I am genuinely scared now. [Environment by Rolf Halden]

What is the environment, this elusive object that impacts us so profoundly--our odds to be born; the way we look, feel, and function; and how long and comfortable we may live? The environment is not only everything we see around us but also, at a lesser scale, a hailstorm of molecules large and small that constantly penetrates our bodies, simultaneously nourishing and threatening our health. The concept of oneness with our surroundings urges a reckoning of what we are doing to 'the environment,' and consequently, what we are doing to ourselves.

By taking us through this journey of questioning, Rolf Halden's Environment empowers readers with new knowledge and a heightened appreciation of how our daily lifestyle decisions are impacting the places we occupy, our health, and humanity's prospect of survival.

Earth day was a few days ago. The cover of Rolf Halden's Environment looked pretty and the description intrigued me. From the cover you'd think it would focus mostly on water or water bottles. To a degree that's true. Environment as the question, what is a water bottle? How do we interact with those bottle building blocks and what should we ask ourselves when we think of that relationship?

Rolf Holden, a name with which I was unfamiliar but have now come to associate with groundbreaking environmental research, serves as topic expert, contrasting moments in his life with environmental attitudes and vice versa. Logical, often chronological discussions of turning points in chemical industries and their regulatory counterpoints elucidate how the chemistry of mundane life is slowly killing us and how we have done nary a thing to counter it.

As with any book on environmental sciences I leave feeling inspired by a righteous anger to contribute and right collective societal wrongs. But like always, what can I do? What grand impact, save returning to school to earn another degree to spend years researching as I wait 14 years apparently for regulatory action to be taken, can I have on the status quo? What will it take to see grand global action with respect to conservation and chemical safety? We get some of the author's answers, but is seeking balance enough? I don't know but after my read these questions will stay in my mind and weigh on my heart. 4 stars from me.

Environment was published April 2nd, 2020.