Book Description

Deserts represent the ultimate challenge to life on Earth. Their lack of water and extreme temperatures make survival difficult for both wildlife and people, yet deserts are rich in animal and plant life and culture. Their unique species and ancient civilizations include fragile treasures needing protection in a rapidly changing world. Deserts are among our planet's last great wilderness regions, and they continue to offer scientific puzzles and new discoveries. Deserts: The Living Drylands is a celebration of the world's least understood ecosystems. In this richly illustrated book -- featuring 180 color photographs -- wildlife expert Sara Oldfield leads readers on a journey to some of the most remote places on earth, from the rolling sand dunes of the Arabian Peninsula's Empty Quarter to the ancient rock formations of central Australia. Deserts is both a vivid inventory of spectacular images, facts, and stories and an invaluable source of reference. It brings to life our planet's unique arid habitats at a time when they are more in need of protection than ever.

The book begins with a survey of deserts around the world, describing desert exploration over the centuries, the geographical distribution and diversity of deserts, their ancient and evolving landscapes, water in the desert, desert ecology and adaptations, people, and resources. Deserts then explores deserts and drylands in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, looking at wildlife, landforms, and traditional cultures. Finally, it focuses on the future of deserts, discussing conservation, desertification, the protection of desert ecosystems and landscapes, tourism, and species conservation. The stunning landscapes and highly adaptive biodiversity of deserts are brought to life vividly by the evocative text and dazzling photographs. ... Read more

Book Description

¥ Step-by-step guide to prairie restoration from site selection through burning¥ 20 color photographs ¥ Conservation guidelines from The Nature Conservancy ¥ Reference list of Midwest seed sources and services and books on prairie plant restoration and identiÞcation ... Read more

Book Description

There are often no easy answers to environmental challenges. But asking the right questions leads to a clear and effective economic framework for understanding pressing environmental problems—from finding sites for landfills, to regulating chemical emissions from manufacturing plants, to preserving species diversity.
Organized around these four key questions, Eban Goodstein’s Fourth Edition offers in-depth analysis of important environmental policy debates, and equips readers with the tools necessary to understand these issues—as economists do. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Highly Recommended for Understanding Environmental Issues
How much pollution is too much? What role should government play in regulating the environment? Will "clean technology" lay the foundation for a sustainable future? These are the questions students of environment issues are posed with.

To help readers understand the far-reaching implications of environmental and resource economics, this text examines a broad range of topics in environmental economics. It presents "standard analysis," as well as in-depth treatment of important issues at the cutting edge of environmental policy debates.

The focus is on equipping readers with the tools necessary to analyze current environmental issues as an economist would.

In keeping with the philosophy of incorporating examples directly in the text, this book begins with a detailed case study of a "big issue" with which many students are familiar-global warming.

Other issues covered in a rigorous and comprehensive manner include the property-rights basis of environmental problems, benefit estimation techniques and benefit-cost analysis, incentive-based regulation, and sustainable resource use.

The Second Edition retains the three interrelated advantages of its predecessor-(1) broad content, (2) pedagogical clarity, and (3) timely, well-integrated examples-while incorporating major reorganizations, additions and updates aimed at enhancing learning and reflecting the most up-to-date information available.

Following the Introduction, this text centres around four focussed questions:

Part I: How Much Pollution is Enough? Part II: Is Government Up to the Job? Part III: How Can We Do Better? Part IV: Can We Resolve Global Issues?

Using these questions as guidelines, author Eban S. Goodstein develops the economic tools students need to explore solutions to environmental problems. In the process, the book covers a wealth of current examples, from global warming, to population growth, to urban air pollution and energy policy, to chemical regulation and landfill siting.

Part V covers four advanced topics: The Importance of Being Convex, Imperfect Regulation in an Uncertain World, Input-Output Models and Life-Cycle Analysis and Incentive-Compatible Regulation.

