Oct./Nov. 1982 RAIN Page 29 Access Architecture Gende Architecture, by Malcolm Wells, 1981,178 pp., $22.50 hardcover from: McGraw-Hill Book Company 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 No doubt many RAIN readers share in a philosophical/emotional belief that the modem world is heading hell-bent toward destmctjon and that humanity must move its values in the direction of greater harmony with nature. Malcolm Wells applies this philosophy to the practice of architecture. He starts with the basic premise that new buildings can no longer be allowed to rape the land where they rest. Buildings and landscaping should, he believes, be designed to repair and revive a damaged, eroded environment. Wells talks about appropriate materials for different applications and he illustrates the use of energy conservation, daylighting and alternative energy systems. He has, over the years, developed a sufficiently holistic approach to architecture to consider landscaping for water conservation and recycling of building materials during constmction to be integral components of the design/construction process. This is a good book, both for architects and for students of architecture. — Gail Katz Environment Antarctica: WUdemess at risk, by Barney Brewster, 1982,125 pp., $14.95 from: Friends of the Earth Books 1045 Sansome Street San Francisco, CA 94111 With numerous environmental worries close to home, concern for Antarctic ecology probably has a low priority for most people. Antarctica is easy to ignore since it is half a world away and what goes on there has little apparent effect on us. But Antarctica: Wilderness at risk, in describing" both the wonder of Antarctic life forms and the fragility of Antarctic ecosystems, gives us good reasons to direct some attention to this part of the world. Part of the book's message is that humans have already damaged this once- pristine continent, but its most important theme is that Antarctica presents an opportunity for us to act wisely to protect a very special habitat before more serious harm is done. In the past, Antarctica has been used primarily as a natural laboratory for the study of the earth and its wildlife. International scientific cooperation in Antarctic research is unparalleled anywhere else in the world, according to author Barney Brewster, and the scientific freedom is much cherished by those working there. But recently several countries have been deemphasizing "pure" science in favor of more practical-benefit oriented research, such as exploratory drilling for petroleum deposits. The search for en- ergy in the form of petroleum deposits and food in the form of swarming krill create the most pressing threats to the Antarctic environment. Petroleum drilling under the extreme Antarctic conditions could lead to a disastrous, difficult- to-control pipeline rupture or tanker spill that would cause the deaths of many marine animals. OverharvesL^ng of krill, the foundation of the Antarctic food web, would place stress on nearly every Antarctic animal population, including the nearly extinct blue whales. The Antarctic Treaty, the present international agreement for stewardship of Antarctica, is not formally equipped to deal with resource questions. Conservation and management regimes have been set up outside the legal structure of the Treaty, but do not offer strong protection. The Marine Living Resources Convention, for instance, is really far more oriented toward fishing than toward protection and conservation, says Brewster. A minerals regime that will establish a system for assessing the acceptability of minerals exploitation in Antarctica, and for governing any ventures that are approved is now under deliberation by the Treaty nations. Agreement on a minerals regime will be extremely difficult considering the sovereignty disputes that have been more or less overlooked until recently (the Falkland Islands war was a related dispute). It is a complex situation and takes a book to fully sort out. Antarctica: Wilderness at risk does a fine job of describing the conflicts surrounding Antarctica, as well as some of its history, splendor and awesomeness. It is a complete introduction to Antarctic affairs and serves the important role of raising our Antarctic-awareness, which may help us prevent the continent's despoliation. — Jim Springer U.S. Carrying Capacity: An Introduction by Judith Jacobsen and Maryla Webb, 1982, 79pp., $3.00 first copy ($2.50 each additional copy) from: Carrying Capacity 1735 DeSales St., NW, Eighth Floor Washington, DC 20036 This work is a must for anyone who is concerned about the future. It presents the concept of "carrying capacity" by examining the natural resource future of the United States in a solid, well-researched manner. Simply stated "carrying capacity is the number of organisms that an area's resources can support indefinitely without degradation." When this concept is applied to the human population of the Cont. on next page
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