Environment and Nature Books

This is not your standard "what does religion X think about the natural world and humans" kind of book. After the Introduction, the Reader's Guide suggests reading these five entries first: Environmental Ethics, Religious Studies and Environmental Concern, Ecology and Religion, Ecological Anthropology, and Social Science on Religion and Nature. I think that gives a good idea of the focus of the work. Individual entries run from Edward Abbey to Zulu War Rituals, with most including cross-references and additional reading lists.

Despite some reservations, I absolutely delight in reading these volumes and look forward to years of enjoyment from them and from other works they lead me to. I write this despite being an atheist, but one who believes that if anything could right our relationship with the world we live it, it would be a change in attitude not science or new technology.

My biggest problem is the physical size and weight of the two volumes. They'd be great on a library's reference shelf, but they're tough on the forearms in a chair or the chest when reading in bed, and aren't something you'd want to cart around to read on your commute. Every entry I've tried so far has been very readable, some even literary and poetic. As an individual, I wish this came in a more usable set of more volumes with fewer pages.

There are some topics which would seem very appropriate entry subjects which aren't covered such as biotechnology, cloning, and energy issues especially nuclear power. Perhaps they're mentioned in broader topics but they don't have their own entries.

The entries I've read on individuals are written by supporters. One doesn't get any sense of the controversies and range of opinion surrounding the ideas and works of Ed Abbey and Carol Adams, to take a couple early examples. I can see the value of such a positive approach as a first introduction to someone's work; just be aware you're not getting a complete evaluation or objective opinion in cases like these.

I happened to get these hardcovers at a great price, much less than the price of the coming paperback edition, but I'd consider these a bargain at full price.

If you've ever wondered whether religion promotes or hinders environmental concern and action, or whether environments shape religion, or why in recent decades there has been such a fuss about such questions, you'll have difficulty putting down this remarkable encyclopedia. This work is global in scope, both geographically and chronologically, with 1000 entries, covering nearly every imaginable subject. It is a must-have resource for all College and University Libraries, and many environmental studies programs, and departments and scholars that attend to religion, culture, and the environment will want to have a copy of their own. But it written accessibly and would be a valuable resource for community and high school libraries, churches, synagogues, and other religious institutions, as well. But don't take my word for it. The introduction, sample entries, and entry and contributor lists, are provided at www.religionandnature.com, will make it easy to judge for yourself the value of this monumental work.

This is a very good book.Gives a wealth of info on each species and while not giving exact locale info it does give you some good ideas on where to look.
Their are some species in my area that I know are endangered but are not listed in the book.I researched to find out why and found out it's because theirs no baseline statistics to measure a decline against.We need a baseline to measure a decline against before they disappear completely.The book is as complete as can be given the incomplete information he had to go on from the NJ Endangered Species program.The scarlet snake,coastal plains milk snake and the eastern spadefoot toad are three that are not included through no fault of the authors of course.All in all a great book and well researched out for the info he had to go from.Would have had to talked to local herpers to find out about the rest of these species.
Al

This is the only book of its kind specific to New Jersey, and it's a good one. A nice, thorough description of each endangered/threatened species, along with habitat requirements and life history info. Beautiful photos too. Beautiful guide to rare wildlife and a window into the wilderness areas of NJ.

I should state that I had the benefit of being a student in Professor Brown's class where we utilized this book.

That being said, many of the "myths" in this book are misconceptions that perhaps most of society today falls victim to. The book presents evidence from leading scholars in the fields of energy technology, public policy and economics which shed some much needed light on these topics and shows how interwoven they really are.

If you have an interest in where this country and the rest of world is heading in terms of energy reform, and what obstacles (both technological and political) lay in their paths, then this is an excellent book for you.

This is an excellent introduction to real energy issues, written by experts, with many useful references for further study. Energy mythinformation (inadvertent or otherwise) propagates all too easily, and this book does a good job of debunking the common myths.

Anyone involved in policies regarding energy&climate change should be familiar with this material, and that includes ordinary citizens, especially those who might care about the US economy and environment seen by any grandchildren.

