books 23 - Wednesday, June 6, 1990 ~ North Shore News Books probe planetary pollution A few eons ago (or at least back in the early 1970s), B EING AN environmentalist today isn’t easy. pioneering econauts needed only to foreswear con- tributing to planetary demographics and curse CIL. A well- rounded environmentalist’s library demanded only two books back then: The Population Bomb and Silent Spring. They were simpler times. Well, the days 2f reality-free zones are over and we're all being called to judgment. Despite the claims of prime time theocrats with salvation in their mouths and blue chips in their portfolios, Armageddon may be a last-ditch battle by a species adept enough to have polluted itself into a corner on 2 round planet but may be not smart enough to have left itself some breathing roam. - The verdict isn’t in yet but survival looks dicey and the smart money’s on Venusian time-shares. Long the prerogative of comic- dom’s superheroes, the onus for rescuing the world from multifarious evils has fallen to us; in other words, the muck stops here — a point driven home in the MIKE STEELE book review first of five environmental titles we'll be looking at this week: Sav- ing The Earth. Saving The Earth (Random House; 306 pp.; $26.95) is a primer of pollution: its causes, its effects and the coriective actions that can and must he taken to avoid disaster. Authors Will Steger and Jon Bowermaster systematically tackle LET’S DO LUNCH major environmental problems such as global warming, ozone depletion, smog, acid rain, forest loss, garbage and hazardous wastes, energy consumption and overpopulation. With clear, non-technical descriptions, simple charts and il- lustrations, Saving The Earth offers a clear and methodical overview of the eco-chalienges we presently face. Aslightly more technical but no less laudable effort at describing the Big Picture of environmental dangers is Oxford's Planet Under Stress (344 pp.; $18.95), edited by Constance Mungall and Digby McLaren for the Roya! Society of Canada. Mungall, the fermer editor of GEOS, an earth sciences publica- tion, and Mciaren, president of the RSC, have consulted 33 recognized authorities on such topics as oceanography, meteo- rology, geology, Realty, botany and so on to furnish readers with scientific analyses of the planet's ecosystems and the ecological impact of humankind. For the 9th Annual Ambleside Reading Planet Under Stress is not unlike watching a gigantic jigsaw puzzle image taking shape as, well-explained and piece by piece, the parts which make up the ecological whole click logically into place. Admirably lucid in its style and approach, Planet Under Stress cannot be recommended too highly. If understanding the scope of environmental issues is the first step and the second is accepting responsibility, then the third might well be getting our own houses — and lifestyles — in order. Lorraine Johnson’s Green Future — How To Make A World of Dif- ference (Penguin; 231 99.; $14.95) is a, well, greenprint of individua) action that answers the question: what can | do to help? Green Future contains a wealth of statistical details and anecdotes to make the author’s point that we all play a part in the environmental drama. To this information she adds suggestions as to ways we can personally make a contribu- tion: recycling, composting, using safe alternatives to chemical con- ee Just so you know... — EVERY ton of newspaper recycled saves approximately 17 to 19 trees. The total amount of paper waste by Canadians each year equals 80 million trees. — Over 70 per cent less energy is needed to produce aluminum foil from recycled cans rather than from raw materials. — Every year, Americans throw away 16 billion disposable diapers, 1.6 billion pens, two billien razors and blades, 220 million tires and enough alumi- num to rebuild the entire U.S. commercial airline fleet every three months. — One hectare of rainforest weighs approximately 800 tons. When cleared it will allow for the production of approximately 20% kg of beef — or 1,600 ham- burgers. — Green Future coctions, exercising ‘consumer power’ to pressure retailers and manufacturers to stock and make only environmentally friendly products, choosing paper over plastic and more. Green Future has the charts, facts and figures you need to be both environmentally aware and effective. See Kids Page 24 Pitch & Putt Tournament The 1990 edition of the popular local tournament is set for Saturday, July 14. Sponsored by the North Shore News and Park Royal Shopping Centre, this tournament is open to all golfers, regardless of club affiliation or membership. Again this year, there are four divisions: Men, women, seniors and youth (16 years and under), each with plenty of prizes. Qualifying Rounds May be played on any day from Saturday, June 9, through Saturday, June 30. Place your score cards in the tournament box in the clubhouse. Entry fee Is the regular green fee ticket $5.00 (Seniors and youth — under 18, $2.75 — weekends $5.00) Finals Saturday, July 14, weather permitting. For information Call Ron Fitch, Tournament Director, at 921-7353 WITH MRS. MILLER hin WALL STREET “The best quality at fre} pest price 926-8922 aaa You can win! Gift Certificates, redeemable at stores in Park Royal, for the top three finishers in each of the four divisions. Trophies for the winners in each of the four divisions, men, women, seniors and youth, and for the winner overall. The Ambleside Pitch & Putt Tournament ParkRoyal = FRR ‘north shore SHOPPING CENTRE Sponsored by the North Shore News and Park Royal Shopping Centre Sanctioned by the West Vancouver Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Full House — Fox Family — CARL BRENDERS — Time limited edition, signed and numbered Print — “‘Best Price guaranteed” — 6 framed Fox Family prints on display — Metal frame special $129.00, wood frame special $189.00 Conservation framing, over 1,000 frame sarnples Phone for details —- Credit cards accepted on phone orders Open 10am weekdays, closed Sundays Wall Street Picture Framing Westview Shopping Center 983-3734 SUNDAY + WEDNESDAY + FRIDAY