A researcher is conducting a survey among employees of a large multinational corporation. The terms of the contract stipulate that the study participants will receive compensation for completing both the multiple-choice questionnaire and the open-ended questions. During the analysis of the results, the researcher observed that numerous participants responded to the questions hastily and without adequate reflection. Consequently, she convened a meeting with a randomly selected group of participants to address their behavior. The three economic enlightenment theories offer distinct perspectives from which she can argue that the participants ought to have approached the test with greater attentiveness despite the absence of such stipulation in the contract. Notably, the participants may invoke these three perspectives to rationalize (or self-condemn) their actions.

I wrote this book in the hope that it would help protect the planet for my son, his generation, and future generations. The preface describes my motivation for writing this book, some of the experiences that have shaped the book itself including my research in Ethiopia, my experiences as a new mother, a researcher, a teacher, and a practicing dietitian. The preface likens Earth to a very sick patient and how as clinicians we would do everything in power to save her, and that it is time to treat Earth in that same manner, and do everything we can to save her. It is a very emotional and powerful message to the reader.