This volume investigates the global state of the environment through the lens of visual documentation, questioning how collective human action can mitigate ecological degradation. Kenneth Brower, a noted environmental writer, curates a vast collection of imagery from over 80 international photojournalists to provide a comprehensive look at the planet's health. The work utilizes these visual narratives to argue that environmental stewardship is a shared, cross-cultural responsibility that manifests in diverse local initiatives.

This collection serves as a significant archival record of late 20th-century environmental concerns and the burgeoning global awareness of ecological preservation. The breadth of the photography provides a dense, visual argument for the interconnectedness of human activity and planetary health.