Global warming is currently one of the greatest threats to the future security of human society. Green house gas emissions resulting from human activities are substantially increasing the atmospheric concentrations of the green house gases, carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons and nitrous oxide. These increases will enhance the greenhouse effect, resulting on average in an additional warming of the earth's surface. However in 1998, A. Atiq Rahman, Nick Robins and Annie Roncerel has been published a book from University Press Limited.

This book deals with climate change, population and consumption, population dynamics in South Asia, population climate interactions in South Asia, energy policy in Chile, impacts of climate change and sustainable climate policy. It also discusses agriculture and forestry in Brazil, Peru, Shahel region, Southeast Asia and China; natural terrestrial ecosystems; hydrology and water resources; water table; hydro meteorological impacts; human settlements; energy, transport and industrial sectors.

Authors mention the emergence of critical environmental problems such as climate change and ozone depletion has formed the largely moralistic debate about affluence in the developed world into a survival issue for the planet; poverty and environment including access to health services; access to safe water; access to sanitation; illiterate adults - malnourished children under five; children dying before age five.

Researchers in this book explain patterns of energy consumption in Belgium, Brazil, Japan, Srilanka, Spain, Yugoslavia, and Greece; green house gas emissions in South Asian countries; Human development index in Uruguay, Chile, Costarica, Brazil, Paraguay, Cuba, Colombia and Bolivia.

Writers point out the food (cereals, milk, meat); forest (paper, sawan wood); Industrial ( fertilizers, cement, cotton, wool and fabrics); metals ( copper, iron, steel and aluminum); chemicals ( inorganic and inorganic); fuel and electricity ( solid, liquid gas, elasticity); transport ( cars, commercial vehicles); Global CO2 5723 MMT.

In general, with the rise of population the need for food, clothes and shelter are also rising. With the increase of young population and their needs, quest for better jobs and movement is towards the cities, which are now overcrowded and densely populated. With urbanization industries and factories are also increasing, which is again followed by air, water, soil and sound pollution. As population increases, pollution increases. We are losing the greenery. Due to cutting down trees to fulfill the demand of rising population and for the industries, farmers are losing their farms and jobs due to pollution created by factories and also as they want to move into cities for better paid jobs, which might lead to a worse situation. Global warming is increasing which is not only affecting human beings but all the living creatures in world. Due to deforestation animals are losing their homes of those are on their way to becoming extinct.

Authors figure out the world environment and natural resources, income and consumption levels, population growth, poverty/debt, urban settlements, public or common lands, trade protectionism and population impacts on environment.

Finally, this book is an insightful towards understanding the ecosystems, consumption and population growth and global thoughts on risk management. This book will stimulate further thinking, awareness and action among the people who are struggling day and night for sustainable development.

Reviewed By Shishir Reza Environmental Analyst and Associate Member, Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA).