Reviews (2)

A tremendous book
The above reviewer will obviously have occupational health issues, because smoking weed while writing reviews will cause one to be disoriented, lose their balance, and possibly fall off a 100 story construction site beam.

This is an amazing book. While covering all of the topics in depth, this book is also easy to read, presenting the material in a fashion that allows the reader to recieve a complete understanding of the topic. This too was an assigned book for my class, and I'll be lucky if I get to take a Goetsch class again.

Poorly Written
This is one of the most poorly written textbooks I've read. The author, who is apparently a Phd, writes with the style of a 7th or 8th grader; he uses poor grammar, is painfully repetitive, uses jargon from differing areas of specialty (such as medical terms that require a medical dictionary to understand), leaves out information that should be there (based on the topics covered in my construction safety class), includes irrelevant information, and is flat out wrong about some topics (UL and ASTM would be interested to know "any relationship between a fire rating and the reality of fire resistance may be little more than coincidental".) This is especially frustrating considering this is the fourth edition. There is some evidence that the author has substantial knowledge about the topic. However, he is out of date in some areas and, in general, he presents that knowledge poorly. Also, judging from the breadth of topics this author had written about it appears the old cliche is true: "Jack of all trades. Master of none." While there is some decent information in this book, it is a chore to read. This was a required text for my class. If you have a choice in the matter choose something (anything) else. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Born in 1915, the mountaineer and outdoorsman David Brower has arguably been the single most influential American environmentalist in the last half of the 20th century; even his erstwhile foes at the Department of the Interior grudgingly credit him with having nearly single-handedly halted the construction of a dam in the heart of the Grand Canyon, and he has converted thousands, even millions, of his compatriots to the preservationist cause through his work with the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, and other organizations.

Brower was in the thick of battle when John McPhee profiled him for the New Yorker in a piece that would evolve into Encounters with the Archdruid. McPhee follows Brower into unusually close combat as Brower faces down a geologist who is, it seems, convinced that there is no sight quite so elevating as that of a fully operational mine; a developer who (successfully, it turned out) sought to convert an isolated stretch of the Carolina coast into a resort for the moneyed few--and who provided the title for McPhee's book, wryly opining that conservationists are at heart druids who "sacrifice people and worship trees"; and, most formidable of all, former Interior Secretary Floyd Dominy, who oversaw the construction of a structure that for Brower stands as one of the most hated creations of our time, Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. McPhee offers up an engaging portrait of Brower, a man unafraid of a good fight in the service of the earth, making Encounters an important contribution to the history of the modern environmental movement. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Arguably McPhee's finest book
As the other reviewers here have noted, this is John McPhee's superb recounting of three episodes in the life of famous environmental activist David Brower. The three people he encounters are a geologist, a land developer, and a dam builder. The structure of the book allows a revealing contrast between one of America's greatest environmental activists on three key issues. These are: 1) the desirability and advisability of exploring and mining for ore and minerals in protected wilderness areas, 2) whether it is preferable to develop land on the Atlantic Coast or allow it to be developed, and 3) the desirability of damming major rivers in the Southwest.

My favorite portion of the book featured Brower's encounter with the fascinating Charles Fraser, one of America's greatest and most gifted land developers. At debate was whether to develop Cumberland Island as a recreational and residential area, or whether to leave it wild and protect it as a National Seashore. The editorial reviewer inaccurately stated that Fraser was successful in his goal to develop it. He was not. Today Cumberland Island is a designated National Seashore. Fraser had hoped to develop Cumberland much as he had Hilton Head. What is compelling about Fraser is his desire to develop land on the one hand, with an intent to respect the physical surroundings to the greatest possible degree. Brower himself says in the book that while he is opposed to developing Cumberland Island, if anyone were to develop it, he would want Fraser to be that person.

The section of the book in which Brower and dam builder Floyd Dominy discuss a wide range of issues is fascinating not just in contrasting two fundamentally opposed viewpoints, but in bringing out both Brower's most conspicuous success and failure. The success was his leading the Sierra Club in opposing building a dam in the Grand Canyon. The tragedy was that in focusing on opposing the Grand Canyon, Brower and the Sierra Club were unable to fight the building of the Glen Canyon River Dam, for environmentalists and conservationists perhaps the single greatest tragedy since the building of the Hetch Hetchy Dam early in the 20th century. In building this dam, the ironically named Lake Powell was created. Many environmentalists refer to his as Lake Foul. The irony stems from the fact that it was named in "honor" of John Wesley Powell, who led the first expedition of Europeans to explore the entirety of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. Powell was deeply opposed to the development of the American West beyond the ability of the water supply to support the local population. He would, therefore, have been horrified to find such an anti-monument as this lake bearing his name. Edward Abbey's books are filled with vituperative attacks on the devastation wrought by the building of the Glen Canyon River Dam. There are several organizations that continue calling for the draining of Lake Powell.

Why is there so much outrage at this dam? In creating Lake Powell, the water covered some of the most excruciatingly beautiful landscape not only in the United States but the world. Just before the dam was completed and the waters filled the area, photographer Eliot Porter took a number of remarkable photographs chronicling the magnificence of what was lost. Instead of being covered with water, the area should have been declared a national park. The poignancy of the final section of McPhee's book is the since of the tragedy of the dam, and the two who struggled over its building, meet and talk.

a generation passes...
This was the book that introduced me to John McPhee (I grew up around the corner from Dave Brower)and it made me a lifelong fan of McPhees remarkable insights and abilities as a reporter. Here he takes Brower -probably the leading voice for landscape conservation in the second half of the 20th century- and puts him Up Close and Personal with three very remarkable antagonists: the greatest Dam builder in North America, the developer of Hilton Head, and with a mining engineer who has "an affinity for beds" -but has managed to spend nearly 8 years in total sleeping rough in search of minerals world-wide. What is most intriguing about this book is that one comes away with an appreciation of the complexities surrounding environmental issues. This is no polemic or one-sided rant, rather McPhee shows us the strengths and weaknesses of each of his characters, and by weaving the personal in with the political we are left to make up our own minds just who are the heroes and who the villains. Recently I used this book in an Environmental Lit. class & to my surprise about half of the students had never heard of Brower (hence the title of my review. In spite of this they were all captured by the artful transparency of McPhee's prose -they were on that raft with Dominy & Brower, they went up that mountain, they walked that beach, and most important, they had that conversation. Thirty years after its publication this book still has the zip to draw its reader in. Regardless of your position on Things Environmental, I encourage you to give this a good read.

too many dam dams
It made me want to hike the Sierra Nevada mountains. The cover of the book enticed me to read this book. The book was very informational about David Brower's life. It was good how the book was divided into three parts to makea it more interesting. John McPhee did a good job of describing how the mountains looked. It helped show how nature is affected by humans and how we shouldn't interfere with it. It was very interesting to see the differemt views of a conservationist verses a copper miner or a developer. Overall, this story has enlightened all of its readers to the effects of human growth and industrialization in the wilderness.