As this text addresses important questions raised in contemporary (and future) society and introduces readers to the economist's view of some solutions, it is highly recommended for students taking courses in environment management, environmental and resource economics, and environmental studies. Ideally, students would have undertaken a course in microeconomics or intermediate microeconomics as a prerequisite.

Reviewed by Azlan Adnan. Formerly a Research Officer with the Malaysian Timber Council's London office and Business Development Manager with KPMG's Kuala Lumpur office, Azlan holds a Master's degree in International Business and Management from the Westminster Business School.

### 411 words ###

Letters from Students
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 15:55:19 -0500 From: C.N.Gomersall To: eban@lclark.edu Subject: student evaluations of your text Eban, I'm the fellow who asked you about the double dividend issue last spring, when I was using your text in my class on environmental economics. As we both gear up for next semester, Ithought I'd send you the results of my request, during that course lastspring, for (anonymous) evaluation of the text on the part of my students.(I survey most of my classes this way, though never with this kind ofresult; on the contrary, students are often rather cutting.)I'm includingevery word from every student. (1) I like this book. I think it hasgood chapter layouts and is great with examples. The examples also make thetext more interesting to read. (2) I like the text. I think it isvery straightforward and clear. It does a very good job of organizing whatis important and what is needed to understand some of the issues. (3)Goodstein's text, in my opinion, is valuable. It moves away from the strict"Friedman approach." It shows different sides of the argumentspresented and is fairly detailed. (4) Goodstein's book is excellent,one of the best textbooks I used in college. Its best attribute is the manyexamples given, they also help in the learning process. (5) Excellentbook. Well written and uses great examples. He ties in human with the welldescriptive topics. [This sentence was hard to read.]

(6) Goodstein'stext has been very well written and easy to use. (7) Goodstein does agood job of writing this text. Sometimes it is a bit dry and the chapterstake a long time to read. Overall, though, this is a good text for thisclass and a good learning tool. (8) I think the Goodstein text does apretty good job of writing at a level that we can interpret. I also likehis summaries of the chapters, and pointing out of important topics in eachsection. (9) Good book. Interesting to read. (10)Goodstein isgood at getting his point across. It seems to me that much in his book isrepetitive, though. It is difficult though to talk about this subjectwithout being repetitive. Overall Goodstein does [a] good job, especiallywith examples. (11)Goodstein as such has been a good selection forthe text. He explains a lot of new material in a manner geared towards hisprimary audience, the students. I think he has done a good job. (12) The Goodstein book is excellent, in my opinion. It seems very unbiased,especially considering the possibilities of either being slanted toward theenvironment or the other way [sic]. It presents a lot of informationwithout being too technical and overwhelming those of us who haven't hadmuch economics with graphs and other "economic tools." And yes,I liked it too. (signed) Nick Gomersall

_________________________________________________________ C.N.Gomersallgomersni@luther.edu Associate Professor of EconomicsLuther College, Decorah, Iowa, U.S.A.

Highly Recommended for Students of Environmental Issues
How much pollution is too much? What role should government play in regulating the environment? Will "clean technology" lay the foundation for a sustainable future? To help students understand thefar-reaching implications of environmental and resource economics, thistext examines a broad range of topics in environmental economics. Itpresents "standard analysis," as well as in-depth treatment ofimportant issues at the cutting edge of environmental policy debates. Thefocus is on equipping students with the tools necessary to analyze currentenvironmental issues as an economist would.

In keeping with thephilosophy of incorporating examples directly in the text, this book beginswith a detailed case study of a "big issue" with which manystudents are familiar-global warming. Other issues covered in a rigorousand comprehensive manner include the property-rights basis of environmentalproblems, benefit estimation techniques and benefit-cost analysis,incentive-based regulation, and sustainable resource use.

The SecondEdition retains the three interrelated advantages of its predecessor-(1)broad content, (2) pedagogical clarity, and (3) timely, well-integratedexamples-while incorporating major reorganizations, additions and updatesaimed at enhancing learning and reflecting the most up-to-date informationavailable. Following the Introduction, this text centres around fourfocussed questions:

Part I: How Much Pollution is Enough? Part II: IsGovernment Up to the Job? Part III: How Can We Do Better? Part IV: Can WeResolve Global Issues?

