Food and Water

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

The "Development Without Damage" series examines the effects of a burgeoning world population on the earth's resources, inequalities of access to resources, and damage to Earth from pollution and development; some possible solutions are explored. In Food and Water, students will learn about shortages (and malnutrition) caused by urbanization, overfishing, soil erosion, distribution problems, and loss of agricultural land. Also presented are advantages and disadvantages of experiments like plant technology (GMOs) and raising crops for biofuels; organic farming, for example, can result in lower yields and raise prices for citizens of poorer nations. With emphasis on sustainable solutions, one chapter discusses, among other ideas, a rice intensification system using less water and fewer chemicals, urban agriculture, reuse of water, and reducing food waste by growing just enough. Globalization and agricultural subsidies have brought new problems in food prices and distribution; fair trade policies and more attention to resources (like water and fuel) consumed in production and transportation are two innovations examined in a final chapter. Though each volume of this set is packed with information, the pages are made attractive with well-chosen color photos and an abundance of sidebars containing interesting details. The text is clear and useful for research and reports, but it is hard to imagine teens picking up these books just for browsing. For serious researchers, some appropriate books and websites are suggested, and the two-page glossary should prove helpful. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up–These books investigate the ways in which people use resources and how that usage impacts the environment and society. Chapters cover such topics as “The Global Housing Crisis” (Building Homes) and “Trade and Distribution” (Food and Water). Quotes from experts, case studies, and detailed facts are provided in sidebar entries. The authors provide a balanced perspective, clearly weighing the positives and negatives of resource usage. For example, in a chapter in Nature for People, a statistics-laden sidebar outlines the importance of tourism to developing countries, while the narrative discusses how visitors may cause grave damage to their surroundings. An excellent choice for environmental research projects.