Encounters with an Archdruid
There are three parts to this book. The first is about A Mountain. Brower, Park, Brigham and some others go up the mountain in pursuit of copper. The second part of the book is about An Island. The Island is owned b a man named Charles Frazer. The chapeter deals with the developemnt of the Sea Pines Plantation. The third part of the book is The River. The men discuss the pros and cons of dams. The entire chapater is dedicated to the arguement oabout dams.
The book talks about the good and bads that come about with changes in the environment that maybe some people aren't aware of. Overall, this book reveals good information about the encirionment, but is boring. THe entire third part of the book is about the arguement over dams. At first. the arugements are humerous, but after 94 pages of arguement, it gets very redundant.
The first section of the book is much better than the other parts of the book. Brower and his group have several adventures, such as finding copper in a streamn. Also, they run into more people in the first section of the book, so fortunatly there are more viewpoints. One other partcularly interesting adventurous part was at the very end, when the men go down Lava Falls. Unfortunatly, the book was still rather dull, due to the reptiteveness of the themes in it. Basically, in each chapter, an interesting environmental theme is brought up. However, by the end of the chapter, the theme becomes like beating a dead horse.

review
The book is three stories involving hte controversial issues with different land areas. Each story involves a conservationist, David Brower, and opposition. In the mountains, David Brower( the archdruid mentioned in the title), aruges against Charles Park over the issue of a copper mine. On an island, Brower advises Charles Fraser against developing a secluded area. And finally, on the river, Brower arugues with Floyd Dominy about the construction of a dam. Although the three stories shared the same main character, they all stressed different opinions and ended differently. The story showed both extremes of a conservationist and opposition. The book is hard to follow and make connections. It also jumps from present to pas. This is apparent especially in the third story on the river when it jumps from ravelng along the river to Brower's past and resignation from the Sierra Club. The book is interesting as it shows the sides of both conservationist and opposition as expressed through extremely well written stories. Overal, we would recommend this book to people torn between the conservationst and oppositions standpoint but fails to include what we could do to help these issues. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Even those who think the idea of a "corporate soul" is an oxymoron will be persuaded by journalist David Batstone’s whip-smart suggestions for how values can reinvent an organization’s bad behavior. Saving the Corporate Soul alternates examples of principled companies like Clif Bar and Timberland with those of innovative leaders such as Denny’s CEO Jim Adams, who recovered from a $54 million racial discrimination lawsuit to create a company hailed for its recruitment of minorities. Batstone demonstrates his core belief that "companies thrive once they align the ethics of the company with the values that drive its workers and customers."Readers worried about psychobabble can relax. The topics are nuanced and substantive; they include reputation as the guardian of a company’s brand, restoring sanity to CEO compensation, operating with transparency, moving the company into the community, viewing the environment as a silent stakeholder, and defining core values for a global economy. Everyone in your organization should read this provocative and practical guide to the post-Enron era. --Barbara Mackoff ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Excellent and Essential Advice
David Batstone's excellent book on corporate integrity is a must-read for executives and managers who want ideas on how to create profitable but soulful businesses that show heart as well as logic. This is not a text that preaches from the pulpit or revels in moral condemnation of Enron's misdeeds. For those of us who are sick to the teeth of reading Enron/Anderson post-mortems, Batstone's book will come as a refreshing change.

Reputation building has always been a profitable way to grow a business. 'Reputation is not the same thing as a brand' Batstone says. Instead he says, 'Reputation is the perceived character a company holds to public eye', which is probably the best definition this reviewer has read. Using the eight principles outlined in the book, managers are guided through examples that have helped or hindered individual companies. IKEA vs Home Depot for example is cited in the Community section of the book - the underlying principle being 'A company will think of itself as part of a community as well as a market'. Which one would you rather have open a store in your community, and why? For the record, the residents of Mountain View, CA (a pretty town near to Silicon Valley) said they'd prefer an IKEA, and not because they like modular Swedish furniture.

The eight principles outlined in the book are:

Principle One: The directors and executives of a company will align their personal interests with the fate of stakeholders and act in a responsible way to ensure the vitality of the enterprise.

Principle Two: A company's business operations will be transparent to shareholder, employees and the public and its executives will stand by the integrity of their decisions.

Principle Three: A company will think of itself as part of a community as well as a market.

Principle Four: A company will represent its products honestly to customers and honor their dignity up to and beyond a transaction.

Principle Five: The worker will be treated as a valuable team member, not just a hired hand.

Principle Six: The environment will be treated as a silent stakeholder, a party to which the company is wholly accountable.

Principle Seven: A company will strive for balance, diversity and equality in its relationships with workers, customers and suppliers.

Principle Eight: A company will pursue international trade and production based on respect for the rights of workers and citizens of trade partner nations.

If you are looking for one book to share with others in your organization to start a discussion on integrity and reputation, Saving the Corporate Soul should be it.

The must-have book for business readers today
Finally, a book that outlines what CAN BE RIGHT with the corporate world. I've been a fan of David Batstone's journalism for years. In Saving the Corporate Soul, he outlines what all of us--leaders, managers, office workers--need to do to fix what's wrong with business in America. His eight principles are right on--and readily implementable. I've bought a copy for everyone on my management team. Read it now.

Picked low fruit missed the Agribusiness
This book is written very well and is pretty straightforward. So straight forward you can get most of the concepts of the book by reading the table of contents. There can't be much to argue with in the book because virtually every corporate hack who raked in the money during the obscene years is now preaching the same messages of corporate redemption. Expense stock options, treat employees fairly, create an environmental scorecard.... wake me up when it is over. In short, there is nothing new in these pages but the way it is recapped is very sweet primer on the subject. But my question is why did Batstone stop where he did? Where are the chapters relating to the ethics of afdvertising and PR? The ethics of obscene campaign contributions and political lobbying efforts? Where are the chapters about companies holding communities hostage by leveraging the threat of relocation for sweet tax deals? The chapters about what truly sustainable business practices mean about the globalization of companies?
Batstone does a nice job on the content he handles but fails miserably in addressing the core problems at the heart and soul of corporations today.