Using these questions as guidelines, the authordevelops the economic tools students need to explore solutions toenvironmental problems. In the process, the book covers a wealth of currentexamples, from global warming, to population growth, to urban air pollutionand energy policy, to chemical regulation and landfill siting.

Part Vcovers four advanced topics: The Importance of Being Convex, ImperfectRegulation in an Uncertain World, Input-Output Models and Life-CycleAnalysis and Incentive-Compatible Regulation.

As this text addressesimportant questions raised in contemporary (and future) society andintroduces readers to the economist's view of some solutions, it is highlyrecommended for students taking courses in environment management,environmental and resource economics, and environmental studies. Ideally,students would have undertaken a course in microeconomics or intermediatemicroeconomics as a prerequisite.

Formerly a Research Officer with theMalaysian Timber Council's London office and Business Development Managerwith KPMG's Kuala Lumpur office, Azlan Adnan is currently Managing Partnerof Azlan & Koh Knowledge and Professional Management Group, aneducation and management consulting practice based in Kota Kinabalu. Heholds a Master's degree in International Business and Management from theWestminster Business School. ... Read more

Book Description

Ecological economics is a new transdisciplinary approach to understanding and managing the ecology and economics of our world for sustainability on local, regional, and global scales. The previous isolation of these two fields has led to economic and environmental policies that have been mutually destructive rather than reinforcing in the long term. This book brings together these two disciplines in chapters covering the basic worldview of ecological economics; accounting, modeling, and analysis of ecological economicl systems; and necessary institutional changes and case studies.

Book Description

Concerned with water resources throughout his career, Luna B. Leopold has at last brought together over forty years of experience to produce Water, Rivers and Creeks, a nontechnical primer on hydrology and water resources. As an expert engineer, meteorologist, environmentalist and geologist, few individuals could provide the breadth of coverage with the insightful brevity that characterize this introduction to water. By integrating the basics of hydrology and geomorphology with the practical formulation of policy, this book is intended for the general public, students of environmental studies, legislators, policy makers, and all others who are interested in the use, control, and management of water. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent and readable review of hydrology
Water, Rivers and Creeks by Luna Leopold. I still have my copy of Water - A Primer, Dr. Leopold's first update of his slim hydrology primer ($2.95 in 1974). Like Marie Morisawa's book on streams, "Water" has been loaned out many a time, and thankfully it has always made its way back home (if the person who has 'Streams' would please return it...). I wasn't 5 pages into "Water, Rivers and Creeks before I began deciding who should get to borrow the new one first. I was reassured to find that the clear explanations of hydrologic processes remain and that the updating of the text has not diluted its value as an excellent review of hydrology. The order of the topics has been revised to smooth transitions and as a result the book is even more readable than the original. Particularly significant is the fact that the author has thoroughly revised graphics and text to use international units, and broadened the discussion of water policy, especially regarding the impacts of irrigation and dam construction. Part I (Hydrology and Morphology) contains chapters on precipitation, infiltration, groundwater, surface water, channel formation and maintenance, and vegetation. Part II (The Water Resource and its Management) contains chapters on water supply, water use, water availability and quality, land management, water treament and sewage disposal. This useful volume appeals to me as a supplemental textbook university courses, for staff training, and as a reference volume for water policy makers - and even at today's price of $30.00 it represents a great value. - Dr. Jeanette H. Leete, General Secretary American Institute of Hydrology ... Read more

