Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

Parnwell MJG. and Bryant RI... (eds.). 1996. Environmental Change in SE Asia. Routledge. xv + 383. ISBN 0 415 12933 8. £15.99.

Sustainable development, having been a buzzword for the last few years is now coming under greater scrutiny as a concept. lle subtitle of this text "people, politics and sustainable development" sets the agenda. The editors present us with a four- part book exploring the key elements of development. Part one, context, examines the range of forces for and against development in the region with contributions on the paper industry, NG0s and Japan. Part two, process, analyses some of the forms of human- induced change in the region with forestry being the major example. Part three is an examination of the methods that can be used to chart human-induced change using examples of research, GIS and management. The final part, options, is an exploration of some of the ways forward (and how some are less forward than others!).

There is much to recommend this text. The editors provide both initial and final chapters as overview and summation. lle cases are both topical and written from first-hand experience which adds a fresh dimension to their thoughts. We are presented with a realistic assessment of change in the region. There is a sense that much is wrong but that there is the possibility of improvement.