The Book for our Times
Batstone shows by numerous examples, compelling stories, and shrewd analysis, that running a business with integrity and values intact is indeed "good business". This refreshing book provides welcome reading in a time dominated by corporate scandals and public cynicism. I recommend this book to EVERYONE!!

NEED SOME ENCOURAGEMENT?
This is a time when we could use some encouragement, and that's what this author gives us. He astutely identifies and describes problems in the corporate world, but also suggests principles that could actually begin to resolve some of the problems; and he does it in an interesting, captivating writing style. He illustrates his points by citing very interesting, concrete experiences of others as well as some of his own. This book presents a challenge to corporations, but also a challenge to the individual. It calls for integrity and responsibility, and that's encouraging! ... Read more

Book Description

Valuing the Earth collects more than twenty classic and recent essays that broaden economic thinking by setting the economy in its proper ecological and ethical context. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Treasure Chest--The Originals Plus the Current Masters

This is one of three books that I bought for review with the intent of selecting one for broad pro-bono distribution. Although I chose "For the Common Good" and I recommend "Ecological Economics" as the one book to buy if you buy only one (see my reviews of those books at their own pages), this book is a treasure chest of original and current thinking that should certainly be in your hands if you can afford all three books. As another reviewer has noted, it finally re-publishes some of the hard to get original thinkers from the steady-state economics era of the 1970's. However, it does so with an ample leavening of 1990's authorship, and hence could reasonably be regarded as a first-class "readings" complement to the text book ("Ecological Economics").

There is a chart on page 20 of this book that is quite extraordinary. Titled "The ends-means spectrum", it brilliantly runs down from the top: Religion and Ethics as guidelines to ultimate and intermediate ends of humanity; to the middle Political Economy as a means of managing the factors of production to specific political ends; to the bottom: Technics and Physics as the "ultimate" foundation or "ground truth" of flow-entropy-matter-energy that must constrain political and religious ends.

This book, in which Kenneth N. Townsend is the second contributing editor-author, blends practical, political, economic, and theological writings, over several decades, in a most pleasing manner. E. F. Schumacher's "Buddhist Economics" jumped out at me, reminding me that our predominantly Protestant corporate capitalist ethos is very far removed from the realities that guide and repress billions around the Earth, all of whom have fewer options than we do. With that thought in mind, I strongly recommend William Greider's "The Soul of Capitalism: Opening Paths to a Moral Economy" as a very current complement to any of the books that Dr. Daly has helped bring into the marketplace of ideas.

Long-awaited essay collection for the ecological economist
For the advanced student of the discipline of ecological economics this essay-collection provides a handfull of the most influential classics of the field, of which many has been hard to come by for years. The essays by Garrett Hardin, Herman Daly, Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen and Paul and Anne Ehrlich are among the most frequently cited essays of the field - and for good reasons.

VTE is an example of scholarship that is rare in its field.
As a citizen who is concerned about the health of the environment, I was enlightened by the essays in the first section of this book. The authors leave little room for doubt that the Earth can sustain a finite population, and for a finite length of time. Without any of the hysterical rhetoric which so often characterizes the political debate on this topic, these scholars demonstrate the fact that our existence on this, the eastern shore of Eden, is ephemeral. As a student of economics, I was impressed by the lucid exploration of free-enterprise, steady-states, and market forces in the third section. This section is home to some of the best essays in the book: T. H. Tietenberg's exposition of free-market solutions to the pollution problem as well as Ken Townsend's expert discussion of the ecological problems facing the nations of the former communist world are as important as they are timely. But, the most important respect in which I was struck by this book was as a human being. It is in the second section that Daly and Townsend--with the help of such friends as C. S. Lewis and E. F. Schumacher--address the important issue of morality. Are humans obligated to preserve something off this planet for future generations? How much consumption should we engage in? Does our economic system promote an ungodly destruction of the world in which we live. The reader should not come to this volume without a willingness to challenge his own deeply held notions about the state of the environment or the economy's role in creating that state. Neither should a reader open this book if he is searching for easy solutions to our environmental problems. Those readers with the courage to think, however, will not be dissatisfied. ... Read more

Book Description

Lester Brown, "the guru of the global environmental movement" (The Telegraph of Calcutta), argues that, like the Sumerian and Mayan civilizations, our economy is fast destroying its environmental support systems, threatening future generations. The challenge is to restructure the global economy, replacing our fossil fuel-based, automobile-centered, throwaway economy with a new one that is environmentally sustainable. Brown outlines his vision of the new economy. It will be powered not with fossil fuels but with solar and wind energy. Its urban transport systems will be centered not around the automobile but around light rail and the bicycle. It will not be a throwaway economy but will be a reuse/recycle economy with a stable population. And building this new economy represents the greatest investment opportunity in history. There is no middle ground. Either we build an economy that is environmentally sustainable or stay with our existing economy until environmental deterioration leads to economic decline. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Profoundly Important Book
If money were no object, I would mail copies of Lester Brown's "Eco-Economy" and Paul Hawken's "Natural Capitalism" to every CEO, country leader, and business school dean on the planet. Eco-Economy is a well-researched, balanced, detailed portrayal of where the world is today ecologically, and where the world could be in the future, depending on the choices we make (or fail to make) when it comes to managing our fragile and taxed natural environmnent.
Brown makes his case clear: it is now time for ecologists to team up with economists to ensure that the prices we pay for all goods and services "tell the ecological truth". One of the most critical examples is the price we pay in North America for gasoline: the pump price has never reflected the total true costs that are borne by members of society and by the natutal environment. Until governments impose gasoline taxes that reflect those total true costs, the fossil fuel resource will continue to be undervalued and wasted.
To read Eco-Economy is to go on an emotional roller coaster ride. The earlier chapters accurately describe the perilous state of many ecological systems, such as life-sustaining aquifers being depleted or contaminated, and irreversible soil erosion due to the removal of trees. I found these chapters well worth reading, but very disturbing. What is good news for the reader and, more important, good news for the planet, is that Brown offers numerous examples of how we can (technically, at least; if we could now just muster the required political will) stop or even reverse our erstwhile environmentally damaging behaviour -- in other words, "how to get there from here".
Brown identifies sustainability-related opportunities and responsibilities for all key sectors of the human race: government leaders, business CEOs, NGOs, academics. Further, Brown reminds us that lone individuals can make a difference, too: the publishing of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring represented a much-needed "threshold" that prompted the world to re-think its use of DDT. Thus, for those of us who do not run a government or a company, we have the power of the pen on our side, and we can choose to exercise that power.

