Ecology for Beginners

Sketches a grand sweep of the rise of life, ecosystems, the rise and fall of civilizations, industrialism, colonialism/imperialism, overview of basic science, the arrogance of science with a touch of gender politics, the emptiness and excess of modern life (for those in 'developed' countries), loss of resources due to overutilisation/erosion/ desertification/monoculture agribusiness, concentration of control over production into a handful of giant corporations, the myth of food shortage, the deep/wide damage inflicted by unfettered capitalism, the myth that centralised control under soviet 'socialism' is different from centralised control under state-capitalism, Native American perspectives, the cross-disciplinary nature of ecology, including the necessarily social/political/economic nature of effective ecology, refutation of technology as a panacea, affirmation of technology's positive role in suggestion to work less & better, complex (interrelated) vs. complicated (incomprehensible/spinning out of control) systems, ecological planning & farming, recycling/sustainability, global solidarity against the 'world order', as exemplified by a broad spectrum of groups working for change. The book closes with a list of questions for the reader to consider: is what i make at work really useful or necessary? can it be made better? is there a shortage of goods or services anywhere that my workplace could meet? how could our production be reorganized? does my working environment need improving? can the work itself be made more enjoyable? is my union interested in these questions? is my party doing anything about the environment? is my environment group on the right track? can i cycle to work instead? can i start a car pool? do i really need all the things i buy? do they waste resources or damage the environment? do they benefit Agribiz? do they deprive the Third World?is there local produce i can buy instead? can i help start or participate in a local co-op? can i help draw up a shopping list for 'alternative consumers'? is there an allotment or patch of land i could cultivate? where can i found out more about how things really work and what i can do?

Author of Nuclear Power for Beginners, Stephen Croall makes this palatable introduction to the eco-system enjoyable, entertaining and easy to grasp for anyone. It also makes many fine remarks on our food industry and health in general where ones awareness is raised to the level of conscious living. While his reference seems to rely mainly on Ivan Illich's works (Tools for Conviviality), it does express its own interests that the Earth is a living system an co-dependent no us and other creatures that inhabit this planet. Although out of print, for the beginner it may be worth searching for if they are curious about the subject. Otherwise, for those that do enjoy the Beginners series, then this one is right on!