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Environmental economics and management: pollution and natural resources
of the current interest is based on hope and political pressures. In the first two chapters of the following section on the atmospheric sciences J. R. Dudeney develops the climatic theme, explaining the past and present climate of Antarctica. Not only is the Antarctic a unique laboratory for research, but it also plays a key role in the energy balance of the world although there are still many uncertainties concerning basic processes and linkages. The two subsequent chapters provide a detailed review of recent developments in upper atmosphere research following the stimulus of the IGY. By virtue of its unique location and the configuration of the geomagnetic field, Antarctica continues to play a central role in geospace studies. While much of the research is coordinated through large international collaborative projects, the importance of maintaining basic routine measurements should not be underestimated. In the final section, entitled ‘Confrontation or cooperation’, R. M. Laws considers the future prospects for science in the political framework of Antarctica. Recent research developments have been stimulated by four factors: the requirement of consultative parties to the treaty to maintain scientific programmes, the acquisition of basic scientific knowledge, strategic and applied research and the need to understand global environmental issues. The case for continued research is a strong one and Laws argues that this is best achieved by a continuation of the present arrangements under the Antarctic Treaty system, rather than through alternative proposals which have been raised, including a United Nations takeover or ‘World Park’ designation. Significantly he concludes that ‘there is no shortage of ideas, but the political arrangements must be right’. The book is well illustrated with many colour and black and white photographs and diagrams. Three appendices provide the text of the Antarctic Treaty, major symposia and conferences with which SCAR has been associated and a list of addresses of national organizations involved in Antarctic activities. In addition there is a select bibliography for the main sections of the book including references up to 1986. Anfarctic science provides an important perspective on the scientific developments of the past 25 years, many of which underpin key issues of global concern today. It is a clear testimony to the fruits of international collaboration. It is a very readable and well-presented account that complements the more specialized texts that have appeared in recent years on ecology, geosciences, resources, politics and legal issues and it provides a good basic overview of the role and global importance of Antarctic science. It should appeal not only to scientists and those directly involved in the Antarctic, but to all interested in global environmental questions and the contribution of the Antarctic to them. The scientists have shown what
can be achieved and pointed the way ahead. One hopes that politicians will read and benefit from it too. John Gordon Nature Conservancy
Council,
Peterborough
Fersund, F. R. and Str@m, S. Environmental economics and management:pollution and natural resources. London: Croom Helm, 1988. 307 pp. f35 hardback. ‘The main themes of this book are pollution and other external effects, and natural resources; its main aim is to establish the subjects mentioned within the standard setting of economic analysis’ (p. 3). Thus this work is based on a neoclassical approach to environmental problems, demonstrating the analytical strengths of that approach, particularly in its mathematical formulations, but also the narrowness of its restrictive assumptions and focus. ‘The principal economic solution to problems involving indirect effects as applied to problems of pollution may be briefly said to involve the following: -finding the prices for waste disposal services corresponding to the social marginal costs, measured in terms of alternative use of the natural environment to supply us with extractive and amenity services; -establishing systems whereby the decision making body take these prices into account’ (p. 31). Although the concluding sections of the book deal with fisheries and non-renewable resources, the greater part of the text is concerned with the theoretical implications of the objectives identified in the foregoing quotation. The authors take care to distance themselves from ‘the green movement’ (surf-riders on waves of fashionable concern) and the deep ecologists, making clear their interest in the identification of preferred trade-offs between material production and environmental quality. However they show a good appreciation of environmental processes, together with a sense of the urgency of appropriate and adequately informed environmental decisionmaking. The environment is taken as the source of three kinds of service-a reservoir for wastes, a provider of materials and an amenity-and much of the text explores welfare maximization under constraints imposed by demands for these conflicting services. Environmental management is seen as a particular problem for the affluent societies and little attention is given to the environmental degradation in poverty-stricken societies. Prices incorporating damage costs are favoured as the means of achieving optimal solutions and there is a useful discussion of charging systems operating in Germany, France and the Netherlands. Static pollution models, uncertainty, long-term
14
Book reviews
problems, and irreversibility are treated to extensive analysis and in general the work is long on theory but short on empirical results and methods to put the theories into practice. This is probably more due to research funding policies, than a reflection on the proclivities of the authors. We must welcome economists taking a serious interest in environmental problems, although what we have on offer here is a work that will primarily be for other economists. Jim Butterfield Carnegie Department Leeds Polytechnic
of PE and Leisure Studies,
