Overpopulation
Zeaman’s young adult book, Overpopulation, was selected for the New York Public Library’s “Books for the Teen Age” list.
Author: John Zeaman
Publisher: Franklin Watts (May 1, 2002)
ISBN-10: 0531118932
ISBN-13: 978-0531118931
Examines the problems and dangers posed by overpopulation and offers possible solutions to the crisis.
From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up-Zeaman writes from the premise that this controversial topic has been ignored by the media. He discusses factors that have contributed to overpopulation, including better health care, fewer wars, and improved grain crops, as well as destructive behaviors that are harming the ecosystems, and offers suggestions for preventing a catastrophic planetary future. The book contains a few black-and-white photographs and many sidebars that add interesting details to the text. A first-rate update of Paul Ehrlich's The Population Explosion (S & S, 1990; o.p.), it will be useful for students searching for debate material or researching the future of life on Earth.
Elizabeth Stumpf, Clearfield Middle School, PA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 8-12. Zeaman makes the argument that although overpopulation is not currently a hot topic, it should be. It took more than a century for the Earth's population to hit two billion, which it finally did in 1927. Now it takes only 12 to 13 years to add another billion people. Zeaman covers complex, interrelated topics clearly and fairly in this fine overview, which presents alternative perspectives and diverse theories about how much life the Earth can sustain. Chapters cover such topics as the consequences of war, plague, famine, and the breakdown of ecosystems. This consciousness-raising book will leave teens concerned without making them feel that the situation is hopeless. A glossary, a list of further resources, and many graphs and diagrams supplement this solidly informative text. Susan Dove Lempke
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