Book Description

A classic guide to collecting in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, Midwest Gem, Fossils and Mineral Trails: Great Lakes States, has it all in this newly revised and updated rockhounding guide.Geologically the Midwest is an incredible land, carved by glaciers and situated on the incomparable Great Lakes, the location of the upper Mississippi River Valley and the Ohio River. The copper country of Michigan, the iron ranges of Minnesota, the fluorite area of Illinois, and the limestones of Indiana are unsurpassed.Wisconsin holds great promise for copper, lead, and zinc, and its granite is a national favorite.Ohio, a leading coal producer, has yielded some of the finest fossils ever found.Diamonds and gold have been found here too; the reserves of minerals are tremendous.There are miles of beaches on the Great Lakes and other glacial lakes, along reservoirs, and along the rivers and streams of this region where Lake Superior agates, fossils, and minerals can be found.The author, who has been collecting in these states for over 50 years, describes how to hunt on your own, where and what to collect, and where to find additional information on each state.An indispensable guide for the rock hobbyist, lapidary and fossil enthusiast, this book highlights the best of the area in one compact volume. ... Read more

Book Description

Willow Creek Press is proud to bring back to print Bradford Angier's classic One Acre & Security: How To Live Off the Earth without Ruining It. First published in 1972, Angier (deceased) is one of the pre-eminent voices of the back-to-the-earth movement. One Acre & Security is a book for all those who have dreamed of living close to the earth, not in the wilderness, but on land within easy driving distance of the city or suburbs. It begins by explaining what sort of land to look for, where to look and how to make sure of land titles. It goes on to discuss organic gardening on one acre of land, raising herbs for money and bees for honey, growing grapes, making wine, juice and jellies, and drying raisins. For the more serious back-to-the-earther, there are sections on how to build a house, keep cows, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry, raise rabbits, earthworms, fish, frogs and turtles, and how to find the best hunting and fishing. Angier's text is as useful and thorough today as it was 30 years ago, and deserves to be on the shelves of a new generation of back-to-earthers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A classic on how to live in the country and off the land
Bradford Angier's One Acre & Security provides a classic on how to live in the country and off the land without ruining it.It first appeared in 1972 and was one of the forerunners of the back-to-earth movement: here it returns to offer new audiences discussions on organic gardening, how to build a house and keep animals, and how to live in the country. ... Read more

Book Description

Kinematic wave modeling methods are gaining wide acceptance as a fast and accurate way of handling a wide range of water modeling problems. This is the first book to provide a thorough reference to the application of KW methods to such problems as the spatial representation of watersheds, overland flow routing, and channel flow routing. ... Read more

Book Description

*The first book to examine transnational accountability for environmental harm and what can be done to make polluters pay *Provides real, effective policy framework and applications of cross-border environmental accountability *Invaluable for researchers, policy-makers, NGOs, activists, students and all others affected by transboundary pollution The growth of pollution that crosses national borders represents a significant threat to human health and ecological sustainability. Various international agreements exist between countries to reduce risks to their populations, however there is often a mismatch between national territories of state responsibility and transboundary hazards. All too often state priorities do not correspond to the priorities of the people affected by pollution, who often have little recourse against major polluters, particularly transnational corporations operating across national boundaries.Drawing on case studies, "The New Accountability" provides a fresh understanding of democratic accountability for transboundary and global harm and argues that environmental responsibility should be established in open public discussions about harm and risk. Most critically it makes the case that regardless of nationality, affected parties should be able to demand that polluters and harm producers be held accountable for their actions and if necessary provide reparations. ... Read more

Book Description

Five companies dominate the U.S. petroleum industry. Five control the worldwide trade in grain. Two have a corner on the private market for drinking water. In terms of actual dollars,trade in heroin, cocaine, and tobacco ranks alongside that in grain or metals. There are more slaves in the world today than ever before. Resource-by-resource, It’s All for Sale uncovers and discloses who owns, buys, and sells what. Some resources—such as fuel, metals, fertilizers, drugs, fibers, food, forests, and flowers—have, for better or worse, long been thought of as commodities. Others—including fresh water, human beings, the sky, the oceans, and life itself (in the form of genetic codes)—are more startling to think of as products with price tags, but, as James Ridgeway shows, they are treated as such on a massive scale in lucrative markets around the world.

