Environment and Self-Endangered Man

The author of ‘Environment and Self Endangered Man’ argues that today’s problems of environment can only be solved by willing and cooperative efforts by people at all levels of society. This can only be achieved if people, of opposing view points and interests, listen to each other and develop cooperation instead of competition. If they fail in their efforts, they will endanger the existence of man kind, because dwindling resources combined with endemic tendency of violence in human nature and availability of weapons of mass destruction would generate genocidal wars. The book traces the history of environment movement and defines environment as a resource platform shared by all life forms. Resources of land, water and air and controversies of ozone hole and global warming are discussed from the view points of environmentalists, conservationists, developers, administrators, scientists and general public. There is also a wealth of information on destruction of rain forests, coral reefs, water sheds, wetlands and management of dams and rivers. Additionally its chapter on pollutants holds important information of interests to consumer advocates. In this section on ‘People’, it looks at the environmental problems on the basis of whole of humanity. It considers problems of developing nations as well as those of industrial economies and recognizes that we need both economic development and environment preservation. It advocates building up of environment’s capacity to sustain life and not rely solely on conservation efforts. It pays attention to social as well as ecological problems and considers the impact of international politics on environmental problems and policies of sustainable development. It identifies wars as one of the major causes of environmental degradation; and last but not the least; it emphasises need for careful scientific evaluation of problems and necessity of avoiding misleading public relations propaganda.  The book can be used as a text for environmental studies, as a required reading in advance courses in social studies, environmental planning, rural studies, and a host of allied subjects; and NGOs, social activists, and consumer advocates will be able to use this book as reference source in their libraries and discussions.