Canada and the State of the Planet [Paperback]

This will be the first popular yet comprehensive book on the global environment and what it means for Canadians. It will report on the state of the atmosphere, land and water, and the consequences for human health. Although the book will focus on data describing problems in these areas, it will include options for change. It should prove an essential ready reference for a broad range of readers, and will be updated on a regular basis. Following a brief introduction outlining the contents and explaining key concepts, a series of short essays will explore key issues. The lead article by the editor will provide an overall picture of the state of global environmental change and put recent events into perspective. Other essays on topics of current interest will be written by distinguished figures from the academic, political, business and non-governmental sectors. The second and largest section will make extensive use of charts and graphs to track about twenty key environmental issues. Economic and social consequences will also be examined. Subjects will include the ozone layer, acid rain, long range transport of toxic substances, erosion and land degradation, parkland and protected areas, fresh water quality and quantity, biodiversity, food consumption, population growth and migration, disease, and armed conflicts. The final section will give extra contextual details, useful background statistics and a list of important upcoming events such as conferences.

The Canadian Global Change Program is Canada's premier science group on global environmental issues. Its mission is to promote informed action through sound advice on global change. Founded in 1985 under the auspices of the Royal Society of Canada, it is a non-governmental organization bringing together scientists and other specialists from many disciplines to plan interdisciplinary research, assess its significance and communicate the implications. Michael Keating is a journalist whose experience includes nine years as environment reporter for the Globe and Mail.