Book Review

by Paul Ganderton

Holdgate M. 1999. The Green Web. Earthscan. pp xi + 308. ISBN 1 85383 595 1. £17.50

Since the late 1940s were a time of unparalleled activity for environmental issues (the birth of the UK planning system, the Nature Conservancy - see above) it's not surprising that there are a number of books dealing with 50th anniversaries. Sometimes we take these organisations for granted. However, a look at their history reveals a mixture of luck, politics and determination (in any order). One of our most respected scientists has completed a history of the first 50 years of the IUCN or World Conservation Union as it's now known. Surprisingly, the book starts with the assertion that it is the 'conservation world's best-kept secret'. Given the data that it has provided for generations of conservationists this might seem strange but Holdgate maintains that it is part of its success - to be a 'green web' (hence the title) rather than an advocacy group. The book follows a timeline from the beginnings to the recent World Conservation Congress describing the people, events and initiatives that shaped the IUCN. A final chapter is used to put a more critical analysis of events and the future of the organisation. It is a fascinating book to read although you would need to be familiar with the background to fully appreciate it.