Natural capitalism

Paul Hawkin, Amory B Lovins and L Hunter Lovins, Earthscan, 396 pages, hardback, £18.99

The authors are trying to map out a new order termed "natural capitalism". But is this just another easily coined term to remind us of our damaged environment?

The book attempts to be visionary, the authors present a broad sweep of examples and anecdotes on ecology, design, environmental protection and business practice. There are detailed chapters on hypercars, eco-efficient buildings, agriculture, textiles, forestry, water and climate, and a fascinating account of Curitiba, the renowned progressive city in Brazil.

The four principles of natural capitalism turn out to be increased efficiency in resource use, "biomimicry" (which others call industrial ecology or symbiosis), the service economy and, lastly, a hard-to-define idea of investing in natural capital. Written in the popular American business book style, demonstrating the feasibility of change by example, it is entertaining reading but lacks deep political analysis.

"Although this is a book abounding in solutions, it is not about fixes," say the authors. Quite right - there is no simple fix that will achieve the radical changes in business practice they call for. But they argue that existing political and industrial structures can deliver this change.

The book has a positive message and is highly readable but is ultimately unsatisfying.