Environment and Nature Books

Robison provides a novel interpretation of the issues surrounding environmental policy-making, one which explains both why we make bad decisions, and what we can do about it. Combining both the institutional character of James Q Wilson and the rational approaches of many others, Robison describes how our past decisions influence our current thinking and choices through the creation of 'natural social artifacts.' I would recommend this to anyone attempting to tackle larger explanations of policy-making, and for anyone who has grown weary with fatalistic or conspiratorial approaches. The optimism in this book is commendable.

A concise, well-researched study of one of the most fascinating new paradigms for social change and conservation: the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. A must-read for anyone interested in new trends in conservation, and in hope for our planet.

The degrassi TV series was a milestone in Canadian TV but the books are even better.

If you are to pick up only one of these books though id have to recommend this one. Its Fun to read and gives off a feeling of real life. The characters have problems that real people have!

The Series has a cult following and its only a matter of time until the books do too! If you like the Show Youll love these books. See if you can collect them all!

I'd love this book if I was a college student eager to see my campus act responsibly. While the old, conservative farts are busy waging verbal wars over whether carbon is responsible for planetary warming, I'd use this book as the basis of a pro-active campus-wide green revolution. Much more interesting and worthwhile than being a university internet 'eco-warrior'.
Every university campus adminstrator should be given a copy of this release.

This is a book of great depth and insightful analysis. I highly recommend this book to anyone. I wish it recieved more attention from universities. An absolute pageturner and all other suitable cliches. As true as anything written.

Bruce Williams and Albert Matheny put together a cohesive collection of insights into the regulation of hazardous wastes. This book is all about dialogue, and the characters that come into play here are on three very different levels. Of course the unspoken character is the environment, and that is the one that is the most impacted by the discussions. This book illustrates just how confused and confusing policy making can be. This book is a fantastic read, but also very frustrating when you really think about the implications.

This book explores two principal contradictions in environmental politics in India -- between nature conservation and large-scale development projects, and between short-term electoral politics and long-term imperatives of environmental conservation. This is the first book that undertakes an in-depth analysis of democratic politics, including political parties and voter mobilization strategies, in terms of its impact on the relationship between conservation and development in developing countries.

The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Himachal Pradesh, north-western India, is home to the western Tragopan--an endangered pheasant. It shares its habitat with the local population living on the park's fringes. In1999, the final notification of the GHNP banned grazing and plant collection by locals--ostensibly in the interests of conservation. At the same time, the State de-notified a portion of the Park, thus enabling construction of the Parbati hydro-electric project.

The authors use the story of Parbati and Tragopan as symbolic representations of development and conservation to enter into a larger discussion on the politics surrounding these seemingly contradictory processes. The state, while espousing a conservation ideology, also promotes developmental (hydel) projects that go against the grain of conservation. This contradiction is resolved through a strategic reading of the law which enables the state to de-notify protected areas.
Additionally, the law is bypassed to `unofficially' permit grazing and plant collection to continue, so as not to alienate potential vote-banks. Ultimately, it is the management of these contradictions that shapes the politics of state formation.

The authors argue that a coalition approach bringing together biologists, local residents, the forest department, political actors, and social activists might achieve more than the current process that pits one against the other. This book demonstrates that both conservation and development are inter-related and inherently political. An improvement on either front will require greater strategic engagement with political actors and processes.

Ashwini Chhatre Research Fellow, Center for International Development, Harvard University.
Vasant Saberwal Program Officer, Environment and Development, Ford Foundation, New Delhi

An excellent book. Very technical and precise and yet not difficult to understand. Many diagrams and charts make it easier to understand. Many modern examples are given of various wave-ripple types as well as bedforms. I like it. It's the best that I could find. Topics covered include Physical Parameters, Current and Wave Ripples, Surface Markings and Imprints, Scour Marks, Tool Marks, Penecontemporaneous Deformation Structures, Bedding, Sediment Grain Parameters. As well is included a large section on Modern Environments: Glacial, Desert, Lake, Fluvial, Estuarine, Deltaic, Coastal, Shelf, Lagoon, Tidal Flats, Continental Margin-Slope-Ocean Basin.

"With little rain and extreme temperatures, deserts are some of the harshest places on Earth."

You will also learn amazing things, like how a cobra can still breathe while swallowing its prey. How a camel is dressed up in full regalia and how people live and eat in the desert.

Features:

Full-color photographs of the people who live in the desert
Pictures of creatures and plants that survive extreme temperatures
Pictures of beads, necklaces, Aboriginal necklaces, amulets, anklets, rings, bracelets, rock art.

Contents:
What is a desert?
What is a desert made of?
Seas of sand - I have a workout video that has the backdrop of sand that makes
life look smooth and relaxing. It is called: Alimacgraw yogamind&body
Water in the desert
After the rains
How plants survive
Insects
Reptiles
Birds
Mammals
Adapting to desert life
Ship of the desert
Camel regalia
Domesticated animals
Dwellings
Food and drink
Men's costume
Women's costume
Desert brides
Jewelry
Spinning and weaving
Arts and crafts
Exploring the desert

Loved seeing the picture of a "Desert Rose" that is a strange shaped crystal that is formed within the sand dunes in the Sahara.

This entire book just made me want to go find a beach!

~The Rebecca Review

As a preschool teacher, I was unsure how my students would take listening to the poetry of Byrd Baylor, but as soon as I began reading 20 preschool children sat still as they heard Desert Voices. The children could relate to what was being said, because they too live in the desert. The book sparked conversation about desert plants, animals, and rocks. The poetry brought the desert to life in their minds. I recomend the book to all children, as a way to introduce poetry, learn about the desert, and enjoy the desert.