Global Issues: An Introduction

by John L. Seitz

Book by Seitz, John L.

Genres: Nonfiction

328 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 1995

Reviews

[John Ferngrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is something that should be read by any young person that cares about the planet and everything living on it, including its terribly numerous people. I deduct a star because it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know or change my opinions on these urgent terribly matters. But then I am a world watcher of many years and regard keeping track of broad brush global issues as a part of a comprehensive worldview.

So, the book says in the first few pages that the reader is about to find out what is really going on in the world. It then examines various issues as a general chapter heading; population, food, energy, global warming. Each discussion presents statistics in well digested ways, so the reader doesn't have to work too hard to comprehend the present situation and the rates of change that bought us here. Corresponding forecasts based on different assumptions are also presented. Data sources such as various UN departments, the World Bank and so on, are given which should enable anyone who wants to stay abreast of this stuff to do so. Each chapter breaks down into a composite of good new and bad news, progressive, adaptive trends versus the less optimistic ones. The bad news for me is that it didn't give enough good news to offset my dark suspicions that the world is heading towards a prolonged period of catastrophe. By catastrophe I mean a year, possibly in my lifetime, definitely in my children's, when the world's population begins to stall and decline as it bumps into the final limits of human ingenuity at extracting far more out of the Earth than it is able sustainably to give.

An essential read for the young, concerned global citizen.

[Sabra · Rating 5 out of 5]

FABULOUS INTRODUCTION to the world, clearly addressing major issues involving it.

never would have thought it was a textbook..

[Erika Schoeps · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly interesting textbook that deals with modern global issues. But, beware of the liberal bias instituted throughout the text.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complex global issues explained in plain language. Good for those who want to update themselves on local issues without wading through a lot of technical jargon.