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Contents:

1 - A history of our future; 2 - Watching birds disappear; 3 - Linking population, women and biodiversity; 4 - Combatting malaria; 5 - Charting a new energy future; 6 - Scrapping mining dependence; 7 - Uniting divided cities; 8 - Engaging religion in the quest for a sustainable world.

Review:

As the title shows, this is the 20th volume is the series. That it continues to grow in importance is a measure of the regard with which it is held by the wide range of readers it has gathered. Certainly this is one text reviewed annually here. 20 years ago it was one of the first to put global environmental data easily within the reach of the general public. Its sole serious competition was the data publications of the World Bank. today, there are a plethora of publications (many with online components) ranging from the World Bank and United Nations organisations to other environmental groups such as the World Wide Fund for Nature and the World Resources Institute. Thus the review questions are not so much what is in the publication but has it kept its edge?

An opening timeline makes a good start. Whilst in no way trying to be comprehensive, we have a four page spread which gives an indication of important global events in terms of producing a sustainable society (seen as one of the key directions for the Institute). The work proper opens with an investigation into human tool development arguing that as innovation rates increase so do the problems created by it. This is a somewhat unusual perspective to take but it forces the reader to re-think about the notions of development along new lines which is no bad thing given the huge coverage it receives. We are back on to more familiar territory with chapter two which looks at the rate of extinction of birds and how we might address this. Chapter three returns to more innovative territory linking biodiversity with gender and population levels. The links between population and biodiversity have been made clear for years. More recent research has shown that areas seen as 'biodiversity hotspots' have greater rates of population pressure than elsewhere (which puts even more pressure on the need to find solutions). The impact of gender on rates of development is not new but putting the three together is an interesting move. The basic thesis being argued is that if women controlled more of the usage of natural resources they would do more to conserve them (based on their input in similar life-improving schemes such as health care). We are given several cases of where women have an impact but one is left wondering if its so purely gender (i.e. all women and all men?). Chpater four looks at one of the great environmental promises in the immediate post-WW2 time: the removal of malaria. It was assumed that malaria, like smallpox, could be overcome with enough control. Sadly, it seems that we can't control this disease as easily as smallpox (leaving aside the ecological impact of removing a key food source from the web). Whilst chapter six talks about a new energy future , what we see is a revamp of the renewable/sustainable energy scenario with an update for the many improvements in technology. Metal ore mining is controversial for a number of reasons but in chapter six we see arguments for it to be scaled down. Quite reasonably we are asked why we need to mine more if we don't re-cycle what we've got. Chapter seven looks at the way cities have and can/should develop. The division of the title is taken on many levels. We start with South Africa (division by race), move through the general developing world (division by wealth and government action) to consider that advantages and disadvantages of slums. The downside of slums is obvious but the upside, in terms of community action, is less well reported. It's important to be reminded that there is still room for innovation and action in the poorer areas. This chapter gives a range of examples where by using simple measures, from re-building to small-scale financing, former slum dwellers are able to improve their conditions. The final chapter, linking environmental concern with religion, continues the theme of exploring the less well-known aspects of global environmental concern. We are told about a range of religion/environment initiatives and the common concerns shared by both groups (although perhaps one should acknowledge that there is nothing to stop one belonging to both groups simultaneously!).

The book continues to give voice to a range of environmental concerns. It is well-written and the sources are claerly documented making following the arguments at any level relatively easy. It has grown in importance over the years to stand as a key annual publication. Previous volumes have been well received by this reviewer so how does this compare? Perhaps the key to the response lies in the book's subtitle 'progress towards a sustainable society'. Previous issues have tackled key environmental topics and produced data which shows where progress has or has not been made. Early volumes were used for the quality of the data - often difficult to find. Today, we have far greater access to data and so this need could decline. What we do get here is a text with a particular perspective. The tone of inquiry has been replaced with a message and it's this that is more difficult to reconcile. It's as if the Institute has found a way forward and is now encouraging everyone to follow. If this is to be the case (and one can note subtle changes since the former long-term editor left) then it is important to realise it and not rely so much on the neutrality of the data. It's still a must-buy - no book comes close to producing the mix of quality writing with data. What we do seem to be getting is a new breed of global sustainable study which promises to be stimulating.