I'd summarize the book as saying:
a) We face serious problems, as we *will* run out cheap oil, and then cheap gas [look up "Peak Oil" in Wikipedia], and if we keep burning coal without sequestering CO2, we will push the planet into a much hotter state with serious economic downsides. Right now, the US economy depends on cheap oil, and of course, it might be better not to be selling off big chunks of the US economy to other countries to feed our oil habit forever.

b) However, we actually have pretty good solutions for many of the problems, mostly without requiring magic technology leaps. There is no one silver bullet, but a myriad of small actions to be taken to stop wasting energy, many of which actually save money right away.

c) Most of the actions required are actually policy choices, with help from widespread use of existing technologies, plus rational R&D investments. Low electicity-per-capita use in some states has been achieved with no obvious economic catastrophes. [Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and California are not usually considered poor places.] Of course, we have much further to go, but in many cases, it really is a matter of choosing to do the right things.

The editors provide an introduction and summary bookending 13 myth discussions by (mostly) other authors. Following is a list of the 13 myths, with comments on a few of the chapters:

1. Today's Energy Crisis is "Hype"

2. The Public is Well Informed About Energy

3. High Land Requirements and an Unfavorable Energy Balance Preclude Biomass Ethanol from Playing a Large Role in Providing Energy Services
- This is an especially important chapter, as the topic engenders much confusion. Not all biofuels need be from corn, and there is more land available than many think.

4. The Hydrogen Economy is A Panacea
- Dr. Joseph Romm shows why hydrogen (especially for vehicles) is a long way off, if ever, compared to PHEV/FF (plug-in-electric-vehicles with flex-fuels). He shows why research is appropriate, but not spending huge $$ for premature deployment, especially to the detriment of truly useful steps doable much sooner.

I also his recommend Joe's website http://climateprogress.org/, and his book Hell and High Water: Global Warming--the Solution and the Politics--and What We Should Do.

5. Price Signals are Insufficient to Induce Efficient Energy Investments

6. The Barriers to New and Innovative Energy Technologies are Primarily Technical:
- The Case for Distributed Generation
- In many ways, distributed generation of electricity would be more efficient, but power companies are geared for centralized generation, even with expensive long-distance distribution.

7. Renewable Energy Systems Could Never meet Growing Electricity Demand in America

8. Worldwide Power Systems are Economically and Environmentally Optimal
- Tom Casten and Robert Ayres show how far off we are, illustrating the efficiencies gotten with waste-energy recycling / cogeneration ... that are strongly inhibited by regulatory issues and market distortions, compared with places like Denmark or The Netherlands, etc. See Casten's website: http://www.recycled-energy.com/index.html

9. Energy Efficiency Improvements have Already Reached Their Potential
- Amory Lovins shows why not, why "negawatts" are really cost-effective, and why nuclear plants don't seem very cost-effective compared to other options. I especially liked his description of his Rocky Mountain house that lacks a conventional heating system, but whose design cuts heat losses to within 1% of various free heat gains. "The last 1% can come from a 50-watt dog, adjustable to 100W by throwing a ball..."

10. Energy Efficiency Measures are Unreliable, Unpredictable, and Unenforceable

11. Energy R&D Investment Takes Decades to Reach the Market

12. Climate Policy will Bankrupt the US Economy
- California is pretty aggressive on this, because we have to be, as all the impacts of global warming will cost us money. Nevertheless, California is hardly poor, and we expect that reworking our infrastructure for energy efficiency, and heading towards minimal use of fossil fuels as early as we can, will only make us more competitive in the face of increasing oil costs.

13. Developing Countries are Not Doing Their Part in Responding to Concerns about Climate Change

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This is a very useful book. I expect to study many chapters in further depth and chase down references.

"Engineering the Farm" is a must-read for anyone who eats...like "Against the Grain" (Lappe & Bailey's first book on the issue), "Engineering" explores the issue of agricultural biotechnology. In this book, Bailey & Lappe turn to a dozen or so other experts, each of whom provides a unique perspective on the impact of biotechnology on our lives--physical, environmental, social, ethical, and even spiritual effects which are too often ignored. Pick one up (and then pass it along!)

