This text investigates the moral obligations humans hold toward the natural world and the theoretical frameworks used to justify environmental policy. The authors, David Schmidtz and Elizabeth Willott, compile a comprehensive selection of primary source readings and analytical essays to explore the intersection of ethics, economics, and ecology. The book provides a structured approach to evaluating competing interests in conservation, resource management, and sustainability.

Experts and educators frequently cite this collection as a foundational resource for undergraduate courses in environmental ethics due to its balanced selection of diverse viewpoints. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires a strong grasp of ethical theory to fully synthesize the arguments presented.