Focusing on areas where local people are vigorous participators in the determination of their own future, Grassroots Environmental Action uses case studies of communities in Latin America, Asia and Africa to emphasizes the potential of local environmental initiatives. International contributors analyze the social dynamics of local level resource use both in situations where encouragement and support is supplied from external agents, such as the state or international organizations and where local communities are forced to formulate their own plans and activities in spite of neglect, resistance or even active external oppposition. Grassroots Environmental Action examines the combined impact of small-scale activities--either constructive or destructive--undertaken by vast numbers of individuals on the fate of many resources and ecosystems, particularly in the Third World. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.