A convincing vision of a sustainable society
Lester Brown, Chairman of the Worldwatch Institute, which is known for the high quality of its reports, presents his vision of an environmentally sustainable economy - an eco-economy. The purpose of his book is to show that we have no alternative to restructuring the economy if we want economic progress, to describe with some degree of confidence what the eco-economy will look like and to outline a strategy of how to get there in the time available.

After cataloguing the grim decline in the planet's ability to carry on with business as usual, and pointing out that mismanagement is destroying forests, rangelands, fisheries and croplands, - the four eco-systems that supply our food and, except for minerals, all our raw materials - Eco-Economy provides hope that the solutions are within our reach, affordable and can lead to new employment opportunities and a higher standard of living.

An economy is sustainable only if it respects the principles of ecology; if it does not, it will decline and eventually collapse; there is no middle ground. Relying on distorted market signals to guide investment decisions is a recipe for disaster. We need a change in mind set similar to that when our ancestors accepted that the earth revolves around the sun.

Twenty five years ago the concept of environmentally sustainable development - restoring carbon balances, stabilizing population and water tables, conserving forests, soils and plant/animal diversity - was introduced but not one country is progressing satisfactorily on all fronts. Nonetheless glimpses of the eco-economy are visible. Many countries have stabilized their population - the first requirement for a sustainable future, - banned construction of coal-fired power plants or nonrefillable beverage containers, reforested, and encouraged use of bicycles. These are all facets of building a sustainable economy in marked contrast to the fossil-fuel-based, automobile-centered, throwaway economy of today.

Perhaps the most profound change will occur in the energy field where wind-generated energy at a cost as low as four cents per watt is likely to be a major source of energy for the foreseeable future. By electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen during slack times we have the means of storing wind energy and, in due course, of transporting it through defunct oil and gas pipe lines. Use of natural gas will keep expanding for the present as it is an ideal fuel for the transition from a carbon-based economy to one based on hydrogen. Together, electricity and hydrogen can meet all the needs of a modern society. Other renewable sources of energy will play a lesser role. During the 1990s photovoltaic sales increased by an average of 20% per year, climbing by 43% in 2000, while the capacity of geothermal increased by 4% and hydro by 2%. Energy conservation and efficiency is still the best investment we can make with such items as compact fluorescent lamps having a very rapid pay back. The United States could meet the Kyoto protocol by 2010 simply by moving to Europe's energy efficiency levels, which in turn are not yet taking full advantage of the state of the art technologies.

The second major change will occur in materials handling. Failure to adopt a comprehensive recycling program has resulted in removing New York City's 12,000 ton daily output of garbage in a fleet of vehicles 15 km long, on the 900 km round trip. A simple measure like recycling paper would shorten the convoy by 4.5kms. Metals are a major problem as their mining and processing are environmentally destructive and energy intensive. Redesigning the materials economy to be compatible with the eco-system includes such measures as easy disassembly for recycling, reducing waste generation, banning throw away beverage containers, improved methods of manufacturing, clustering factories so that waste from one acts as an input to another, legislation requiring a minimum percentage of recycled material and setting a zero emissions goal. Most worrying of all is China's rapid rise in standard of living and the world's inability to support a western standard of living with a western way of doing business. As an example if annual paper use in China were to rise to US levels, it would need more paper than the world currently produces. Mr. Brown describes ways to do the same job using far less raw material.

In similar fashion the book deals with agriculture and food, forest products, cities, population stabilization, and leadership.

This book has helped me in two ways. First, I lacked a grand and convincing vision of what a sustainable society might look like and the second was that in a period of such rapid change I feared that an investment today might turn out to be a white elephant tomorrow. I believe that the future painted by Lester Brown is not only possible but is almost bound to happen if each of us do our part, as much is already being put in place. I can adopt his vision as my vision feeling much more confident in my actions and that I can leave a better world to my children and grandchildren.

In Bangkok one evening at 9pm all television stations focused on a huge electricity meter while the announcer asked everyone to switch off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances. Everyone was amazed to see the meter wind down enough to switch out two power stations. We have to remember that building a sustainable economy requires both major structural changes in addition to billions of small actions world wide.

A societal "how to"
This is a very thorough and readable analysis of why we need to move decisively toward sustainability and how to do so at a societal level. It is written for the general reader, contains a wealth of sometimes quite startling facts (the ore processed to produce a pair of gold wedding rings would fill a hole 10 feet long, 6 feet wide and 6 feet deep!) and gives more attention to what needs to be done and how to do it than to describing what is wrong.
It is a book for the citizen, the student and for use in political dialogue rather than for business people seeking to improve the sustainability of their operations, (for which see Hawken, Robèrt, Nattrass and others).
The book has three purposes. The first is to make the case that we have no alternative to restructuring the economy if we want economic progress to continue in the decades ahead. The second is to describe not only the broad structure of the eco-economy, but some of its details. And the third is to outline a strategy for getting from here to there in the time available.
It sketches the need to move to an eco-economy based on renewable energy and an approach to materials use that mirrors the natural cyclical processes. It also reinforces the systemic nature of change, involving deep changes in societal attitudes, linked to cooperation between government, community and business.
Chapter 4 The Shape of the Eco-Economy offers some interesting predictions about the industries and professions that are likely to expand, and to act as drivers in the move towards sustainability. This is in support of his point that, far from the move being a threat to our economic health, it offers vast opportunities for investment and for true economic development.

Eco-Economy
Eco-Economy: Building an Economy for the Earth by Lester Brown is a novel that discusses the relationship of economics and the environment. Brown examines how we must achieve an environmentally sound economic system for which mutualism can occur. This mutualism is a very important concept for if we expect to use our resources wisely, we need to benefit both the economic and environmental aspects of the equation.

In the first section of the book, Brown relays the message of how people are ruining the environment through the idea of maximizing profits and trying to clean up after them instead of just avoiding the degradation of the environment all together.

Secondly, Brown interprets how an eco-economy would benefit as well as work in our world today. This makes me think of the billions of dollars Bush just proposed to spend on the study of hydrogen-powered cars of the future. Of course Bush's reasons were of different origin for doing this, but that's another story. With this grant directed toward hydrogen powered cars, our ecosystem can sigh a little relief for this is a good way for people to recognize the problem who were not formerly aware of it.

The third section of the book touches on how we as a society are to take the first step in turning our economy into an eco-economy. He highlights this by declaring that the tax system needs a makeover. This basically means that taxes must be raised on those activities that harm the environment substantially. This is a great way to send a message to polluters that change is in need, and that our world needs help before it is too late.

