take action that restores and protects our water planet.” Cox also continues to advise environmental groups on their communication programs. He regularly participates in environmental and climate change initiatives and has campaigned with former vice president Al Gore, singer Melissa Etheridge, and other public figures. He also enjoys hiking and trekking in the Himalayas, Europe, and the southern Appalachian Mountains in the United States.