A Review of The State of the World 2004: The Consumer Society by Allen Croasdill
Rating: 5 Stars (Excellent)
In "State Of The World 2004",the Worldwatch Istitute stays focused on whats important and why. It's well organized and easy to understand. Each objective report(chapter)made good use of statistical data for regional comparisons. The Instite appears to be a good,unbiased research resource.
Submitted on 9:49 PM on 12/11/04
A Review of The State of the World 2004: The Consumer Society by Beth Carpenter
Rating: 5 Stars (Excellent)
The State of the World is a sobering account of our global resources and on-going or potential impacts to them. It is sometimes hard to read as the facts are real and almost have an “in-your-face” feel – as the reader realizes that we all contribute to the problem. So now that we have been informed, it is our decision to contribute toward the many solutions or to turn a blind-eye.
I highly recommend this book to all.
Submitted on 11:18 AM on 12/10/04
A Review of The State of the World 2004: The Consumer Society by Josef Gardener
Rating: 5 Stars (Excellent)
State of The World 2004: The Consumer Society. The World Watch Institute.
Upon opening this book for the first time, well before conception of the environmental science course, The Impact of Consumption- An Environmental Science Seminar I didn’t anticipate the profound effect that this book would have on me. Having completed Environmental Science 204, I was aware of the issue of over consumption, yet I was amazed at the complexities of the issue presented by this book.
Aimed at audiences ranging from the curious to those seeking factual basis for cultural, societal and policy reform, The Consumer Society offers a thorough analysis of recent consumption patterns, current statistics, policies and innovations directed at preserving the resources (both human and material) found on Earth. The quality of writing and the extensive citations from reputable and objective sources creates a seamless survey of the negative effects and possible outcomes of our current trajectory with regards to consumption. By avoiding the goal of being a comprehensive manuscript and offering an overview of salient points, individuals gain the perspective necessary to apply generalizations to individual cases and synthesize links beyond the scope of the book. This book stands as document of considerable importance while conveying the idea that there is still much we don’t know about the actual impacts of consumption.
The inclusion of thirteen authors doesn’t detract from the flow or consistency of the book and adds to the depth of the subject chapters, and lends an air of collaboration. This is critical, since it is collaboration amongst all people that will help humans better understand, prepare for and deal with the inevitable difficulties that arise from over consumption. The information presented leads concerned individuals in the direction of the most sustainable practices available on the market.
I would recommend this title to anyone who, desires to understand the consequences of their own actions, hopes to gain insights into the future of life on Earth, or simply seeks to discover the origins and inputs of the products they purchase.
Submitted on 9:45 AM on 12/10/04
A Review of The State of the World 2004: The Consumer Society by Bang Nguyen
Rating: 5 Stars (Excellent)
The title is apt for a general survey of our condition. Information from the general to specific cases was shared by contributing co-authors to really allow for expertise and different voices. I found the material a quick and easily digestable read with maintaining breakdowns by subjects every other page, wrapping up with interesting case examples at the end of each chapter and supporting bibliography notes in the back of the book by their chapters that are easy to track and research deeper. If it can keep fresh subjects for each year and in the quarterly, I would recommend this for everyone to regularly stay updated on the state of the world.
Submitted on 6:51 AM on 12/10/04
A Review of The State of the World 2004: The Consumer Society by Bang Nguyen
Rating: 5 Stars (Excellent)
The title is apt for a general survey of our condition. Information from the general to specific cases was shared by contributing co-authors to really allow for expertise and different voices. I found the material a quick and easily digestable read with maintaining breakdowns by subjects every other page, wrapping up with interesting case examples at the end of each chapter and supporting bibliography notes in the back of the book by their chapters that are easy to track and research deeper. If it can keep fresh subjects for each year and in the quarterly, I would recommend this for everyone to regularly stay updated on the state of the world.
Submitted on 6:49 AM on 12/10/04
A Review of The State of the World 2004: The Consumer Society by Katherine Winkler Low
Rating: 4 Stars (Good)
This book was a true eye-opener. Previous knowledge of and experience with environmental issues proved to be good preparation for understanding the facts and concepts presented. The initial chapters were intriguing and disheartening at the same time. The depth and breadth of human disregard for the earth we inhabit is incredible; even more shocking the reluctance to change our behavior to remedy the mess.
There were two troubling aspects to this book. First, due to a variety of authors, many facts, concepts and stories were repeated throughout the text, decreasing my enthusiasm for the material. Second, there were times while reading that I wondered if all relevant facts were being presented or just those to support the authors viewpoint. Were all sides to each issue adequately covered or was it one-sided? Only further research on my part will answer these concerns.
I would recommend this publication as a good starting point for serious environmental students and activists.
Submitted on 8:41 PM on 12/7/04
A Review of The State of the World 2004: The Consumer Society by Ming Qin
Rating: 4 Stars (Good)
"The State of the World" is a good textbook. i gave it 4 Stars. i have been acknowledged from this book. it is not only give me more specific examples about what is real going on in our world today but also educated me about what kind of effects that our consumptions will bring to us in the future. The book have gave me a new imagine of consumption, and I have took a new different vision on consumption now. After I read the book, I realized recycle and education are two important ways to persuade people to reconsider their ways on consumption. Human being will face more issues that have caused by consumption as the world population is continuing growing. And the ealier we start to consider about the consumption issues, the better chance we can solve the problems in the future.
Submitted on 4:51 PM on 12/6/04
A Review of The State of the World 2004: The Consumer Society by Sheena Sokolowski
Rating: 5 Stars (Excellent)
I give the State of the World 2004 a five star rating. The book really opened my eyes to what is going on not only around me locally but in a global perspective. It was very well researched and provided lots of evidence to back up its information. The book was very interesting to read and broadened my perception of consumerism. I was very shocked at the horrifying truth on what is going wrong with the world today. I never knew how much we are affected by what we consume. I learned so much about how other nations are dealing with pollution and other detrimental factors of their societies. It was very easy to read and understand and I would recommend this book to anyone because this is the truth we need to hear that everyone has been ignoring.
Submitted on 2:17 PM on 12/6/04
A Review of The State of the World 2004: The Consumer Society by Rebecca Chaney
Rating: 5 Stars (Excellent)
By focusing on consumerism, this book addresses the practices of our current society and the impacts those practices will have on future societies. It provides easily comprehended summaries of factual data that allows readers to consider the issues of global consumption from their own individual perspective and from their particular societal perspective as well.
Throughout the book examples are given of individual and community practices that affect consumerism and global health for better or worse. Examples of consumer trends which illustrate how individual members of societies of abundance are willing to make choices based on their perceptions of global health (such as sharing cars or buying organic food) are included, as are examples of communities, companies, and governments that are attempting to move toward more sustainable production policies. The scope of the book is broad, well-indexed, and documented enabling opportunities for follow up research on material of interest. Additionally, the writers reach for an inclusive approach to personal and global well-being by emphasizing the inherent sociability of the human species and the need for solutions that are not just environmentally responsible but are globally equitable as well.
Submitted on 4:36 PM on 12/4/04
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