My interpretation of this book is that we need an economic system that is able to conserve/protect our depleting natural resources while at the same time solve the problem of our economy loosing precious biodiversity and resources. There obviously is not a reasonable solution our there yet that we can agree on. There are many ideas, but no solutions as of now. If we ever intend to change this environmental crisis as well as fix the recession, change is in need, and fast.

No-Nonsense Approach to a Very Serious Issue
The book deserves every single star rating it has. It's well redacted, the ideas are well put by the author, and it's easily accesible for those who don't have a science/environment/economics background. All the ideas and conclusions are superbly supported, and the book leads the reader to unavoidable conclusions about what to do with our environment. This book's is so relvant to today's economy/ecology, then the author goes further and puts forth a workable framework to both, save the economy and humnaity. Very good book indeed. ... Read more

Book Description

In State of the World 2004, the Worldwatch Institute's award-winning research team focuses on consumption, pointing to the many ways in which our consumption habits drive ecological and social deterioration, as well as how these habits can be redirected to reinforce environmental and social goals. As always, State of the World 2004 provides government officials, journalists, professors, students, and concerned citizens with a comprehensive analysis of the global environmental problems we face along with detailed descriptions of practical, innovative solutions—like charting the most environmentally sound path to a hydrogen-fueled economy, or accelerating the rapidly growing conversion of farmers worldwide to organic farming and sustainable agriculture.

Written in clear and concise language, with easy-to-read charts and tables, State of the World 2004 presents a view of our changing world that we, and our leaders, cannot afford to ignore. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

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.

In case you haven't heard about other publications by Worldwatch Institute, please visit http://www.worldwatch.org.

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. ... Read more

Book Description

Written in refreshingly accessible prose, Limits to Growth: The 30-Year Update is a long anticipated revival of some of the original voices in the growing chorus of sustainability. Limits to Growth: The 30 Year Update is a work of stunning intelligence that will expose for humanity the hazy but critical line between human growth and human development. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Humanity Needs to Wake Up: We Are Devastating the Planet
This is a thorough, scientific account of what mankind is doing ecologically to the planet. There are many charts, graphs and research studies proving that the planet is in danger.

Mankind has already gone past the level of sustainability. It's not a matter of IF, but a matter of WHEN the planet will not be able to sustain humanity at the current population level and standard of living.

This book explains about the earth's resources and how we are overusing them. Also about the byproducts of our use of these resources and the pollution it causes. Many examples are given of how people can change their ways of production and resource use.

It is disturbing to think what humans are doing to the planet and what the future will be if we don't change our ways. This book gives the big picture of what is happening ecologically to the planet and what needs to be done NOW to stop the devastation. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A worthy addition to the tree-hugger's bookshelf
What a joy to see that this book is back in print! When our nature book discussion group chose it as a monthly selection several years ago, we had to scramble to find copies. I was one of the lucky ones who got one, read it all, and underlined a whole slew of passages for later reference.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"Man is everywhere a disturbing agent. Wherever he plants his foot, the harmonies of nature are turned to discords." (George Perkins Marsh, 1864)

"Environment is to the would-be cultured man what air is to the animal -- it is the breath of life." (Benton MacKaye, 1928)

"When you have reached the edge of an abyss ... the only progressive move you can make is to step backward." (David R. Brower, 1977)

Then the compiler adds his answer to the question "Why do we love wilderness?" by giving seven reasons: scientific value, spiritual values, aesthetic value, heritage value, psychological value, cultural value, and intrinsic value. His explanations make this selection the one I most often pass on to other people. (Roderick Frazier Nash, 1988)

My advice is to buy this book as a present for your favorite environmentalist friend. Sure, you could go instead with _The Quotable Nature Lover_, a Nature Conservancy book edited by John A. Murray. But _American Environmentalism_ puts those kinds of quotes back into context; the editor not only provides full text but also explains what was going on at the time of its writing. Selections are arranged chronologically and are short enough to hold anyone's interest. And we're not talking just Thoreau, Muir, Carson and Leopold here, as the excerpts above show. There are names you might not recognize at first glance. Amateur environmentalists can use this compilation as a starting point for further reading, as full citations are always provided. Though it's not entirely current (1989) this book is still useful.

Give it to a graduating senior, or to anyone else who has the potential to save the planet. They'll be inspired.

A good reader
This isn't the type of book someone could pick up and get a good view of the American Environmental movement. It does well in teaching about past movements but ignores modern movements like Environmental Justice and the controversy surrounding Market Based Incentives. It is a good book for teaching if coupled with extra material as it is very readable and interesting. ... Read more

Book Description

Our consumption patterns are threatening to outstrip Earth's ability to support humanity and other species. A sustainable future will require sweeping changes in public behavior. While conventional marketing can help create public awareness, social marketing identifies and overcomes barriers to long-lasting behavior change. This ground-breaking book is the primary resource for the emerging new field of community-based social marketing, and an invaluable guide for anyone involved in designing public education programs with the goal of promoting sustainablebehavior, from recycling and energy efficiency, to alternative transportation. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A Good and Necessary Read
I'm a biologist, and I have long been aware of the basic problems that the Ehrlichs clearly summarize in "One with Nineveh". Nonetheless, I loved having the issues reviewed for me, bringing me up to date. I found the book compellingly written and full of interesting examples. I was grateful it made clear why we're fighting in Iraq (not the excuses our government has broadcast), and tied it our our patterns of overconsumption. And there was a lot that was new to me. For instance, the question of the reform of corporations has been one of my concerns, but I was not fully aware of the growing discussion of what can be done about it. The Ehrlichs not only summarize the arguments well, but also provide references that are now allowing me to pursue further my interest in what can be done to limit corporate misuse of power. Indeed, placing the environmental situation in a context of power abuse is the major service of the book. Scientists are aware of the deep trouble civilization is in, but the public and politicians are not. This is a book to buy, read, and recommend (or give) to friends and anyone running for public office. The stakes are high, and the Ehrlichs give us hope that even in these dismal times we may win through to a decent and stable society.

headed the wrong way
One with Nineveh presents more lucid and well documented analysis of the trends that most threaten our civilization, yet remain underappreciated and often ignored: waste of energy and natural resources, toxification of the environment, clearing of forests and fragmentation of habitats, overuse of fresh water, and -- yes -- expanding human populations. While updated treatment of these issues and the historical parallels between current trends and the fate of once-dominant civilizations like Nineveh are fascinating, the riveting elements of this book are those that document the pathetic state of political leadership, globally.

