Schmidtz discusses environmental conflicts based on conflicting uses, values, and priorities. He distinguishes between “conservationists” and “preservationists” and contends, “Environmentalists need to avoid thinking of economics as the enemy, because that antipathy interferes with understanding what it takes to resolve conflicting priorities in environmentally benign ways.”

Ahmed advocates a “solution-based framework” for addressing environmental issues. He examines two successful environmental case studies, at global and local levels, to illustrate how “scientific and technical knowledge, complemented by human creativity, imagination, and … common sense, can go a long way to bring about a more environmentally sustainable future.”