Review: For many years the Worldwatch Institute have been putting together the most important issues of that year and discussing their implications. This year sees their 25th edition which makes it one of the longest running and most respected yearbook. Each year there is a theme and this year its the advantages in building sustainable economies.

As always, the choice of focus is commendable. There are numerous forces arguing, just like the lead-in-petrol debate 25 years earlier, that it's not possible to have an booming sustainable economy and there is something in that even if it's just on the philosophical level that no growth is inexhaustible. As with recent years we start the book with a timeline of key environmental events. It covers a range of activities, both negative and positive that affect the environment. It acts as a reminder of events past and serves highlight issues that might be arising. Chapter one sets the scene by examining the ways by which we can start the new sustainable economy. Unlike the grander earlier schemes, this argues for a more cautious approach using targeted responses to economic needs. Chapter two critiques the various measures used to define 'progress' and suggests which might be most applicable for the future. Chapter three takes the basic capitalist idea of production and outlines how it can be made more acceptable. It's an interesting take on an old issue because it discusses not just the processes but the financing and theory surrounding it. It's not just production that needs examination: chapter four focusses on lifestyles pointing out, quite rightly, that a US-type lifestyle cannot be global but that it is possible to improve people's standards by other ways. Continuing with the personal side, chapter five examines the demand for protein, specifically meat and seafood which are both energy inefficient and degrading of ecosystems. There are many ways of looking at this idea of sustainability and the one that gets most press currently is carbon. Chapters six and seven focus on various issues with the former looking at the production side and the latter the financial market solution. This last chapter not only carries on the previous topic but also opens up a mini-section in the middle of the book. Entitled 'paying for nature's services' the three chapters tackle key issues. The idea of markets for carbon has already been mentioned. It's based on the idea that only when we put a value on something will it be managed (harking back to the 'tragedy of the commons' argument). This area is booming but time will tell if it is actually doing the job hoped of it. The other two chapters look at water supply and biodiversity. The former argues that water needs to be taken out of its narrow market confines. This approach rarely gives water its proper value in terms of ecosystem services. Likewise, biodiversity conservation can actually do more harm than good. What all three are arguing for is a greater mainstream acceptance of the need to re-think our economic stances and processes. Moving outside this special section, chapter 10 deals with non-capitalist ways of allocating resources. The case study of water allocation given here is one such way and contrasts very sharply with the conflicting situation in places like Australia. The final four chapters act as two pairs. The first pair looks at one of the most under-utilised resources - people, and argues for a greater say for communities through politics (community action) and local resource use. The last pair takes a look at the financial side of sustainability noting that we still need to run an economic system but should be able to do it with less damage than at present.

Again, this book stands out. The chapters are all well-written and sourced. They are brief enough to provide a concise overview without missing vital points but at the same time brief enough to allow the reader to gain a swift understanding of the topic. Issues are current. There are no specific viewpoints being proposed (if one discounts the notion that something needs to be done!). The editors maintain an useful mix of caution, warning and optimism. It stands alone as the single most useful annual on the world's environmental issues. It should be mandated for education and ecology/environment courses. Make sure your library has at least one of these books!