Transportation - Rob Bowden

In the more developed world, most people take mobility for granted. Rapid movement of people and goods is vital to the success of modern economies, and many of us cannot imagine life without cars, believing that they offer more freedom, privacy and comfort than any other form of transport. But, as Transportation shows, these apparent advantages come at an ever higher cost. As the number of motor vehicles on the world's roads rises, so do the pollutants they emit. These pollutants contribute to global warming, causing damaging climate change, and they affect human health. There is also the problem of increasing congestion. In the end, if the volume of traffic continues to grow, we will find ourselves completely gridlocked. In this timely book, Rob Bowden discusses the benefits and disadvantages of various forms of road, rail, air and sea transportation. Finally, he argues that we need to start making different transportation choices, for the sake of our communities, our health, and the future of our planet.

Opposing viewpoints are given throughout to provide opportunities for discussion and debate.

Rob Bowden is a development geographer who has taught international Environment and Development courses at the universities of Sussex and Brighton. He specialises in African issues and has written several children's books about the region. As well as writing, he runs an educational resourcing and consultancy company. He is a keen photographer and some of his images are used in his books. In 1999 his book 'Journey Through Africa' was highly commended by the Geographical Association and he has also been commended for his great contribution to education.