Revealing the surprisingly small number of companies that control many of the basic commodities we use in everyday life, It’s All for Sale confirms in specific detail that globalization has been accompanied by an extraordinary concentration of ownership. At the same time, it is about much more than what company has cornered the market in corn or diamonds. Corporations and captains of industry, wars and swindles, oppressors and the oppressed, empires and colonies, military might and commercial power, economic boom and bust—all these come alive in Ridgeway’s canny and arresting reporting about the global scramble for power and profit. It’s All for Sale is an invaluable source for researchers, activists, and all those concerned with globalization, corporate power, and the exploitation of individuals and the environment. ... Read more

Book Description

Scott Prudham investigates a region that has in recent years seen more environmental conflict than perhaps anywhere else in the country--the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. Prudham employs a political economic approach to explain the social and economic conflicts arising from the timber industry's presence in the region. As well, he provides a thorough accounting of the timber industry itself, tracing its motivations, practices, and labor relations. ... Read more

Book Description

Complete guidebook to over 430 Lakes in California, detailed maps, current information, a must for campers, R.V.ers, fishermen, boaters and anyone who loves the outdoors. 25th Anniversary celebration, over 1 million copies sold since 1974. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nice !!!
Informative and nicely detailed maps. The cartoons are funny and the layout is like a good resume, it shows you what you want to know.

VALUABLE Resource for Boating families - Helpful Info
Clerly illustrates the necessary info about all lakes and places to enjoy boating. Easy to understand and use. We have purchased three editions over last ten years. Always in our boat. Suggestion, use a large zip-lock type bag to keep dry. Listen to the voice of experience. Also, it is not an effective storage method to leave on top of Jeep as you drive away from lake. Has a habit of not staying on top of car for 50 mile trip home.

This is a valuable reference and will save you disappointments in chosing the wrong lake. Call ahead to the individual facilities and ask questions. This is helpful in planning trips to the lake for your family. Enjoy.

Order the all new 12th Edition of this book
A must for all outdoor enthusiasts but get the new 12th Edition

Great reference for selecting lakes, including maps & phones
Excellent reference for choosing favorite boating lakes. Includes maps of lakes, phone numbers, costs to enter and facilities. If you are an active boat enthusiast, you will be happy to have this in your collection; the information is laid out very well. ... Read more

Book Description

The paragon of physical perfection and a sparkling example of Earth's forces at work, the diamond has fascinated all realms of society, from starlets to scientists.The Nature of Diamonds is a comprehensive look at nature's most coveted gem. A handsome, large-format book, The Nature of Diamonds is an authoritative and richly-illustrated tribute to the diamond. Leading geologists, gemologists, physicists, and cultural observers cover every facet of the stone, from its formation in the depths of the Earth, its ascent to the surface, and its economic, regal, social, and technological roles.Cutting-edge research takes the reader to the frontiers of diamond exploration and exploitation, from the Arctic wastes to the laboratories where diamonds are created for massive road shredders that rip up and then re-create superhighways.Here also is an overview of cutting, from the rough stones in Roman rings to the highly-faceted stones we see today, and a glimpse into the business of diamonds.Finally, The Nature of Diamonds chronicles scientific and cultural history and explores the diamond as both a sacred and a social symbol, including a picture history of betrothal rings. Wide-ranging illustrations explain the geology of diamonds, chart the history of mining from its origins in India and Brazil through the diamond rush in South Africa and today's high-tech enterprises, and capture the brilliance and beauty of this extraordinary gem. _ ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nature of Diamonds.
This is a good book which provides us enormous amount of information about the history and the composition of diamonds. However, there are two little illustrations. Anyway, the pictures are exceptional. ... Read more

Book Description

Conflicts between Hispanic farmers and developers made for compelling reading in The Milagro Beanfield War, the famous novel of life in a northern New Mexico village in which tradition triumphs over modernity. But as cities grow and industries expand, are acequias, or community irrigation ditches, a wise and efficient use of water in the arid Southwest? Jos Rivera presents the contemporary case for the value of acequias and the communities they nurture in the river valleys of southern Colorado and New Mexico.

