Book Reviews
Embracing Limits: A Radical and Necessary Approach to the Environmental Crisis
by Keith Akers
Keith Akers' Embracing Limits is an enjoyable and intriguing read that offers a unique perspective on the environmental crisis our generation is faced with and will continue to be affected by in the future. Akers argues the cause of environmental destruction, at its core, is the human desire for limitless growth and expansion. He explains that the most effective solution we can do as humans is to "embrace limits" and relinquish our near unquenchable desire for expansion and growth.
I appreciated Akers' introduction of the book, which gives a detailed history of the environmental movement and how it has changed over time. This includes the rise of the Conservation Movement of the late 19th century, the environmentalism movement that gained traction in the 60s and 70s, and the most recent wave of environmentalism, the Climate Justice Movement. While all these major movements made some sort of progress, Akers argues they have inevitably failed to address the root of environmental destruction. To contain our desire for expansion, it is essential that we embrace limits and understand their necessity. Our current economic and political systems are based on the idea of unlimited growth, which is an unsustainable and unrealistic assumption with our current rate of environmental degradation.
Akers provides practical and helpful solutions, or "limits," that we can all embrace in our daily lives. These limits go beyond the basic recycling and electric cars. The most prevalent solution Akers suggests is to limit our consumption of meat and animal products, and to instead adopt a plant-based diet. This is wonderful news to all vegetarians and vegans alike. A plant-based diet is not only beneficial to humans' health, but has a positive impact on the environment. He argues that animal agriculture has a negative impact on the environment, through deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Akers admits that though some people may find it challenging to completely give up meat and animal products, it is most important that we make efforts to reduce our overall meat consumption as a means of helping to solve our environmental crisis.
I'd recommend Embracing Limits to anyone who feels stumped about what they can do to help solve our environmental crisis. He provides practical everyday solutions backed by science and research. Just as Akers suggests in this book, sometimes the answer is truly so simple, yet massive. Instead of thinking of solutions in terms of expansion and innovation, we should instead set limits and embrace them for a healthier planet and human population.
Embracing Limits (ISBN 978-0-9455-2802-9) is 213 pages. It is published by Earth Animal Trust and retails for $25.00. Order this book online. Anna Markulis/VRG Intern
Plant Powered Protein
by Brenda Davis, RD; Vesanto Melina, MS, RD; and Cory Davis, MBA, P.Ag
Plant Powered Protein is a comprehensive guide to plant protein. From the introductory chapters that cover the basics of protein nutrition to chapters on protein nutrition in all stages of the life-cycle as well as for athletes, this engaging text ably provides a wealth of information. The authors use quizzes, questions and answers, illustrations, and simple tables to present nutrition information in an understandable way.
Throughout this book, the focus is on the advantages of plant protein. One chapter is devoted to the environmental costs of protein choices and another to the effect of protein source on the risk of some chronic diseases. In addition to being understandable, the information provided is based on scientific studies and carefully documented.
Another strength of Plant Powered Protein is its practical information such as the Plant-Based Plate meal plan, sample menus, shopping and cooking tips, and 30 vegan recipes. You may want to try Rainbow Veggie Fajitas, Gorilla Granola, or Power Greens Salad.
Plant Powered Protein (ISBN: 978-1-57067-410-5) is 200 pages. It is published by Healthy Living Publications and retails for $27.95. Reed Mangels/VRG Nutrition Advisor.
