State of the World 2004
Author: Brian Halweil, Lisa Mastny, Linda Starke, The Worldwatch Institute
List Price: $29.95
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ISBN: 0393058603
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company (January, 2004)
Sales Rank: 1,025,633
Average Customer Rating: 5 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
Food for thoughts.
Although I like the extended reading list provided by angry-bear and agree that SOTW 2004 provides mostly facts than solutions, I wouldn't say that it is disappointing. On the contrary, this is what the series is all about. Facts are the food for thoughts, and I dare to say that every reader of SOTW has her/his own ways of facing the challenge.The reasons are simple. The dire facts prompt us to think, to act, rather than simply to sit back in distress.
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Rating: 5 out of 5
The State of Consumption Today (Minus Real Alternatives)
Although reading them can be a bit depressing, annual WWI reports are always worth while, because unlike any other institute out there, they seek a comprehensive understanding of humanity's impact on the environment. This year, the format has changed a little. Instead of providing the usual litany of statistics outlining the global eco-crisis (fisheries collapsing, forests shrinking, rangelands deteriorating, soils eroding, species obliterated, temperatures rising, rivers running dry, water tables falling, ozone depletion expanding, more destructive storms brewing, polar ice caps melting, sea level rising, etc.), the focus is consumption - which makes sense, because if you know what the term eco-crisis means, and you want to do something to stop it, you are more than likely a consumer. As usual, the scholarship is excellent. Unfortunately, it lacks serious discussion of alternatives for individuals seeking do more than reduce, reuse, recycle and support green energy initiatives. In other words, as with all State of the World reports, it is only useful as a scholarly reference - or, to put it another way, not very useful. If you have already come to believe there is in fact a fundamental problem with the way industrial civilization works, I would recommend one of four books, depending on your outlook: (1) DERRICK JENSEN'S next book (due for release sometime this year) (2) PERMACUTLURE: Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability, by David Holmgren (3) Radical Simplicity: Small Footprints on a Finite Planet or (4) ECOVILLAGE LIVING: Restoring the Earth and Her People, by Hildur Jackson Karen Svensson. The first book, which will no doubt be as insightful as transformative as Jensen's earlier work, will address the issue of bringing down civilization. The second book utilizes system's theory and design science in an effort empower ordinary people to create their own permanent and sustainable communities. The third book, rather consumer-oriented and reformist in nature, offers radical advice on reducing your ecological footprint. The fourth book profiles various ecovillages all over the world and provides lots of practical advice for people seeking to join or start their own. If you are like me, you will no doubt read them all - and then some - but if you are just looking for a global eco-almanac on consumer trends, the State of the World 2004 will do. Of particular import were the sections on computers and cell phones, which detail the human health (cancers, miscarriages and birth defects) and environmental impacts (ground, air and water pollution) of the two industries. I've got blood on my hands for just posting this review. Similar Products
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