Recognizing that "water is the lifeblood of the community," Rivera delineates an acequia culture based on a reciprocal relationship between irrigation and community. The acequia experience grows out of a conservation ethic and a tradition of sharing that should be recognized and preserved in an age of increasing competition for scarce water resources. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Great analysis of serious social problem
This is a wonderfully clear and thoughtful analysis of water politics. It should be read by anyone concerned about how we make decisions about water quality and quantity. The Florida Legislature, which as a group provided a ham handed approach to dealing with the Everglades and Native tribes, should collectively read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Ecologists Vandermeer and Perfecto look beyond simplistic explanations to show exactly why biodiversity is in such jeopardy around the world and what steps must be taken to slow the ravaging of rain forests. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

thought-provoking
Wonderfully researched, if sometimes dryly written. If you like this book, then you'll likely find something interesting in the coffee-table book, Costa Rica: The Last Country the Gods Made.

The essays, " New Conservation in the Costa Rican Parks System" and "House Made of Rain" touch on many of the things discussed in Vandermeer's text.

Great explanation of political ecology
As a professional in the environmental area in Central America, I applaud Vandermeer and Perfecto's explanations of the workings of man in the humid tropical forests of our region. These are not easy issues, yet they manage to leave the reader with a sense of the urgency without oversimplifying or becoming preachy. This book is best for someone who is really interested in the political ramifications of US policy in the tropics, or for someone interested in working in the environment overseas.

Great examination of rain forest destruction
I was drawn to this book because of the foreword by Vandana Shiva. I kept reading it. It does a good job of looking at several of the different variables causing rain forest destruction and keys in on land and food as major factors. Clear and easily read. Not to long or overly verbose.

Excellent, in-depth analysis of the loss of rainforests.
Vandermeer and Perfecto step forward with a review of a difficult and complex subject. Their analysis does not show the one-sided perspective that many do; they address the root causes of the problem of Deforestation in Tropical America. The book is excellent in its readability, depth, and human approach to what too many scientists try to explain as a purely biological problem. Gerald R. Urquhart Ph.D. ... Read more

Book Description

John Muir called it the "Range of Light, the most divinely beautiful of all the mountain chains I’ve ever seen." The Sierra Nevada—a single unbroken mountain range stretching north to south over four hundred miles, best understood as a single ecosystem but embracing a number of environmental communities—has been the site of human activity for millennia. From the efforts of ancient Native Americans to stimulate populations of game animals by burning brush to create meadows, to the present-day burgeoning resort and residential developments, the Sierra has endured, and often suffered from, the efforts of humans to exploit its bountiful resources for their own benefit.

Historian David Beesley examines the history of the Sierra Nevada from earliest times, beginning with a comprehensive discussion of the geologic development of the range and its various ecological communities. Using a wide range of sources, including the records of explorers and early settlers, scientific and government documents, and newspaper reports, Beesley offers a lively, readable, and deeply informed account of the history, environmental challenges, and political controversies that lie behind the breathtaking scenery of the Sierra.

Among the highlights are discussions of the impact of the California Gold Rush and later mining efforts, as well as the supporting industries that mining spawned, including logging, grazing, water-resource development, market hunting, urbanization, and transportation; the politics and emotions surrounding the establishment of Yosemite and other state and national parks; the tragic transformation of the Hetch Hetchy into a reservoir and the desertification of the once-lush Owens Valley; the roles of the Forest Service, Park Service, and other regulatory agencies; the consequences of the fateful commitment to wildfire suppression in Sierran forests; and the ever-growing impact of tourism and recreational use. Through Beesley’s thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion, John Muir’s "divinely beautiful" range is revealed in all its natural and economic complexity, a place that at the beginning of the twenty-first century is in grave danger of being loved to death. ... Read more