VOTE FOR THE EARTH by The...

VOTE FOR THE EARTH by The Earthworks Group and League of Conservation Voters (Earthworks Press: $4.95; 128 pp.). As more than 60% of American voters consider the environment “a major issue of concern,” both national parties are posing as defenders of the Earth. In this concise guide, two grass-roots action groups present basic information on 15 major problems (overpopulation, global warming, wetlands preservation, etc.) and explain how to distinguish between committed environmentalists and candidates who merely pay lip service to ecological concerns. Although both groups are officially nonpartisan, these discussions inevitably draw attention to the yawning gap between President Bush’s lofty rhetoric on the subject and his shabby performance. The votes of the senators and representatives from each state are listed for five key issues: In California, Cranston outscores Seymour 80% to 14% (with Boxer coming in at 85%); Representatives Beilenson and Stark earn 100% ratings, while Cunningham, Dannemeyer, Dornan, Gallegley, Herger, Hunter and Lagomarsino are rated at 0%.