John Vidal was born and brought up in West Africa. One of the world's most experienced environment journalists, he has worked for over 30 years on the frontlines of the global war against nature. As environment editor of the Guardian he has reported on the climate crisis, disease and ecological change from more than 100 countries, during which time he has been attacked by loggers and farmers, imprisoned by whalers and sued by oil and chemical companies. Vidal has won many national and international awards for his writing and film-making. He is the author of one previous book and has contributed chapters to books on war, famine and conservation.