| Glaciers melt before our eyes |
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Then again the folks in Svalbard ARE a bit ...ummm...different.
prisoner6
Top Customer Reviews Rating: 4 (out of 5) Summary: A review from a different perspective. . . Comment: I'd like to submit a different sort of review for this book. As a homeschooling parent, I am extremely concerned about making sure that my children have access to the best, most accurate information available. This includes, of course, controversial information. As such, "The Skeptical Environmentalist" should be considered a 'must-have' in the library of every high-school age homeschooling family.
The premise set forth by Dr. Lomborg, namely that he read some controversial information and decided to refute that information in a scholarly, academic fashion is precisely the sort of determination and drive for academic honesty which homeschooling parents are trying to instill. In Dr. Lomborg's case, he found that the 'controversial information' was largely (but not completely) accurate. Thus, he was forced to modify his own views -- again, an honest, academic response.
The actual subject matter in this book would also be of value to the home classroom. Dr. Lomborg tackles most of the significant environmental problems encountered in the world today, and addresses them in a fashion which is straight-forward. While I do not find myself in complete agreement with Dr. Lomborg, I find that his clarity of thought and presentation, as well as his copious references, an aid to forming intelligent and defensible positions.
Finally, the observant homeschooler will note the tenor of the opinions attacking Dr. Lomborg. These attacks tend to be ad hominim in character, politically divisive, and largely devoid of any cogent dissent or scientific merit. I have seen little -- even by scientific journals -- which challenge Dr. Lomborg strictly on the facts and information presented. Unfortunately, such tends to be the response of one who would dare to tread on a sacred cow of political correctness.
Overall, I would give this book a 3.5 for content, a 4 for presentation and documentation, and a 5 for its usefulness in a high-school homeschool setting.