For open-minded readers who think that the neoconservative take on the environment -- that concern is overblown and things are getting better -- is a viable claim, this is a must read. The Ehrlichs provide new insight and summarize recent analyses that identify destructive trends and provide clear and practical remedies. While the Bush administration ignores the environment, its policies are exacerbating environmental problems worldwide, leading to the sort of social instability that undermines opportunities for a just and sustainable future. While these authors suffer unrelenting attacks from the radical right, their assessment is far from radical; everyone can learn from this accessible and authoritative book.

Sound Ecology, Philosophy, and Economics
No one can read this book and not be impressed with the depth and breadth of expertise and insights the Ehrlichs bring to bear on the problem of sustainability and the serious human predicament that will begin to manifest itself over the next few decades, if not sooner. The book is also full of thought provoking, innovative approaches to solutions - especially his economic insights in Chapter 7, "Consuming Less", and his summary chapter, "Healing a World of Wounds". This book is absolutely "must read" for all conscientious citizens of the planet - especially, those in the United States. While some of the early works by the Ehrlichs were overly alarmist, none of that is present here, and the Nobel-level caliber of the Ehrlichs shines from this book. But since most of the other (serious) reviewers have made similar comments, I'll point out some of its weaknesses, partly in the hope that readers will look elsewhere to correct some of its (few) problems.

While the greatest strength of this book is its science, this happens to be exceedingly weak in Chapter 5, "Technology Matters". Here the Ehrlichs venture too far afield from their areas of expertise and make numerous technical mistakes, which unfortunately do matter. Their biggest problem is that they have been smitten by the hydrogen hype syndrome. They also are not well versed in state-of-the-art renewables technologies. For a more informed perspective on this subject, see my "Fuels for Tomorrow's Vehicles" or "The Hype About Hydrogen" by Romm. For a much more detailed and up-to-date discussion of most major aspects of energy, see "Energy at the Crossroads" by Smil, along with the definitive work on petroleum resources by Campbell, "The Coming Oil Crisis".

I also found "One with Nineveh" to be rather repetitious among chapters - it could probably be shortened 30% to improve its impact and popularity. Certainly many Republicans will find it uncomfortable in many places, and probably more people would find it readable if some of the incredibly complex sentences were simplified a bit. But then, this is a book by serious minds for serious minds. - F. David Doty, engineering physicist.

Getting better
It looks like all of the previous reviewers either love this book or hate it. I'm going to take more of a middle road. I'm giving it 3 stars - if I could I would give it 3 and 1/2.

Compared to two of the previous books by these authors - The Population Bomb and The Population Explosion (both of which were terrible) this book is a great improvement. It is obvious that the authors have been spending a little more time with some economists as well as their fellow Stanford professor Gretchen Daily.

Instead of the "doom and gloom" of the previous books this work at least hints at the solid improvements that have occurred in the world over the last thirty years. The growth in world population is slowing, poverty is declining in most of the world, food production has outpaced population growth and technology has greatly improved our living standards. The authors even concede that the population of the world will indeed stabilize and fall this century. This is sharply in contrast with their previous books which predicted mass starvation and catastrophes galore.

I also liked the fact that the authors discussed possible solutions to some of the problems they discussed. There is a great deal of room for improvement in many of the ways that humans interact with our environment. The Ehrlichs discuss many of these - more efficient energy use, better planning for housing, etc...

Although this book is a great improvement the authors are still far too pessimistic in my mind. The next fifty years will be a time of tremendous strides for improvement in the human condition on this planet. There are no limits to what humans can do if we put our minds to it. I think that the Ehrlichs are finally beginning to see that there are solutions to all of the problems they discuss but they still fall back too much on their previous "doom and gloom style".

If they continue the progess that was shown in this book and if they continue to broaden their base of knowledge and sources to include more economists and rational thinkers I think that the NEXT book that the Ehrlich's produce will be real winner.

AN ESSENTIAL READING
This is a remarkable book about the most pressing global issues: what the authors call the human predicament, which is the impact of overpopulation and overconsumption on the environmental, social, and economic fabric of our societies. After reading the book I have a much better understanding of the importance of these issues and what we all can do about it. There is no doubt that regardless of one's political inclinations, understanding the topics carefully described in the first nine chapters of the book is essential for our future well being and that of our children.

Among several noteworthy features of the book, I like to emphasize three.
First, the book is very well written and carefully documented with many relevant references. Although I am a biologist and I know much of the literature well, I found many references that I was unaware of. I was very impacted by the discussion, for example, of the depletion of major predator oceanic fishes in the last decade. Second, the breadth of the book, integrating biology, economics, and other social sciences is especially useful. The economic issues are thoroughly and accurately treated. This is particularly true for the relationship of consumption, purchasing power, and the depletion of the natural capital. It is hard to find texts that describe the complexities of the economic world and its relationship with the environment in such a clear way.

Finally, I found that one of the most remarkable features of the book, summarized in Chapters 11, "Healing the wounds", is the effort made by the authors to provide us with solutions. This is a very welcomed addition in this kind of book, which usually lack suggestion about solutions mainly because of the complexity and large scale of the problems. As a citizen of Mexico I was especially interested in the suggestion of creating a Millennium Assessment of Human Behavior. In today's world situation, nothing could be more important. ... Read more

Book Description

In recent years the media have reported, frequently with alarm, on the increasing use of genetically modified crops in agriculture. Some groups have expressed concern about consumer safety and the risks of large-scale ecosystem damage. Others have noted the resulting shift of power away from locally controlled farming operations toward large agribusiness and biotech companies, and the particular vulnerability of farmers in the developing world to this trend.

In Seeds of Contention: World Hunger and the Global Controversy over GM Crops, development specialists Per Pinstrup-Andersen and Ebbe Schiøler focus attention on the less discussed issues ofthe potential benefits and costs of genetically modified crops for developing countries. Pinstrup-Andersen and Schiølerreview the basic issues and discuss the potential that such crops have for addressing the great needs of poor and undernourished peoples throughout the world. They explain how increased agricultural productivity is not enough in addressing the problem of famine. People in developing countries need crops that are disease-resistant, can fend off insect predators, and can withstand severe environmental conditions in order to produce larger crop yields.

Pinstrup-Andersen and Schiøler are sober in their assessment of these prospects, for they acknowledge that GM crops alone will not solve the world's food problem. They argue, however, that they may be one element in the solution and people in developing countries should have information about benefits and risks and the freedom to make their own decisions about whether or not to grow and consume GM crops. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Companies on the right road.
Exceptional book describing the background of the Natural Step process but more importantly provides evidence that companies who embrace sustainabilty in every aspect will be well rewarded for their efforts. Well done with loads of detail.