When it comes to topics like bioengineering, a lot of people publish theses and dissertations or they rant on in a political diatribe. Bailey is the rare exception who knows what she's talking about and makes it interesting. It's a refreshing surprise to come across a writer who has not only the scholarly credentials to do the work, but has the life experiences to draw upon to bring the points home. This is like reading a good novel except the characters are real, the planet is ours and the facts are astounding. This book will keep you not only informed and educated on the subject but it will entertain you as well. Now that's the kind of book we all enjoy reading.

If you are a teacher or parent, you will find this book a valuable addition to your library. When a child reaches a certain age he/she develops a strong curiosity about the way other children around the world live. Enrique's Day can satisfy her/his inquisitiveness while teaching tolerance and respect for other cultures.

In this book we follow a typical Peruvian boy throughout his day. Since Enrique is a real person and not a fictional character, the reader is offered a rare and intimate glimpse into Enrique's family life, traditions and culture. Sara Fajardo's compelling photography takes us on an exciting adventure into Enrique's colorful world.

This book portrays a day in the life of a little boy Enrique in the Andean city of Ayacucho. The book is beatifully photographed and well written. Sara Fajardo demonstrates that not only is she a great photographer, but a great writer as well.

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings had such a profound impact on me when I first read them many years ago, that I've spent a lot of time since then trying to figure out why. The answer to that question is always evolving; each re-reading, as the saying goes, teaches me something new about myself.

Tolkien's world is so rich that, as your own interests shift and grow, they are reflected in Middle Earth when next you return.

Lately I've been devoted to understanding climate change and meeting the challenge of putting Earth back on a course towards sustainability, so I was delighted to come across a book that explores the environmental themes in Tolkien's works.

"Ents, Elves and Eriador, The Environmental Vision of J.R.R. Tolkien" is a great read. It's part of a series called "Culture of the Land." Through this book, I returned to Middle Earth to see how those who cared for it most chose to treat it.

The Shire-folk held gardeners and farmers in high esteem; practical cultivation of the land was the rule there. A hobbit enjoyed a view of a well-tended field-- but largely in anticipation of the meals it could provide.

Elves appreciated the aesthetics of their well-ordered landscapes, as in the slow passing of the seasons in the cloistered woods of Lothlorien, but they didn't seem to worry much about growing food.

Ents appreciated wild nature for its own sake- and worked to keep it that way.

Whether Tolkien intended it or not (and there is reason to believe that he did), each culture serves to illustrate a different approach towards stewardship of the Earth. Conservation, preservation and protection are all needed in varying contexts and to varying degrees. Differences in approach sometimes divide people who share a desire to sustain the Earth and civilization. Working out these differences is the great task of "the Fourth Age," a Tolkienesque term for modern times; knowing this sheds new light on some of the themes in the stories from the Third.

Tolkien's ambivalence about unbridled technology is suggested by the hobbits' lack of appreciation for anything more complicated than a water mill. We're in a time when understanding what constitutes appropriate technology in our quest for survival is key. Understanding what we value in nature, and why, is as important. We may soon be in a position to choose what to save, if we can save ourselves. The authors do a wonderful job of pointing this out.

Ents, Elves and Eriador is a fascinating book. Dickerson and Evans take the reader through Tolkien's work detailing the beloved author's environmental vision. While even a casual reader of Tolkien's writing will recognize that industrialization accompanied evil in his books, this book reveals the depth of his positive vision of the way Middle Earth works. They discuss the various ecologies that make an appearance in Tolkien's work.

The authors:

* write not only about the ecologies themselves, but how Middle Earth becomes a character in the stories.
* also talk about how the people in the stories care (or not) for the environment around them.
* about how the Hobbits create a sustainable community in the Shire, growing food to feed themselves without damaging the soil.
* comment on how things go wrong when one person starts "owning more than is good for them"
* also talk about the role of elves in creating beauty in the world,
* Finally talk about Ent's preservation of the forest of Fangorn.

