More on nature and climate

In his introduction, American biologist E. O. Wilson describes RESCUING THE PLANET by Tony Hiss as “a dazzling blend of science, travelogue, and history.” Hiss argues that mass extinction of species can be curtailed by efforts to protect the wildness of half the land. He introduces readers to local activists like Steven Kallick and Stephen Kakfwi who are working together to create Indigenous Protected Areas. And, in subsequent sections, Hiss turns to others – explorers, engineers, geologists, ecologists, foresters, oceanographers and more – across time to describe numerous conservation efforts. Although the text can be a bit hard to follow due to Hiss’ “wandering” from topic to topic and time to time, RESCUING THE PLANET received starred reviews from Booklist (“an inspiring chronicle”); Kirkus (“excellent…”); Library Journal (“exceptional work”), and Publishers Weekly (“eye-opening survey”). 

TOURING THE CLIMATE CRISIS by Osseily Hanna details his travel across five continents and 32 countries over six years. Hanna, a writer, photographer, and filmmaker, summarizes the experience as being “simultaneously perturbed by the magnitude of the problems I saw and inspired by the courage of those who are overcoming them.” Hanna is an impassioned and  colorful writer; for example, he says, “it felt as if each city I visited was at a different stage in a rehab clinic for hydrocarbon addictions.” He uses geography to divide the chapters which detail his many observations (e.g., regarding America’s reliance on gasoline powered vehicles or looking at wind energy innovations with a Danish scientist or mining operations in South Africa). Hanna effectively utilizes the voices of those he met to build empathy and to contrast the lived experience in the Global North and Global South. Roughly a fourth of the book provides extensive notes, a bibliography and index – valuable aids to student researchers. 

Added 8/21- New United Nations Sixth Assessment Report on Climate Change