An excellent applied reference on The Natural Step
The authors provide a real service with this book. So far much of the published work on The Natural Step framework has remained conceptual, without a lot of practical examples of the model in practice. The case examples of IKEA, Collins Pine, and Interface provide valuable references for organizational managers and consultants who are working to build more sustainable organizations. I highly recommend this book.

The Natural Step in action - great practical case-studies!
This is a terrifc book in that it not only lucidly explains the framework of the Natural Step but also gives some excellent practical examples of major corporations starting down the path towards sustainability. This will give them a great competitive edge. With examples like the Natural Step model being applied by the likes of IKEA and Interface one can remain optimistic in the face of the torrent of negatives about the degenerating nature of the world environment. I hope that this book will encourgae others to look nto what the Natural Step has to offer..

A clear, wonderful book.
This is a clear and wonderful book that makes a compelling case for a new environmental awareness in business and industry. The style is graceful, the chapter organization is easy to follow, and there are many charts and diagrams that enhance the book. I was extremely impressed, and I recommend the book highly. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by the CEOs of Shell, DuPont, and Anova, Walking the Talk: The Business Case for Sustainable Development is the most important book about corporate responsibility and yet it is written by business for business. For the first time anywhere, leading industrialists show than an integration of sustainable development goals -- economic growth, social justice and ecological balance -- into corporate strategy will provide lasting shareholder value and immediate bottom-line returns. Even more remarkably, the authors insist that a global partnership -- between governments, business, and civil society -- is essential, if moves towards globalization are to maximize opportunities for all -- especially the world's poor. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Read this book if you want to improve your bottom line
Business has always had as its prime responsibility making profits and this is what most stakeholders seek from their investment. It is only when business is convinced that it will make better profits over the long term by being socially and environmentally responsible that we will see the changes that are required to leave a better world to our children. It was therefore like a breath of fresh air to discover this book written by influential businessmen showing that corporate social and environmental practice will improve both the bottom line and the planet. More than 160 companies have joined the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and are trying to run their companies in the best interests of human society and the natural environment. Emerging from the vision of a small group of business leaders prior to the 1992 Earth Summit, the WBCSD published this book prior to the 2002 Johannesburg Summit. They found that the term 'sustainable development' is unknown to most of the world's inhabitants and that it is mildly annoying to almost all environment actors and thinkers but some corporations were drawn to it because it is not anti-growth and serious economic growth is required to meet the needs of the current population. Moreover, the issues of sustaining a planet are similar to those of sustaining a corporation - primarily managing a balancing act between the short-term and the long-term - and getting it wrong in either direction can mean extinction. Thinking in terms of sustainable development opens up new ways to grow and led to the more business friendly term of 'sustainable growth'.

As the market is good at reflecting short-term economic realities but poor at reflecting long-term economic realities and environmental realities the WBCSD prepared a report for the 1992 Summit calling for full-cost pricing, taxes and tradable permits rather than regulation, phasing out of subsidies, and accounting changes to reflect environmental scarcity. However, adoption of these measures would result in higher prices and the other two pillars of society - civil society and government - needed to accept such a change. Each sector tends to wait on the other; politicians do not want to become unpopular by pushing for higher prices nor do consumers want to spend more. "There will not be real progress until business, government, and civil society team up in new and dynamic partnerships."

Adoption of the phrase 'eco-efficiency' was a conceptual breakthrough that allowed moral and ethical practice to be linked to good business practice and set an agenda of producing more with less - a package that would make companies more competitive. Companies could be more profitable while keeping a human face and as few companies were prepared for consumer's ability to get their concerns into board rooms, managing a company's reputation became a central element in managing a corporation. This led to companies adding an environmental section to their annual financial report and reporting on the triple bottom line - financial, environmental and social. This has already brought about some radical changes. "Companies that once sold paint to car companies now sell the service of painting cars. So where once they improved their bottom line by maximizing cans of paint sold, they now improve the bottom line by minimizing the use of paint per car." DuPont decided that if it wanted its business to be sustainable it had to improve earnings by using fewer raw materials. This lead to the concept of shareholder value added (SVA) per pound of production and the goal of doubling the SVA of Kevlar fiber over the next five years. "Dupont Flooring Services has developed a system to offer certified installation, patented maintenance and end-of-life recycling to the already world-class carpet offering of DuPont Antron." At DuPont the question of whether sustainability improves the bottom line is not asked any more: "That is how we will get our bottom line, and that is how we will create value for our shareholders and for society."

By devoting 2% of its annual capital investment to environmental performance, a Swiss-based company has a vision of being a 'zero-equivalent carbon dioxide emission company' through a 5% pa annual reduction of energy per unit, increased use of alternative and renewable energy and by planting 35,000 hectares of land with trees to compensate for the remaining emissions, with a projected saving of $1 billion between 1994 and 2010. "Thanks to these measures, the planet has been spared the burden of another 100-megawatt power plant; the water we have saved could quench the thirst of 50 million people a year. We are using 28% less electricity and 45% less water than in 1994 for the same output. This translates, with a large increase in volume today, into a saving of $50 million in 2000 alone."

This book has 67 case studies that present current leading edge thinking. For a company that believes that it will remain competitive by neglecting environmental issues, this book will be an eye-opener. For others it is impossible to read this book without coming away with ideas for improving performance and the bottom line.

