From Publishers Weekly
Garte, a professor of public health, presents a well-researched, clearly written summary of the health of our planet, with histories of lead paint, ozone and various chemicals as well as analyses of human health and planetary health; the prognosis is surprisingly optimistic, and prescriptions are encouraging. While the environmental problems hyped daily on the news are real and ongoing, things have improved-air and water are cleaner, more food is available, life spans are up and infant mortality is down, diseases are better understood and treated-and will continue to improve if efforts continue. Garte points out the fallacies in standard right- and left-wing approaches-the planet is not in imminent danger of imploding, he says, but neither will it be saved by the free market-and shows how most improvements over the past 40 years have been the result of government intervention. Garte's reasoned discussion and compelling, honest tone make this a valuable tool for increasing science literacy with regards to the important environmental issues of the day; Garte's recommendations, to "continue on the paths we have been traveling and finally acknowledge the great progress that we have already made" should put new wind in discouraged environmentalists' sails, while plentiful references, data and illustrations will give skeptics material to think over.
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Product Description
"Where We Stand" will serve as a reality check in the often heated debate about the environment. Dr. Garte presents irrefutable evidence that the state of the environment and human welfare has been improving steadily for the past two decades and that our efforts to "save the planet" are working. Thoughtful and impeccably researched, "Where We Stand" will energize future efforts with the knowledge that we can make a difference.
