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Where We Stand: A Surprising Look at the Real State of Our Planet

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Finally, a rational treatment of the state of the environment and the human condition. Humans continually rise to solve problems created by our actions, yet this receives little attention in the media. It's refreshing to find a resource so clear on the positive trends disregarded by others. Typically, the focus continues to be on the negative impact we've had on our environment, and this ignores the other side of the coin -- the encouraging side.

"Where We Stand" presents a unique prospective in demonstrating we are able to solve our environmental problems, and in fact, we have done so and continue to do so. The state of the planet is not hopeless, and if our past is any indication of our future, we will solve the problems we create with policy, technology, and effort. As discussed in the book, research and activism can provide the solutions we seek. We cannot, however, sit on our hands and wait for doomsday to arrive. These successes weren't sporadic; they were planned and implemented in democratic societies by scientist, activists, citizens, politicians and businesspersons. Many challenges have been met, but as pointed out in the sections of the book titled "The Bad News", it is obvious we still have a ways to go.

Using compelling data and a conversational writing style, the author documents numerous instances of successes in our history and the continual improvement of the environment and our health (in democratic nations, non-democratic nations have a different condition). I have a broad scientific background, yet was surprised by successes we've had on the environmental front discussed in the book that I've never heard of. For example, I knew we'd brought Bald Eagles back from the brink of extinction, yet I never realized that our air quality is actually improving.

The book itself is well organized, including 3 parts: the present, the past, and the future. Topics are presented in headed sections and indexed, which would make the book a useful resource. It's also a great read for anyone interested in the environment and/or public health. This volume is a great addition to my collection of scientific books, as it shows an optimistic view of "the state of our planet" without painting everything as roses. Highly recommended for those in the field, and those with any interest in the topic of the environment.

I had the pleasure of reading Dr. Garte's book a few months ago. Prior to encountering Dr. Garte, I was one of the many who were turned off and tuned out on environmental affairs, primarily due the to "sky is falling" hysteria of the media and extremist environmental types. Dr. Garte's book changed that. It is reasonable, balanced, accessible to the untrained lay reader, and yet full of careful research and detail to appeal to those of a more educated and scientific bent.

Where We Stand focuses not just on climate change issues, but the overall health of the planet and the population. Dr. Garte focuses on the history of the way the planet was, in environmental terms, prior to the first Earth day, and discusses the ways in which technology, legislation, public awareness, and democracy have brought about improvements in our conditions. This book is not just a rosy picture. At the end of each chapter is the "bad news", which points out the areas in each topic where improvements are still needed. An interesting, well-balanced read. I highly recommend it.

Seymour Garte has employed broad knowledge, unique experiences in science and life, and extensive research to make a really good book. It is written for a wide audience - scientists and non-scientists and those of all political persuasions. The dust jacket it says "His book is not intended to lull us into a false sense of security - it is meant to motivate us to keep going forward ..". The main message is that environmental action by people really does make a difference. The many very serious and urgent problems facing the planet are not ignored (e.g. rain forest destruction in the Amazaon, AIDS incidence in Africa, global warming), but one nevertheless comes away with some hope that there may be some way to resolve or ameliorate these problems.

I enjoyed reading "Where We Stand: A Surprising Look at the Real State of Our Planet". As a lay person, I wasn't sure I would fully comprehend the subject, but the author has made it easy to understand--and I haven't taken science since I dissected a formaldehyded pig in college.

At first glance, the book seemed very technical (each chapter has charts illustrating the ideas and evidence presented, usually simple line charts) but it was logically written and easy to follow. I tend to think I am informed well by the reading I do.... but not so! there is a lot of new information in here.

A very broad range of topics are covered but it was easy to pick up and read, not necessarily straight through. Each chapter has a list of sources at the end for further exploration; the reader isn't interrupted by frequent footnotes. Dr. Garte's experience and sensitivity informs his subject; though he is a renowned scientist, his writing isn't dry or cold; you can tell he cares deeply about the planet and its inhabitants. He has a historical perspective from his years of work and travel and makes observations without being pedantic or arrogant; I sense he thinks a great deal before concluding, leaving room for changes to theories when justified by new facts.

