AIR ALERT: Rescuing Earth's Atmosphere

Discusses the earth's atmosphere, air pollution, the greenhouse effect, and the theory of global warming

Grade 7 Up?In a companion to their other books on threats to the Earth, Miller and Berry objectively analyze the effects of smog, acid rain, and the thinning ozone layer, and present ways to ameliorate these human-caused problems. Without presuming that readers have a lot of background knowledge, they strike an excellent balance between basic explanations and interesting technical information (e.g., how CFCs harm the ozone layer). In the chapter on human efforts to address pollution, they quote both President Bush and a Democratic congressperson and avoid politically controversial characterizations, making the difficulties seem mostly technical. Much of the basic information is available elsewhere. The authors include a well-done glossary and a wide-ranging list of concerned organizations. The typeface is quite readable, and the black-and-white photographs are relevant and well captioned. Nevertheless, the treatment is verbal rather than graphic, which may limit its appeal. Kathlyn Gay's Air Pollution (Watts, 1991) presents much more material on possibilities for individual action, as well as more insight into the political struggles involved, and Edward Edelson's Clean Air (Chelsea, 1992) is a bit more colorfully written. Miller and Berry's update will supplement, but not supersede, those titles.?Jonathan Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Edmonds, WA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5^-9. A clearly and simply written overview of such atmospheric problems as smog and acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and the depletion of the ozone layer. Each problem is covered in one chapter, which includes clear definitions and discussions of the problem's causes and consequences. The last chapter explores the ongoing efforts of scientists to find renewable sources of energy that do not pollute the atmosphere (e.g., electric vehicles and recycled products). Enhanced by detailed scientific explanations and useful graphs, this account sends an important environmental message to YAs. A glossary and suggestions for further reading are included. Susan DeRonne