Overview
Environmentalism is one of the most powerful social revolutions of the twentieth century. It has affected our legal and educational systems, the economy, politics—and our day-to-day lives. And it will continue to promote change in the new millennium.Noted science writer Laurence Pringle examines this extraordinary force. He traces the movement's evolution from its grassroots beginning in seventeenth-century New England town meetings to its present-day focus on global issues. He describes the key events and concerns that have shaped it and tells how writers, thinkers, scientists, politicians, and ordinary people have played major roles through the years. Finally, he looks forward to a new century, discussing some of the challenges that must be faced and overcome in the years ahead.
Informative and thought provoking, The Environmental Movement is important reading for everyone who cares about our planet.
Books for the Teen Age 2001 (NYPL)
About the Author
Laurence Pringle, whom the Chicago Tribune calls "one of America's top nonfiction writers for young readers," concentrates mainly on biological and environmental subjects. He is the highly acclaimed author of over ninety books for young people, among them Smoking: A Risky Business and Vanishing Ozone. Laurence Pringle is the recipient of two major awards for his body of writing—the Eva L. Gordon Award for Children's Science Literature and the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award. He lives in West Nyack, New York.
Laurence Pringle grew up in farm country near Rochester, New York. For four years he attended a one-room school(one teacher with grades one through eight!). He spent many hours alone outdoors and to this day feels at home in the wild and a kinship with nature.
Larry studied wildlife ecology at Cornell University and later earned a master's degree in the same subject at the University of Massachusetts. He began a doctoral program in forest ecology at Syracuse University but then switched to journalism. He began to write articles that were published in nature and outdoor magazines.
A turning point came in 1963. After teaching science for a year, and after taking more journalism courses, Larry became an editor of Nature and Science, a new children's science magazine, published at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
"We had a small staff," he recalls, "and I learned a lot about writing, editing, and picture research. I also learned that my science background and curiosity about nature could be put to good use in children's magazines and books."
His first book, Dinosaurs and Their World, was published in 1968. He became a full-time freelance writer and photographer in 1970. Since then he has had numerous articles and photographs published, but concentrates on writing nonfiction for young people.
Today Larry is the highly respected author of nearly eighty books. His titles include fictional picture books and an inspiring and funny book about human error (The, Earth Is Flat and Other Great Mistakes), but his books are mostly about wildlife, ecology, and natural-resource issues.
Many of them, including Death Is Natural and Living Treasure: Saving Earth's Threatened Biodiversity, have been named NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children. In recognition of his work, Larry has received a Special Conservation Award from the National wildlife Federation and the 1983 Eva L. Gordon Award for Children's Science Literature.
Chronicles the history, key players, and future challenges of the environmental movement.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Urban sprawl, acid rain, ozone layer, food chain, and biodiversity are but a few of the newly coined terms of the 20th century. In a concise and comprehensive history, this award-winning author has created a resource that explores the relationship between humans and nature. The beautifully written text is so informative and well written that it is sure to hook kids. From the Native Americans, to the establishment of an official Earth Day, to comments about what lies ahead, the issues raised are thought provoking. The book includes the work of early activists such as Henry David Thoreau, George Perkins Marsh, Aldo Leopold, and Rachel Carson. Theodore Roosevelt is credited as the conservation president with his protection of wildlife refuges and national monuments such as the Grand Canyon. Through "green education" even children have been instrumental as protectors of nature. Their impact on parents and politicians has lead to recycling efforts. Black-and-white photographs help to detail one of the most powerful social revolutions of recent history. If one cares about the planet and is willing to face upcoming challenges, this book should be on your reading list. 2000, Harper Collins, $16.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Laura HummelVOYA
Environmentalism is a social movement that affects everyone. It impacts politics, the economy, education, and the law. The key element of environmentalism is change—changing the way people think about the world they inhabit and changing the actions they take to preserve it. In succinct fashion, the author charts the course of the environmental movement from its roots to the problems that need to be addressed in the new millenium. From its beginnings, environmentalism has been shepherded by visionaries. The roster of pioneers is impressive: Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, Gifford Pinchot, Aldo Leopold, and Rachel Carson. In addition to delineating their achievements, the book takes note of some villains, mentioning most prominently former president Ronald Reagan and his first Secretary of the Interior, James Watt. Major threats to the environment outlined are the destruction of the rain forests, the vanishing ozone layer, urban sprawl, global warming, toxic waste, and pollution. Other topics covered are Earth Day, Greenpeace, recycling, the Sierra Club, the Endangered Species Act, and the Northern spotted owl. This title is a concise, comprehensive history of a dynamic revolution. With many black-and-white photographs and lists of environmental groups and government agencies, it is a superb resource for research on the subject by a highly acclaimed writer of nonfiction for young adults. Glossary. Index. Illus. Photos. Further Reading. Appendix. VOYA CODES: 5Q 2P M J S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High,defined as grades 10 to 12). 2000, HarperCollins, 144p, $16.95. Ages 12 to 18. Reviewer: Randy BroughSOURCE: VOYA, October 2000 (Vol. 23, No. 4)