The Green Encyclopedia

From The Critics

Described as a "comprehensive guide to the issues, dangers, endangered species and endangered places, environmental disasters, people, philosophies, works, laws and treaties that most concern environmentally minded people," this is a source for all ages, from the middle school child to his grandparent, and for the activist to the ordinary citizen. Franck and Brownstone are prolific compilers of popular reference works, including "The Parent's Desk Reference" ["RBB" Ag 91] Among the more than 1,000 entries are brief biographies of famous environmentalists, specific animals, organizations and government agencies, specific pesticides, and parks and wildlife preserves. Coverage is international, including the 1984 Bhopal disaster and the Bikini evacuation in 1946. Each entry is succinctly written, with internal cross-references in small capital letters. For example, the 350-word entry "Ecosystem" lists 15 cross-references, including "Food Chain", "Nitrogen Cycle", "Ecological Succession", and "Realms and Ecosystem Diversity". The most useful features of this book are the lists of concerned organizations and governmental agencies following many entries. For example, the entry "Glen Canyon Dam" provides a telephone number for Earth First! and notes its circulating movie on the dam. In addition, the Friends of the River and the National Parks and Conservation Association are listed with their telephone numbers. Separately boxed "Information and Action Guides" with extensive lists of organizations follow major issues. In addition to providing telephone numbers, these list publications from the organizations A "Special Information Section" in the last quarter of the book gives more sources of detailed information on animal rights and ecotourism. There are also lists of endangered and threatened animals and plants, toxic chemicals, Biosphere Reserves and World Natural Heritage Sites, superfund sites, and key U.S. laws on the environment. "The Green Bookshelf," another appendix, is an excellent source for collection development, and the "Environmental Alphabet" assists in chasing down the various acronyms and abbreviations associated with these topics "The Encyclopedia of Environmental Studies" ["RBB" Ja 15 92] is similar in terms of the topics covered but is not as oriented to action as is "The Green Encyclopedia" with its lists of contacts. A good inexpensive source for the public or school library, "The Green Encyclopedia" answers the question "Where can I find someone who is concerned about . . .?"