Divided Planet: The Ecology of Rich and Poor

Rating:
Summary: A far-ranging, essential work
Review: Divided Planet accomplishes what hundreds of other books about environmental politics don't: it digs into the big questions of the complicated web of relationships between economy and ecology, and so gets to the heart of most of the troubles facing the planet. Athanasiou writes clearly and coherently about various approaches to environmental problems, and he measures them against a wide view of the world's resources which has more in common with Oxfam than the Sierra Club.

The book offers a cogent analysis of our troubles and an almost unique vision of where we need to go from here, but also serves as a reliable history of the environmental movement and various environmental philosophies, from moderate pragmatism to Deep Ecology. Athanasiou is honest and fair about the strengths and limits of past approaches, while at the same time offering his own radical point of view. (And I don't mean radical as a demeaning term -- one of the benefits of this book is that Athanasiou recognizes the need for big, systemic changes.)

Unlike many books on similar subjects, this is not a manifesto of doom and gloom or two hundred pages of blame, blame, blame. Yes, Athanasiou admits the situation doesn't look good, but he's interested in figuring out what to do, not in sitting around and whining. Divided Planet offers an excellent and humane critique, but it also offers some paths forward. We could all stand to listen to the critique, and take a step onto one of the paths.

Rating:
Summary: Sober analysis of current environmental realities
Review: Divided Planet is the product of a veteran environmental advocate. Tom Athanasiou presents a sober analysis of current environmental realities in this well-written and thoughtful book. As our environment deteriorates, the author documents and analyzes the dialogue between those who plunder natural resources and those who are working to protect our planet. Importantly, the root cause of environmental destruction -- the divide between rich and poor -- is mostly overlooked, the author writes. Mr. Athanasiou's book explains why overcoming North/South economic disparity may be a daunting task, yet he also provides inspiration for those individuals who may ultimately work for environmental justice on a global scale. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Sober analysis of current environmental realities
Review: Divided Planet is the product of a veteran environmental advocate. Tom Athanasiou presents a sober analysis of current environmental realities in this well-written and thoughtful book. As our environment deteriorates, the author documents and analyzes the dialogue between those who plunder natural resources and those who are working to protect our planet. Importantly, the root cause of environmental destruction -- the divide between rich and poor -- is mostly overlooked, the author writes. Mr. Athanasiou's book explains why overcoming North/South economic disparity may be a daunting task, yet he also provides inspiration for those individuals who may ultimately work for environmental justice on a global scale. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A new outlook...
Review: Highly recommended for anyone looking to get beyond the tired, short-sighted rhetoric of those in the environmental movement avoiding the debate of economics and the current rich/poor gap in the world. An insightful critique of the environmental movement, focusing on right-wing environmentalists, politicians, ngo's, and population obsessors. Also included is an even more detailed critique of the new global order firmly established after the cold war and the challenges it presents a quickly destabalizing world. A much needed read for environmental activists, anti-corporate globalization activists, human rights advocates, and especially those opposed to their actions as the book is an intelligent, well-sighted, in-depth critique of the new economic world order.