He is very optimistic, despite presenting bad news as well as the good. This balanced approach is refreshing. It is, for me, a new message, very different than the pervasive, almost constant alarm we get from many media and other sources, whether it is the "war on terror", global warming, or a predator next door. I am pretty sure I am not the only one who often feels worn down and drained of the will and momentum to work for improvements we still need to make. I hope that enough readers will find the book helpful and reassuring, and will get his message of the value of democratic, open societies. He proves they have worked through the will and action of the people: transforming sick communities into good or improving ones.

I recommend this book for everyone who is looking for some hope and some historical information about the planet and the environment. Dr. Garte is very convincing in his arguments that history shows we can solve most of the problems that arise. I felt very good after reading this book, but as the author states many times, there is still quite a lot that needs to be done. I agree with him that it is better to tackle these problems in a spirit of optimism and hope than in despair. I found the material easy to understand, and the writing style passionate and clear. This is a great book, that everyone should read.

I found this book to be a fair, objective and well researched look into the real state of our planet. Dr. Garte makes his case with his thorough research, practical experience and clear examples. Reading this book challenged my own position as a self proclaimed "tree hugger" and left me with a new realization that perhaps, things really are not as bad as hard core environmentalists would have us believe. Awareness has risen considerably in the last few decades, with many direct examples cited. Improvements have indeed been made in the way we look at global warming, our contributions to environmental pollutants and their long term and far reaching effects. After reading Dr. Garte's book, I am more hopeful regarding improvements that will continue to be made in how we treat and regulate our natural resources, and our planet.

Dr. Garte's book is what I have been waiting for. A non partisan, objective and scientific view of environmental history. This is a great, optimistic and uplifting book. He makes it clear that we have come a long way, and that we can overcome any hurdles that face us. It is full of facts and references, but also stories, and messages from the heart. I learned a lot from reading this book, and now I feel for the first time in years that everything might not be completely hopeless. Dr. Garte is not only convincing that things have gotten better all over the world, but he makes it clear that it is our own efforts, as environmentalists, that have worked to make these differences. The chapters on the environment in the old Soviet empire, and on the different world views were especially useful. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Read it, and you will be happy you did.

I think the best way to interpret this book is as a thank-you note to the people who have worked (and paid) for improvements we've seen in our environment. I don't agree with Dr. Garte on every issue, but I greatly appreciate his thoughtfulness and balanced approach to evaluating our current state. Sure, we'll always have work to do to clean things up, but why ignore the real progress that's been made? What a pleasure compared to the hysteria of doom-sayers trying to scare up support for their progressive ideas. Well done, Dr. Garte.

Ken Coffman is the author of Hartz String Theory and other novels.

This book does an adequate, competent job of countering the dominant opinion that the world is going to heck in a handbasket. The bottom line judgments are correct. But it is superficial throughout; it is not probing or subtle. And it makes several errors. So do read it if you fear that humanity is doomed and is utterly incapable of meeting any of the serious challenges it faces. If you already recognize that these fears are without foundation, you might want to spend your time in other ways.

There's an old saying that the negative bears repeating, and the positive is already taken care of. See Iraq for a current example of how this works.

Compared to the days when rivers in Ohio caught on fire we have made progress, however many problems not ony remain, but continue to escalate. Coal emissions from that very same state, and others continue to heat the planet and fill our fish stocks with mercury. I don't think that is cause for cheering. The review of our collective progress, is in my view, KPO: keen perception of the obvious. Most folks know this history, but that doesn't mean it doesn't bear repeating. By all means lets do.

The glitch in the good news thesis is the aforementioned denial, which is alive and well. Reinforcing a denialist claim of Gorian alarmism, is not the correct prescription. Al Gore is right. His critics are not. Sermons are not relative, or equal. This assessment from Dr. Garte will be co-opted by political opponents to proclaim everything is cool. It isn't. It's hot. There is much work to left to do. For humanity, and especially our wild relative ancestors, the drain has never been closer despite any progress, real or perceived. This is the take home message we need to convey on this Earth Day 2008.