Ruddle, K. and Zhong Gongfu. Integrated agriculture-aquaculture in South China: the dikepond system of the Zhujiang Delta. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. 173 pp. f27.50 hardback. The mulberry dike-pond (sangji yutang) system, while being comparable in certain aspects to agricultureeaquaculture systems found elsewhere, is uniquely Chinese and operates on its greatest geographical scale and most integrated fashion in the Zhujiang (Pearl River) Delta of Guangdong Province, southeast China. The system is based on intensive interaction between ponds in which carp and other fish are raised; dikes upon which are planted mulberry trees, grasses, vegetables, sugar cane, and bananas; silkworm and pig raising; and use of human labour and wastes. The authors of this book did their research in Leliu, Shunde County, in the central area of the Zhujiang Delta between mid-1980 and 1983. Thus the field research, undertaken with the help of the Guangzhou Institute of Geography, spans the period from the beginning of the demise of the commune structure to the beginning of household responsibility contracting in rural China. The opening of China, accompanied by the introduction of household responsibility contracts, has led to greater linkages with external markets and greater variations amongst households to use their capital. This change is also reflected in this case study. In the authors’ own words this book is ‘an attempt to improve the scientific understanding of integrated systems by providing a detailed case study of the dike-pond system of the Zhujiang Delta, particularly in terms of its historical aquacultural development, agricultural and elements, energy flow, labour requirements and household economics’ (p. 11). In the first chapter, the evolution of the dike-pond system in the Zhujiang area is briefly described along with its post-1950 dissemination in Guangdong. The dike, the pond, and their interaction are described in three successive chapters. The various interlocking
and intensive energy flows give the Zhujiang Delta one of the highest yields of fish, mulberry leaves, silkworm cocoons and sugar cane found in China. Increased energy inputs in one part of the system benefit other parts. Moreover, the authors conclude that there is very little pollution of neighbouring areas as most wastes are recycled. Chapters 5 and 6 look at the organization of labour and capital. First there is an analysis of labour inputs based on a production team during 1981. The authors demonstrate that there was a labour surplus and suggest that the new household responsibility contracting initiated in 1982 gave greater flexibilitv to adiust details of labour within and outside of the system. Then based on interviews with four households during 1983, there is an attempt to analyse the impact of newly established household responsibility contracts on the dikepond system. The authors’ conclusion is that despite some problems with the pond-dike system, whether run by communes or households, many wet lowland areas in Guangdong could benefit economically by adopting this unique form of land use. Certain aspects of the system, however, might render it culturally unacceptable in other countries. The book clearly does most of what it set out to do. The authors have tried to demonstrate the efficiency and strong points of the pond-dike system and present concrete examples of ways in which the system might be improved. They are careful to point out the possible negative consequences of their own suggestions. Moreover, in a period of rapid change in rural China, this monograph has attempted to be as up to date as can be expected. Perhaps some readers will find the writing style and the details concerning scientific measurements and statistics a bit dry. However, on persevering they will find this book an excellent reference on the most intensive agriculture-aquaculture system known to man. Richard Louis Edmonds School of Oriental and African of London
Studies,
University
Beaumont, P., Blake, G. H. and Wagstaff, J. M. The Middle East: a geographical study (2nd ed.). London: David Fulton, 1988. 623 pp. f16.95 paperback. This is the second edition, fully revised but in the same format, of Wiley’s first edition of 1976. The Middle East is defined as the Arabian Peninsula together with its neighbouring states, including Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the two North African states of Egypt and Libya. The book consists of an introduction followed by 21 other chapters: 10 of these deal with aspects of systematic geography and 10 with regions within the Middle East. The concluding
can be achieved and pointed the way ahead. One hopes that politicians will read and benefit from it too. John Gordon Nature Conservancy
Council,
Peterborough
Fersund, F. R. and Str@m, S. Environmental economics and management:pollution and natural resources. London: Croom Helm, 1988. 307 pp. f35 hardback. ‘The main themes of this book are pollution and other external effects, and natural resources; its main aim is to establish the subjects mentioned within the standard setting of economic analysis’ (p. 3). Thus this work is based on a neoclassical approach to environmental problems, demonstrating the analytical strengths of that approach, particularly in its mathematical formulations, but also the narrowness of its restrictive assumptions and focus. ‘The principal economic solution to problems involving indirect effects as applied to problems of pollution may be briefly said to involve the following: -finding the prices for waste disposal services corresponding to the social marginal costs, measured in terms of alternative use of the natural environment to supply us with extractive and amenity services; -establishing systems whereby the decision making body take these prices into account’ (p. 31). Although the concluding sections of the book deal with fisheries and non-renewable resources, the greater part of the text is concerned with the theoretical implications of the objectives identified in the foregoing quotation. The authors take care to distance themselves from ‘the green movement’ (surf-riders on waves of fashionable concern) and the deep