Scientific knowledge and technology alone cannot address environmental problems; they also involve difficult political choices and trade-offs both locally and globally. This concise introductory text explores the different ways in which society attempts to deal with the political decisions needed to prevent or recover from environmental damage.

Those who are concerned about the weakness of the Kyoto Protocol should first focus on persuading the United States to join, since this is the best way to let the process work and avoid a tragedy of the commons.