The first book to examine the role of politics in environmental issues that matter to the poor and to advocate progressive ways forward
Edited by a powerful team of internationally respected environment and development researchers and practitioners
Presents a wealth of case study material from China, India, Pakistan, Colombia, Peru, East and South Africa and the Caribbean covering both terrestrial and aquatic resources and environments

There are growing concerns and recognition that some development work by governments, aid agencies and NGOs ignores poor people's dependence on environmental quality. There are also signs that some environmental work is pushing 'anti-people' protection methodologies.
This volume is the first to address the role of politics in environmental issues that matter to the poor and to examine the important links between poverty and environment. The book demonstrates how working within the national and local political context is crucial for addressing poverty-environment issues, such as environmental health, access to key natural resources for livelihoods, security and coping with environmental disasters. The editors advocate ways in which stakeholders can progress beyond bemoaning the "lack of political will", and show how political processes can be used to change things for the better -- from both poverty reduction and environmental perspectives.

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Creating Space for Civil Society in an Impoverished Environment
Shared Environmental Management to Decrease Poverty
Environment-Poverty Linkages in Natural Resource Management
The Evolving Roles of Environmental Management Institutions
Stories on Environment and Conflict
Coastal Resource Management and Local Governance
Working for Water
People, Perspectives and Reality
Community-designed, Built and Managed Toilet Blocks
'Concertación' (Reaching Agreement) and Planning for Sustainable Development
Conclusions
Bibliography