World War III: Population and the Biosphere at the End of the Millennium

The title of this important, eloquent blueprint for ecological and economic sanity refers to our species' relentless assault on the planet through overpopulation, degradation of resources, factory farming and pollution. Tobias, a historian, environmentalist and film producer, focuses on destructive patterns in five bioregions--China, India, Indonesia, Africa and the U.S.--enlivening his research with interviews across the globe with ecologists, scientists, family planners, demographers, economists and local inhabitants. Drawing on the Jain religion of India--which stresses nonviolence, environmental responsibility, vegetarianism and interdependence--Tobias outlines a global strategy for curbing population growth, developing renewable energy sources, policing environmental abuse and airlifting urgent conservation assistance to endangered biodiversity ``hot spots.'' This thoughtful, often lyrical report is the basis for a PBS documentary film of the same name to air in the fall. Author tour. (Aug.)