1 comments about Voices of the Poor: From Many Lands (Voices of the Poor).

1. This book is the third in a trilogy of books on the issue of poverty and human development undertaken by the World Bank. This last book will tell you the case studies from 14 countries. In all three books information was gathered from more than 60,000 poor men and women from sixty countries, the true experts on poverty with many stories to tell together with relevant and important observations. The study is different from other poverty studies in the fact that participatory and qualitative research methods were used. The voices of the poor from the whole world can be heard from each page you read. The task for the research team and authors has been enormous, but they have passed with flying colours.
   This book has 16 chapters with the story of poverty in 14 countries (Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kyrgyz Republic, Russian federation, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Jamaica) with each country chapter organized with a brief life story followed by the issues and discussions that emerged in the group sessions and individual interviews in each country.
   The book ends with advice for politicians and lawmakers, who have failed to address the issue of poverty that in many countries seem to make the rich more rich and the poor more poor. States should work towards reduction of poverty by promoting pro-poor economic policies, invest in poor people's assets and capabilities, support partnership with poor people, address gender inequity and children's vulnerability and protect poor people's right.
   We hope the three books and the material presented will be used in international forums in order to formulate efforts and plans to reduce global poverty, instead of collecting dust on the shelves...

1 comments about Jevons' Paradox and the Myth of Resource Efficiency Improvements (Earthscan Research Editions).

1. The Jevons Paradox is one of the most important yet least understood aspects of the energy sector. Efficiency doesn't necessarily result in decreased consumption. Rather, it usually means greater consumption. John Polimeni and his fellow authors do a great job of explaining why Jevons was right.

No comments about An Introduction to Sustainable Development (Routledge Perspectives on Development).

No comments about Conservation for a New Generation: Redefining Natural Resources Management.

No comments about Energy: Science, Policy, and the Pursuit of Sustainability.

No comments about Valuing the Future.

1 comments about Streamlined Life-Cycle Assessment.

1. MR. GRAEDEL PROVIDES A NEW AND FRESH INSIGHT IN THE CONCEPT OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENTS FOR PRODUCTS. HE PRESENTS TOOLS THAT CAN BE USED TO IDENTIFY ISSUES IN THE DESIGN STAGE OF A PRODUCT THAT AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND ALSO HOW TO ESTABLISH PRIORITIES AMONG THESE ISSUES. THE USE OF A SIMLIFIED MATRIX SHOWING RAW MATERIALS AND PROCESS STAGES VERSUS SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK THAT CAN EASLY USED TO IDENTIFY IMPROVEMENTS. IT ALSO PROVIDE PRACTICAL EXAMPLES OF REAL INDUSTRIAL CASES AND EXAMPLES OF THE QUESTIONS AND CHECK-LISTS REQUIRED TO PERFORM THESE CRADLE TO GRAVE ANALYSIS.

2 comments about The Drama of the Commons.

1. I had to have this book for a class I took. I found it difficult to track. If you must buy it, look for it used.



2. This book may be a little dry for those without interest in common property issues, but is perfect otherwise. Elinor Ostrom is at the top of her field.

5 comments about Growth Fetish.

1. Extraordinarily insightful - significant and urgent. As a 'civilised' society we must dampen the motivation of self interest and greed at the expense of all else (relationships, environment and happiness). This book describes in detail the roots of our unhappiness 'the prisoners of plenty' and seeks to describe a way forward. It will capture your imagination and stir you to reassess your definition of success.

   Easily the most signifcant book I have read and cannot recommend it highly enough.

   Enjoy and hopefully our 'advanced' human race can evolve to a society that promotes and supports the full realisation of human potential for all.




2. I think the basic premise of the book is credible: there is something definitely fishy with our current statistical growth mania and neoliberal political blindness, both from a sustainability and from a conceptual point of view.
   My disappointment is in the way it is worked out: the book does not carry proofs, statistical data etc. but mainly rethoric, some of it of the old Marxist flavor( last time I read that stuff was over 25 years ago, it has not become better with age ).
   The weakest part regards the future of work and the alternatives, plainly utopian without again any substantiation.
   This book will not convince anybody but the already convinced:



3. Clive Hamiltons sequel to Growth Fetish, "Affluenza", is rich with statistics on the state of Australian debt, spending habits and attitudes. Based on a great deal of research by the Australian Institute and others, perhaps in response to the more rhetorical basis of his last book. And those stats are truly shocking: the majority of Australians are sacrificing rich, fulfilling lives for overworked ones so they can live like the rich.
   
   If you've read Growth Fetish you know the questions, in Affluenza you get some of the answers: downshifting, voluntary simplicity and re-engagment with community.



4. A book against globalization, but not a run of the mill one. Hamilton deftly connects the counterculture of the 60s and the 70s with the resurgent capitalism of today. He says (and I'm quoting from the spanish translation): "The counterculture was never a rebellion against capitalism, but against social conservatism, which impeded the advance of capitalism". I don't share all his views and proposals, but he is an intelligent person that realizes how the exarcerbated individualism brought forward by the counterculture paved the way for the arrival of today's turbocapitalism. Hamilton correctly sees the problem of the west today as not one of poverty but one of abundance, which has left the place spiritually void. One think I would have like to have Hamilton discuss is how his proposal for zero economic growth would affect the third world, whose livelihood depends in many cases on commodities sold to the west.



5. 
   If you are wondering where infinite GDP growth is taking us then you should read this book.
   
   If you are wondering what infinite consumption is doing to us as a race then you should read this book.
   
   If you are wondering why the choice has gone out of politics as every party tries to seize the middle ground then you should read this book.
   
   If you are wondering why GDP seems to grow but your life doesn't get better then you should read this book.
   
   If you've ever wondered why we need thousands of hair care products which differ only in how they are marketed, you should read this book.
   
   Basically, you should read this book. Someone ran off with my copy, but I'll buy another. It really is that good. You'll find yourself picking it up again and again, and like Shakespeare you'll take something different away from it every time.

No comments about Alternative Routes to the Sustainable City: Austin, Curitiba, and Frankfurt.