In an age when stories of impending doom with regards to the state of the environment are rampant it is great to read something more positive. Lester Brown has was named by the Washington Post as "One of the world's most influential thinkers" and has devoted his life to the global environmental movement. His most recent book, "Mobilizing To Save Civilization" reviews the health of the planet while discussing and offering up practical and positive steps towards a solution.

This book champions the cause for education and empowerment (through health care) of the individual as a means to achieving environmental harmony but pulls no punches in identifying the symptoms of a failing global civilization by identifying the top twenty failing states. Lester also takes a look at dynamic economies such as India and China as a means of discussing ways in which these countries are addressing peak oil and rising prosperity.

Lester Brown's book was put together as part of his work for the Earth Policy Institute - an environmental organisation that he founded in 2001 to "provide a vision of a sustainable future". The book was reviewed by Keith on the Brian Wilshire show on radio 2GB. A podcast of the discussion is available by clicking through here.

N.B: You may be curious to know more about the Guinea worms that Keith was talking about during the radio show. Take a look at this and remember not to ask him to recall the story over dinner!

This picture has been sourced from the great blog Afrospear - A Think Tank For People Of African Descent.