ecologists, making clear their interest in the identification of preferred trade-offs between material production and environmental quality. However they show a good appreciation of environmental processes, together with a sense of the urgency of appropriate and adequately informed environmental decisionmaking. The environment is taken as the source of three kinds of service-a reservoir for wastes, a provider of materials and an amenity-and much of the text explores welfare maximization under constraints imposed by demands for these conflicting services. Environmental management is seen as a particular problem for the affluent societies and little attention is given to the environmental degradation in poverty-stricken societies. Prices incorporating damage costs are favoured as the means of achieving optimal solutions and there is a useful discussion of charging systems operating in Germany, France and the Netherlands. Static pollution models, uncertainty, long-term
14
Book reviews
problems, and irreversibility are treated to extensive analysis and in general the work is long on theory but short on empirical results and methods to put the theories into practice. This is probably more due to research funding policies, than a reflection on the proclivities of the authors. We must welcome economists taking a serious interest in environmental problems, although what we have on offer here is a work that will primarily be for other economists. Jim Butterfield Carnegie Department Leeds Polytechnic
of PE and Leisure Studies,
Ruddle, K. and Zhong Gongfu. Integrated agriculture-aquaculture in South China: the dikepond system of the Zhujiang Delta. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. 173 pp. f27.50 hardback. The mulberry dike-pond (sangji yutang) system, while being comparable in certain aspects to agricultureeaquaculture systems found elsewhere, is uniquely Chinese and operates on its greatest geographical scale and most integrated fashion in the Zhujiang (Pearl River) Delta of Guangdong Province, southeast China. The system is based on intensive interaction between ponds in which carp and other fish are raised; dikes upon which are planted mulberry trees, grasses, vegetables, sugar cane, and bananas; silkworm and pig raising; and use of human labour and wastes. The authors of this book did their research in Leliu, Shunde County, in the central area of the Zhujiang Delta between mid-1980 and 1983. Thus the field research, undertaken with the help of the Guangzhou Institute of Geography, spans the period from the beginning of the demise of the commune structure to the beginning of household responsibility contracting in rural China. The opening of China, accompanied by the introduction of household responsibility contracts, has led to greater linkages with external markets and greater variations amongst households to use their capital. This change is also reflected in this case study. In the authors’ own words this book is ‘an attempt to improve the scientific understanding of integrated systems by providing a detailed case study of the dike-pond system of the Zhujiang Delta, particularly in terms of its historical aquacultural development, agricultural and elements, energy flow, labour requirements and household economics’ (p. 11). In the first chapter, the evolution of the dike-pond system in the Zhujiang area is briefly described along with its post-1950 dissemination in Guangdong. The dike, the pond, and their interaction are described in three successive chapters. The various interlocking
and intensive energy flows give the Zhujiang Delta one of the highest yields of fish, mulberry leaves, silkworm cocoons and sugar cane found in China. Increased energy inputs in one part of the system benefit other parts. Moreover, the authors conclude that there is very little pollution of neighbouring areas as most wastes are recycled. Chapters 5 and 6 look at the organization of labour and capital. First there is an analysis of labour inputs based on a production team during 1981. The authors demonstrate that there was a labour surplus and suggest that the new household responsibility contracting initiated in 1982 gave greater flexibilitv to adiust details of labour within and outside of the system. Then based on interviews with four households during 1983, there is an attempt to analyse the impact of newly established household responsibility contracts on the dikepond system. The authors’ conclusion is that despite some problems with the pond-dike system, whether run by communes or households, many wet lowland areas in Guangdong could benefit economically by adopting this unique form of land use. Certain aspects of the system, however, might render it culturally unacceptable in other countries. The book clearly does most of what it set out to do. The authors have tried to demonstrate the efficiency and strong points of the pond-dike system and present concrete examples of ways in which the system might be improved. They are careful to point out the possible negative consequences of their own suggestions. Moreover, in a period of rapid change in rural China, this monograph has attempted to be as up to date as can be expected. Perhaps some readers will find the writing style and the details concerning scientific measurements and statistics a bit dry. However, on persevering they will find this book an excellent reference on the most intensive agriculture-aquaculture system known to man. Richard Louis Edmonds School of Oriental and African of London
Studies,
University
Beaumont, P., Blake, G. H. and Wagstaff, J. M. The Middle East: a geographical study (2nd ed.). London: David Fulton, 1988. 623 pp. f16.95 paperback. This is the second edition, fully revised but in the same format, of Wiley’s first edition of 1976. The Middle East is defined as the Arabian Peninsula together with its neighbouring states, including Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the two North African states of Egypt and Libya. The book consists of an introduction followed by 21 other chapters: 10 of these deal with aspects of systematic geography and 10 with regions within the Middle East. The concluding