Provides historical, social and political background for understanding the 'social crisis of the environment' - often blamed on the technological systems of 'Western Industrialised Society'. Also examines alternative visions such as 'Deep Ecology', 'Ecofeminism', and 'Ecological Democracy'. Key developments of thought and action in Western society are related to present day environmental politics. Topics include: pre-industrial developments in Europe; the ideas of the Enlightenment; changing images of nature; ecological impacts of industrialisation; globalisation; and public participation. Examples are drawn from the politics of energy systems, the relationship between agriculture and civilisation, and the politics of waste.