A Force For Nature; The Story of NRDC and the Fight to Save Our Planet
San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2010. Second printing [stated]. Hardcover. 400 pages. Illustrations. Timeline of NRDC and the Modern Environmental Movement. Index. Inscriptions signed by both authors on half-title page. Foreword by Robert Redford. DJ has slight wear and soiling. John H. Adams was a Winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Natural Resources Defense Council is considered a Big Green environmental group, one of the largest and most prominent in the world. NRDC describes itself "the nation's most effective environmental action organization. We use law, science and the support of more than 1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. Worth Magazine has named NRDC one of America's 100 best charities, and Charity Navigator has given NRDC four stars (out of a possible four)." It was founded by Michael A. McIntosh, Sr. As one of the largest environmental groups, NRDC has often been singled out for criticism by industry funded groups such as the Center for Consumer Freedom. John H. Adams was the Founding Director and former President. Derived from a Kirkus Review: The 40-year history of the National Resources Defense Council. The authors write from the perspective of John Adams, the co-founder and longtime president. The book is primarily an institutional history filled with insider details. The organization began as a group of lawyers suing to enforce environmental laws, so effectively that they nicknamed themselves “the shadow EPA.” With time their approach broadened, primarily because of political leaders hostile to environmentalism, who come in for criticism here. The authors repeatedly emphasize the successes that came from negotiating with adversaries, building a membership to provide public pressure and showing companies how environmentally friendly practices can be in their financial interest. The issues of concern to NRDC expanded beyond the original focus on “clean water, clean air, a sustainable environment, and the preservation of America’s unique wilderness.” They were instrumental in setting up nuclear-test monitoring stations in the United States and Soviet Union with an eye to promoting disarmament. The narrative is never dry or repetitive. The authors insist that what “NRDC and the environmental movement ultimately will be remembered for is what we did to deal with the climate crisis.” Some environmentalists have called the authors too optimistic about the eventual resolution of the issue. The book begins with a foreword by Robert Redford, one of the many celebrities mentioned as major NRDC supporters. An upbeat but necessary story of an important environmental organization. Condition: Very good / Very good.
Keywords: NRDC, National Resources Defense Council, Environmentalism, Frances Beinecke, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Environmental Protection, Nuclear Power, Nuclear Weapons, Pataki, Pesticides, Gus Speth
ISBN: 9780811877930
[Book #74169]
Price: $65.00