Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

McConnell RL. and Abel DC. 1999. Environmental Issues: Measuring, Analyzing and Evaluating. Prentice Hall. pp xi + 205. ISBN 0 13 095270 2.

One of the problems with environmental studies has been the lack of quantification and analytical techniques that students could use to understand a problem. When statistics have been presented it has either been incomplete or at such a level as to be difficult for the beginner to interpret. The authors take a different perspective and argues for a critical approach to the subject. This text is a student workbook which takes a series of themes and some associated mathematical and philosophical routines. The book opens with an introduction to the metric system, scientific notation and one of the best overviews on critical thinking that one can find. The 20 subsequent chapters are grouped into 6 themes: population and migration, consumption and the quality of life, energy use, air pollution, hydrosphere and living resources. Each of the chapters follows a common format. Starting with an objective, there is some background reading to set the case study in context, a series of questions (with help if needed e.g. mathematics) and some specific critical thinking questions. References and a selection of web sites completes the text.

This is an excellent way of producing more critically informed student debate. Work could be set from middle secondary school upwards. Its only fault for a UK audience is that it is very heavily US-oriented. To make the best use of this text (and it would be worth it for the global case studies alone) teachers would need to substitute local data.