Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

Guha R. & Martinez-Alier J. 1997. Varieties of Environmentalism. Earthscan. pp xxiii + 230. ISBN 1 85383 329 0. £14.95.

Rarely, too rarely one might add, there comes along a book which challenges one's presuppositions about a subject: this is such a book. What is environmentalism? What is the range and nature of its subject matter? How does it see the world-view? This book takes one very simple thesis - that location and personal situation define one's definitions - and subjects it to detailed criticism. This is no anti-development book but a reasoned critique in which some of the long held beliefs of current Western-oriented environmentalism are laid bare. The 10 chapters are divided into two sections. The first of these sections looks at a range of issues from the perspectives of North and South. Numerous aspects are debated: poverty and development, political ecology, cross-cultural debates, environmentalism of the poor and radical American thought amongst others. The aim of this part is to look at conventional notions (i.e. those derived from European or North American traditions) and to show how other ways of looking can produce different results. In so doing the authors create a dialogue with the reader challenging her/him to question current beliefs. The second part examines the impact made by three people: Gandhi, Georgescu- Roegen and Mumford on our notions of the environment.

This is one of the best books produced on this subject. It provides a powerful antidote to conventional Western perspectives. It should be read by every undergraduate tackling courses in applied ecology, environment and development. Given the multi-cultural nature of many schools it could also be an excellent starting point for exploring personal viewpoints. A definite must-have for any the library.