Books:

1. Organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD). 1997. Incentive measures to promote the conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity: framework for case studies. Paris: OECD.

   This is the biggy on the use of sustainable development (stemming from the definition by Brundtland), thus this incorporates ideas on sustainable development implementation in the context of the OECD. However it takes a standpoint describing the need for development to conserve the environment, essentially blaming the 'poor' for environmental degradation.

2. Abott, GC. 1993. and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa. Brookfield: E. Elgar.

   Describes the interface between countries of different powers. Talks about conservation of biodiversity as a issue pushed in aid programs (and the hypocrisy of this being forced onto countries by other countries who do little conservation back home). The book also brings up issues on the role of aid donor countries and the (dominant) role they play, acceptance of aid, and autonomy.

3. Lomborg, Bjorn. 2001. The skeptical environmentalist: Measuring the real state of the world. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press.

   The Skeptical Environmentalist challenges widely held beliefs that the environmental situation is getting worse and worse. Lomborg is critical of the way many environmental organizations make selective and misleading use of scientific evidence. Although the book covers many resource areas, including food, oil, and fisheries, it does have a section on biodiversity. Bjorn, a statistician and former member of Greenpeace, is not stating that the world is in great shape, but he is saying that we have made advances and that there are more reasons to be optimistic than pessimistic. Given the strong feeling that the natural resources of the world face ultimate depletion, it is often challenging to be optimistic about ‘sustainable development’. This book, in addition to instigating serious debate, suggests that if we continue to focus our efforts to create more sustainable development the global situation will continue to improve.

4. Posey, Darrell (ed.). 2000. Cultural and spiritual values of biodiversity. London: Intermediate Technology.

   This volume is one product of the Global Biodiversity Assessment, and contains a multitude of resources. The book is divided into themed sections, including such topics as indigenous peoples and their environments, ethnoscience, valuing biodiversity for health, traditional agriculture, and ethical and moral concerns. The chapters are made up of short contributions by a variety of writers, from academic, indigenous, NGO, and other perspectives. There is something for everyone in this volume, from criteria for preserving biodiversity to a comparison of the perspectives of major religions on biodiversity.

5. Cherry, Lynne. 1990. The Great kapok tree. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

   A wonderful story of a man thinking of felling a rainforest tree and the "awakening" provided by the forest's creatures. Demonstrates interconnectedness, human impact, ethics, and biodiversity with a well written story and beautiful illustrations.

6. Suess, Dr. 1971. The Lorax. New York: Random House

   A classic tale of habitat destruction by "people" for greedy purposes, though also encompasses consumption, ethics, and regret. Usual Suess rhymes and made-up words and creatures—excellent book!

7. Rosenzweig, Michael. 2000. Species Diversity in Space and Time. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press.

   A strictly scientific look at the process of diversification over time across the planet and plant and animal kingdoms. Comprehensive and well written, especially for a scientific book (very readable).