a persuasive business case
In the next society', observes Peter Drucker, 'the biggest challenge for the large company - especially for the multinational-may be its social legitimacy: its values, its missions, its vision.' (quoted on P. 128 of Walking the Talk).
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is an association of over 160 large companies who believe that the imperatives of making a profit are compatible with "... [running] their companies in the best interests of human society and the natural environment, now and in the future."
The book seeks to explore the opportunities and problems in doing so, and to describe the progress made over the last ten years. It is overtly evangelical, seeking to recruit more successful businesses (and specifically their CEOs) to the cause of sustainability as the authors define it. The authors are writing within a mental model that believes in the benefits of free markets, globalization, continuing economic growth and in the contemporary model of business. Although they recognize that there are alternative mental models, their primary purpose is not to address these, but to persuade those who share their broad views (which would include the vast majority of business people) that a concern for environmental sustainability and social justice is good business - that pursuit of these wider goals is the best way of ensuring a healthy bottom line now and in the future.
The book is well argued within its framework. More important, it carries the names of three of the world's most senior Chief Executives, which gives it immense clout in its avowed task of persuading other CEOs to joint the sustainability movement.
A 'foundation' chapter, which describes the business case for sustainability, is followed by a brief overview of each of ten key elements in moving toward sustainability, with each chapter illustrated with detailed case studies (significantly, they are nearly all companies and utilities which supply to industrial markets).
In building their case, they identify the dilemmas, and particularly the issue of how to balance concern for the future with prudence in the present. They also note that current market failures (failure to price for 'externalities', perverse subsidies, inappropriate tax regimes) make it more difficult to persuade many companies that pursuit of sustainability is in their best interest. In consequence, they call for partnership with government to correct these problems, and describe experience to date and needs for the future.
The 'ten building blocks' therefore include chapters on The Right Framework - what conditions are needed for business success truly to reflect sustainable operation - and From Dialogue to Partnership - how to enter partnership with the full range of stakeholders.
Too much of the literature on sustainability is taken up with immoderate attack on business and globalization - often with the inference that it is inherently evil - and equally immoderate defence of the (implied) perfection of the present state of globalization and behaviour of companies. It is therefore very refreshing to have an impeccable business source that acknowledges the move to sustainability as important business that is still in its early stages and is prepared to describe the successes, failings, dilemmas and rewards on the journey to sustainability.
Given their objective, there are some important and difficult issues that the authors do not tackle. For example, Hamilton in Growth Fetish, points to:
* the inadequacy of economic measures of progress,
* the importance of a distinction between growth and development and
* the evils of a framework that systematically promotes over-consumption.
These issues need to be argued, and could have very serious implications for business, but they are not the subject of this book.
Those who have a radically different view of the current business system and who disagree with the authors' views on globalization may well see the book as simply offering symptomatic solutions without tackling the real issues. They will none the less take comfort from the fact that community protests about unacceptable business activities (environmental degradation, comfort to repressive regimes, sweatshop labour) clearly send signals that influence the behaviour of corporate decision makers.

A fascinating insight into better business practise.
This book will be of interest to anyone remotely curious about economics, finance, society and progress. It is a concrete and realistic account of how businesses can engage in a medium/long term win-win game, benefiting both sustainable development and companies. It shows the evolution in business practise, and the future trend it is likely to take because of the new dimension of competitively in such troubled times: sustainability.

A clear and transparent account of how to achieve it (and what the past and current attempts are) is made through theoretical definitions of eco-efficiency, corporate social responsibility, the role of innovation, the attempt to control market failures, and make both frameworks and consumer choice allies in achieving more environmentally and socially viable economic growth. Those are illustrated by 66 case studies ranging from all sectors and countries. It dares to face many different scenarios so as to recognise possible costs or tradeoffs, but manages to prove the overwhelming victory of the business case for sustainable development.

The importance of this book, setting the trend for the next 60 years or so, comes from the fact that it was written by credible businessman. Their vision on today's and tomorrow's business practise is sharp. As a student at the London School of Economics, concentrating on how markets can bring more efficient solutions to poverty, corruption and environmental crisis, this book comes in as one of my absolute favourites. It is easy to read, and very actual. Though there aren't any easy answers to the problems it tackles, the book provides an important insight of the role of businesses in achieving sustainable development, and the clear advantages that emanate from doing so.

Read before walking!
First of all I should declare my interest and bias: I was involved in the production of the book. But this is also an advantage. I know first hand what the authors wanted to convey - a serious sense of the responsibility and opportunities for business to make globalization and markets work for all and our environment. This book engages in one of the broadest review of the issues of sustainable development as perceived by engaged business leaders. From the "technocratic" approaches to material efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts and risks to the "soft" and daunting issues of fighting poverty through enterprise and wealth creation. It also does not duck the questions of corporate accountability and market reforms.
Plenty of books have covered the issues of globalization but most have an anti-business perspective. Here at last we have a powerful business view.

As business people the authors take a lot of space to provide evidence, from their own organizations and like-minded peers, in the form of case studies. They also look under the top line of financial sustainability indices and provide exclusive statistics of business behavior from the 2002 survey that is at the basis of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
Any downside to this book? Yes - It begs the question why the companies next door are not yet following the lead. If they were to "read the talk" would they also "walk the talk"?

Walking the Talk
Walking the Talk offers the general reader a useful introduction to the business case for sustainable development. It argues that, contrary to common assumptions, sustainable development is good for business and business is good for sustainable development.

The underlying concepts and ideas are well spelled out. But what makes this book truly special is the abundance of case studies and examples of companies' practices that illustrate how these concepts are translated into practice. CEO's interviews provide a lively account on the private sector's perspectives on sustainable development.

One of the great advantages of this book is that each chapter can be read in isolation. An enjoyable read for conventional back-to-back readers, it is also easy for those interested in specific issues to navigate back and forth between chapters. Each contains a wealth of information on individual themes (ranging from innovation and eco-efficiency to corporate social responsibility). The book is structured around ten chapters, which represent the ten building blocks that pave the corporate journey towards sustainable development.

Each chapter investigates a different component of a sustainability-driven strategy. Overall, the book argues that companies need to embrace innovations to devise new ways of producing more with less natural resources; move from dialogue to partnerships; orient patterns of consumption by informing consumers about the environmental impact of their choices and by reflecting the value of the planet in products and services they deliver.

Co-authored by big corporate leaders, this book is a timely contribution to the debate surrounding sustainable development. Although there is unquestionably still room for work and improvement on the part of the private sector, Walking the Talk builds a convincing argument that business should get involved (and sometimes even take the lead) in sustainability issues. ... Read more

Book Description

Meaningful places offer a vital counterbalance to the forces of globalization and sameness that are overtaking our world, and are an essential element in the search for solutions to current sustainability challenges. In Native to Nowhere, author Tim Beatley draws on extensive research and travel to communities across North America and Europe to offer a practical examination of the concepts of place and place-building in contemporary life. Tim Beatley reviews the many current challenges to place, considers trends and factors that have undermined place and place commitments, and discusses in detail a number of innovative ideas and compelling visions for strengthening place.

Native to Nowhere brings together a wide range of new ideas and insights about sustainability and community, and introduces readers to a host of innovative projects and initiatives. Native to Nowhere is a compelling source of information and ideas for anyone seeking to resist place homogenization and build upon the unique qualities of their local environment and community.

Reviews (1)

What elements constitute a real community?
What elements constitute a real community, and how is that sense of community changing in the wake of global connections? Timothy Beatley's Native To Nowhere: Sustaining Home And Community In A Global Age uses research and the author's own travels to communities across N