AlternateRoute

I have just finished reading Resetting the Compass - Australia’s Journey Towards Sustainability. According to the blurb it sets out Australia’s environmental problems in their global context and explains what is now needed to fix them. It also illustrates how ecological sustainability can be achieved together with economic, social and cultural sustainability.
The book examines the pressures on our environment from population growth, consumption patterns and technological change. It looks at the impacts on human settlements, atmosphere, biodiversity, land and inland waters and the marine environment. The specific actions needed to deal with each of the problems identified are described in detail. With a provocative forward by Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, this book is essential reading for politicians and public servants; business leaders and managers; environmentalists; academics and students in environmental courses; and all those interested in environmental issues.
I found the book interesting, but somewhat depressing. The book is six years old now and it still seems as if those in power are ignoring most of the suggestions. The environmental problems described are still there, and for the most part getting worse, and the world continues on a “business as usual” path where unlimited growth is not only a possibility, but a necessity. With the amount of political interference being suffered by scientists at the CSIRO it is a wonder such a book was even published, although it was before Howard had a majority in both houses.
It is well worth a read and hopefully will spur you into action.
“Resetting the Compass - Australia’s Journey Towards Sustainability.” is written by David Yencken and Debra Wilkinson and published by CSIRO Publishing 2000
Similar books worth reading include:

• Economia by Geoff Davis
• The Natural Advantage of Nations by Hargroves and Smith
• The Ecology of Commerce by Paul Hawken

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007 at 1625 and is filed under Books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.