The works of Sauron are toxic and destructive of the efforts of all people who care for the world they live in. The authors draw parallels between unbridled corporate profits and kind of damage Sauron does to Middle Earth. They show how the poisoning of the earth around both Mordor and Isengard is all too similar to the damage done by industry.

Reading a non-fiction book about Tolkien's environmental vision may seem like a way to spoil the sheer fun of reading The Lord of the Rings and his other books. What I found as I read this book was that I wanted to reread every word of Tolkien to see for myself what the authors have given a glimpse of.

This book if for everyone who loves the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, and who loves the world around them.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

I have just completed Mr. Drielak's incredible book. I am an attorney and have read and studied many instructional books that try to impart the author's experience and knowledge. None has ever done it this well. Most instructional books contain extraneous, and often useless, information. "Environmental Crime" contains nothing but exacting, practical, useful, and insightful information for any person seeking to learn about this subject. I am eagerly waiting for his book on weapons of mass destruction.

Many books have been written about environmental crime. This is the first one that explains,in clear terms, how to conduct the criminal investigation in an environmental case. The information it contains is so complete, and so detailed, you know the author has been doing the work for a very long time. One of the most valuable parts of the book is the chart in the back. By looking up a chemical name, you can easily tell which federal laws regulate it. I wish I had this book when I first started in the field!

I bought this book when I was doing my Master's in Economics. Back then it helped me learn a great deal about environmental economics on my own (without a teacher). It is written in accessible language (not your typical cryptic economics text book), full of examples and honest in the way it presents the information -form this point of view the problem is this way, from that point of view the problem is this other way.
I now also hold a Master's in Environmental Studies and a PhD in Geography specializing in Energy and Transportation issues. For the past few years I have returned to it again and again for reference. While the edition is old (1993), it is still a great basic introduction and has good references for where to go next if you are looking for more depth or a more advanced treatment of the subject.

Of the four textbooks on the subject I've been through, this one scores the best credit. Within ecological economics there are two schools of thought. One is basically environmentalist in the sense that views the causes of environmental degradation, as being the economic system AS SUCH. Herman Daly is propably the most wellknown representant of this school. The other school deals with environmental problems as being a 'problem of getting the prices right'. This book is mostly concerned with the latter approach. Several aspects of this book ranks it above average. These are: 1) Although the book primarily deals with the market-approach, it actually covers all aspects of environmentalism, ranging from standard economics to deep ecology, treating each of the in a sober manner, 2) the book is very goos at pinpointing the problematic aspects of different theories, 3) The conclusions are supported by empirical evidence, presented in a readable and realevant manner 4) it really covers the breadth of the field, leaving you with a great overview of the topics you can specialize in, 5) it avoids some of the most common misunderstandings of the field, e.g. by specificly stating the difference between non-property resources and common property resources. All In all: It is a very recommendable book for those who are about to be introduced to the field of ecological economics.

This book is probally the most influential environmental law text in the nation. It is used by over 150 ABA approved law schools in the country. The reason for its influence is that it also happens to be the best written environmental law text. The beauty of this book is that it provides incredible amounts of information in a relatively easy readable format. Keep in mind this book is not an easy read, but it is certainly worth the effort. The text covers such subjects as what environmental law is to how groundwater laws are different in various parts of the country. The book also does a nice job of explaining the Federal/State battles over jurisdiction. The cases presented as illustrations to the various subjects make the text worth the purchase price alone. If you want to study environmental law or need the perfect reference text, then I heartily endorse this book. This book would make a perfect addition to any personal library for future use.

highly recommend this book for anyone interested in classic cases of environmental law and policy

Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Goods and Services: An Input-Output Approach

I find this book very useful because of the treatment given to the explanation of the concepts and the good examples which showed the application of these concepts. I recommended for those interested in life cycle assessment and its applications.

Professor of the Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería-Colombia-Sur América

I think this book does a good job explaining the science of lifecycle assessment, including all the math behind those big tables, and has good examples to illustrate the things you're learning about.