Customer Reviews

Sobering facts on the state of the planet - By: Rolf Dobelli, 12 Nov 2008
An Ivy League dean trained as a lawyer, James Gustave Speth lays out evidence to show that life on this planet is being pushed to an end. Marshalling sobering facts, he illustrates how humankind has taxed the Earth's resources beyond its capacity to regenerate. By creating a culture that worships consumption, capitalism has combined with political self-interest & misguided policies to hasten the environment's demise. An international community of scientists has provided staggering proof of global warming, yet U.S. political leaders have denied the problem & delayed action. Speth worked to protect the environment within the bureaucracy's sanctioned processes for years, but he now concludes that the environmental movement launchedin the 1970s is a failure. He urges citizens & leaders to readjust their priorities. He also advocates public policies that provide financial incentives for sustainable practices, & says governments should hold corporations accountable for the true environmental costs of their products. getAbstract recommends this book to readers who are interestedin economics & social trends, & who want their great-grandchildren to live here - on this planet.