Based on the Gaia Atlas of Planet Management edited by Norman Myers, this book looks at ecology, conservation and preservation, not only of plants and animals, but also of land, sea, air, people and cultures. It allows children to make an informed opinion about their lifestyles and what contribution they can make to ensure a sustainable future. It also explains the agenda of the Rio Earth Summit global conference on the environment to the year 2000 and beyond. The book contains 11 chapters that examine the ecology, conservation and preservation of plants and animals, as well as land, sea, air, cultures and civilizations. Back-up reference material includes: a glossary of technical and jargon terms, an explanation of map projections and scale, and a guide to understanding and interpreting pie charts, bar charts and graphs. The text analyzes each subject from three perspectives: the resources available to people, the problems related to exploitation of these resources and the solutions. An educational reference section includes world maps of continents, regions and countries, mountains and rivers, and seas and oceans. This section also includes explanations of how to understand scales and maps, and how to interpret facts and figures. Miles Litvinoff is the author of The Earthscan Action Handbook for People and Planet, The Greening of Aid: Sustainable Livelihoods in Practice, The People and Countries of Europe and The Junior Cultural Atlas.