Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

Environment Agency. 1998. The State of the Environment of England and Wales.: Fresh Waters. TSO. Pp 214. ISBN 0 11 310148 1. £35.

Office for National Statistics. 1998. UK Environmental Accounts 1998. TSO. Pp vi + 187. ISBN 0 11 621022 2. £30.

DETR. 1998. Digest of Environmental Statistics. TSO. Pp xxiv + 338. ISBN 0 11 753466 8. £31.50.

Three different publications all dealing with specific elements of the UK environment. Given the need for students to have access to recent data which one(s) are most appropriate? The "freshwater" study is a very comprehensive overview of the state of the rivers in England and Wales. For those unfamiliar with the subject the initial overview might add little but the body of the text is full of detail. After an introduction, a useful opening chapter on the background to freshwater studies (hydrologic cycle, historical dimension) sets the scene. This is followed by chapters on freshwater pressures and the current state of rivers (in considerable detail with no major element left untouched). A chapter dealing with freshwater usage is followed by the Environment Agency's opinion as to the best course of action and a series of useful appendices covering law and methodology. The text is full of well-presented graphs, diagrams and "boxes" of additional information. The level of detail and the quality of information make this ideal for senior student study. In contrast, the UK accounts gives the reader a mixture of theory and data. It reads more as a technical note to other statisticians than a student text. This is not to say it contains nothing of note. The 10 chapters cover a range of material - time series, accounting techniques, sustainability and green research. Data illustrate the aspects under discussion. As such this is an ideal text for more advanced students of the vital area (post-Kyoto) of environmental accounting. Yet another contrast is provided by the digest of statistics. As the title suggests it covers a wide range of areas providing an overview of key areas both national and international. The 10 chapters examine atmosphere, air quality, fresh and marine waters, radioactivity, noise, waste, land use, wildlife and public attitudes with a final chapter providing highly detailed data for selected aspects. Each chapter starts with an overview explaining the data present and some of the more obvious trends. A bibliography assists those requiring more information. Much of the chapter is data given without explanation thus providing a good source of primary information. This volume is the 20th in the series which has provided a comprehensive overview of the state of the environment. It also means that the timescales being used provide data over a sufficiently long time for trends to be visible.

So, which publication? The accounts text is definitely for the undergraduate and above dealing with vital but highly technical elements. The digest provides the data but with a loss of explanation. Since the more familiar annual abstract of statistics has been a common addition to libraries for years there is no reason why this shouldn't join it. The freshwater survey is by far the most user-friendly (with the exception of the very small national maps used) and provides explanation for expert and beginner alike. It should appeal to many students. The digest is excellent for data but those finding it too tough might wish to get all their students the pocket guide ("The Environment in your Pocket 1998"). Free, it's an excellent source of information at exactly the right level for general upper school work.