You Are Here, the new book by Tom Kostigen, published by HarperCollins, is a trip through the world's worst environmental disasters. Kostigen brings home the force of our mistreatment of planet Earth in a vivid and gripping way. Kostigen stopped by to talk about his book recently:

BidForGreen: From reading your book, I was struck by the inequitable effect that the worst environmental problems have on the poorest people. They live the problems. Are some of the more heinous problems really civil rights questions?

Tom Kostigen: The poor get the raw of the stick, no question. But as the world "shrinks" because of travel and technology efficiencies, it's important to remember that what has happened and is happening to the poor can just as easily happen to the more fortunate. Natural resources do not discriminate. This should be a big wake-up call for the developed world.

BFG: Your style reminds me of Thomas Friedman in the way you see an issue from many different perspectives. Obviously, he has a very different opinion of globalization than you do. Is "You Are Here" the dark side of "The World Is Flat"?

TK: While I think there are benefits to globalization, there are downsides, sure. The transportation of goods, for example, all the way from China to the US. Certain exploitations occur. Take a look at the economic woes of today and you'll find no better example for buying local. We of course have to be mindful of the global community but that doesn't mean ignoring our own community close to home.

BFG: You visit many places, from Alaska to Brazil, on this book's journey. What surprised you most?

TK: I was heartened to find that pretty much every one around the world has a new consciousness of the environment. Being green isn't just a US phenomenon; it's worldwide.

BFG: Is there a contradiction in writing a book about pollution? How do you feel about the waste that your own book creates?

TK: First, the book is made with recycled paper. Second I carbon offset all the energy. And third I believe the tradeoff of educating people about the environment offsets the downside of its production. You can't live in a cave and hope to change the world outside.

BFG: What do you consider to be the most pressing environmental problem? Is there any solution in sight?

TK: Water scarcity is the biggest problem today. No question. We can solve this crisis tomorrow through education and preventing waste, pollution, and mismanagement.

BFG: Do our current economic woes scare you, considering the greater cost that additional environmental requirements and programs carry?

TK: Actually, I believe this is a time of opportunity -- to create better infrastructure, green collar jobs, and create incentives for alternative energy. I see a big silver lining in the dark clouds we are living under today..

BFG: In the end, do we solve these problems in the public or private sector?

TK: It is going to take three constituencies to solve the environmental problems of today: us, businesses, and the government. We have to take accountability and create demand to which businesses respond to with more sustainable products. Government then has to step in and provide incentives. No one sector can do it alone.