Where We Stand

I received a preview copy of "Where We Stand: A Surprising Look at the Real State of Our Planet" by Seymour Garte, Ph.D. and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Unlike other books about the environment and how we're apparently the #1 cause of its ruination, Dr. Garte takes a look at how we've improved, where we really stand and how we're doing. No, Garte is not refuting that we're damaging the planet, but he does point out where we've made vast improvements.

In his own words, Dr. Garte gives his reasoning for writing this book: "I realized that there is a pervasive attitude in this country among educated and liberal-minded people that nothing has ever gotten better, that technology is just plain evil, and that we are on an irreversible slope towards destruction." He goes on to say that this attitude is so pervasive that even normally thoughtful, educated professors and scientists will forget the real facts and make absurd statements based on nothing.

This book covers many aspects of the environment of the world and how we are affecting it, how those affects are being fixed now, and where we seem to be going in terms of continuing to fix it in the future. While he does point out the "bad news," the book is mostly about Dr. Garte's upbeat view of how well we're doing. Something all of us can appreciate given the daily doom-and-gloom reports we see.

Dr. Garte does a very good job of spelling out where we're doing well, how we've failed, and what we can continue to do to improve. This book is a testament to the academics and good attitude of Dr. Garte, a professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. Hopefully, by reading it, everyone can learn something, whatever your personal or political views on the subject. I highly recommend this book!