On the Edge

March 30, 2015
In this report prepared for the Club of Rome, a think tank that analyzes major world problems, Martin aims to combat ârainforest fatigue" brought on by decades of conservation advocacy and the ascendance of climate change as a global concern. In nine chapters, he synthesizes decades of scientific literature on the state of the world's rainforests and assesses conservation efforts. With input from specialists, Martin also covers issues such as forest monitoring trends, causes of deforestation, and biodiversity. During much of the 20th century, the rainforests fell prey to the resource-hungry, global economic paradigm of infinite growth. Since the 1970s, conservation efforts have yielded impressive results, but the assault on the rainforests, largely fueled by palm oil expansion and the need for livestock pastures, continues. Martin calls for further action via âcomprehensive forest conservation concepts that build on ecosystem persistence and resilience." His book is an impassioned argument backed by scientific data that is geared toward an educated general readership. Anyone interested in the fate of the rainforestsâand the worldâshould check it out.