I turned to the eco-tourism folks at Planeta for inspiration on today’s book suggestion. Although not specifically a travel book, this collection of ecologically-minded maps reinforces an important point we travelers must be mindful of as we move through the world — this great vessel that feeds all our passion for global exploration is seriously threatened — often by our very own desire for adventure and the means we use to fuel our travels.
The Atlas of Climate Change: Mapping the World’s Greatest Challenge examines the signs of climate change (rising sea levels, erratic weather patterns), looks at the serious implications of global warming, and provides insights into the politics and global debate shaping these issues. While it may not provide detailed solutions on what can and needs to be done to reverse our earth’s decline, the atlas does provide a comprehensive overview of the issues at play and the damage that is already being done.
Using over fifty full-color maps and graphics, this environmentally-conscious collection of maps is a good one for travelers to thumb through. It’s an educational and essential resource that provides a valuable visual overview of this pressing concern. Besides the basic food/water/health implications of climate-change, the atlas also looks at vulnerable cities and cultural landmarks around the world–especially in countries lacking the resources to adapt. As we travel through these lands, a book like this serves as an important reminder: Every movement we make has some impact on the life-span of our planet.