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Books > Earth & environment > Geography > Physical geography > Forests, rainforests
* SHORTLISTED FOR THE JAMES CROPPER WAINWRIGHT PRIZE 2022 * 'The
very treeline is on the move: a devastating image. This book is an
evocative, wise and unflinching exploration of what it will mean
for humanity.' Jay Griffiths The Arctic treeline is the frontline
of climate change, where the trees have been creeping towards the
pole for fifty years already. These vast swathes of forests, which
encircle the north of the globe in an almost unbroken green ring,
comprise the world's second largest biome. Scientists are only just
beginning to understand the astonishing significance of these
northern forests for all life on Earth. Six tree species - Scots
pine, birch, larch, spruce, poplar and rowan - form the central
protagonists of Ben Rawlence's story. In Scotland, northern
Scandinavia, Siberia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland, he discovers
what these trees and the people who live and work alongside them
have to tell us about the past, present and future of our planet.
At the treeline, Rawlence witnesses the accelerating impact of
climate change and the devastating legacies of colonialism and
capitalism. But he also finds reasons for hope. Humans are
creatures of the forest; we have always evolved with trees. The
Treeline asks us where our co-evolution might take us next. Deeply
researched and beautifully written, The Treeline is a spellbinding
blend of nature, travel and science writing, underpinned by an
urgent environmental message.
'A bold, ambitious and truly wonderful history of the world' Peter
Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees 'A fascinating story
and a crucial revision of the momentous importance of tropical
forests to human history' Lewis Dartnell, author of Origins
_________________________ Jungle tells the remarkable story of the
world's tropical forests, from the arrival of the first plants
millions of years ago to the role of tropical forests in the
evolution of the world's atmosphere, the dinosaurs, the first
mammals and even our own species and ancestors. Highlighting
provocative new evidence garnered from cutting-edge research, Dr
Roberts shows, for example, that our view of humans as 'savannah
specialists' is wildly wrong, and that the 'Anthropocene' began not
with the Industrial Revolution, but potentially as early as 6,000
years ago in the tropics. We see that the relationship between
humankind and 'jungles' is deep-rooted, that we are all connected
to their destruction, and that we must all act to save them.
Urgent, clear-sighted and original, Jungle challenges the way we
think about the world - and ourselves. _________________________
'Welcome to the "Jungle" - a breathtaking book' Mark Maslin, author
of How to Save Our Planet 'Timely, readable and highly relevant'
Steve Brusatte, author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs 'Its
revelations and stories will stir, rearrange and populate your mind
for years to come' Paul Hawken, editor of Drawdown 'Brilliant ...
it delivers a timely warning about our abuse of the environment'
David Abulafia, author of The Great Sea 'Finally, a book on
rainforests that does justice to their majesty and importance'
Simon Lewis, co-author of The Human Planet
Twelve lessons that trees can teach us to achieve inner calm, with
mindfulness and journaling exercises. Forest bathing, tree hugging,
'earthing' and nature retreats--more and more, we are craving a
return to nature, to peace, and simplicity. This book shows the
way. When international opera tenor and forester Vincent Karche
lost his voice, he was instructed by a shamanic healer that, to
regain it, he would have to find himself again first. Thus began a
journey into the heart of the forest. In this book, Vincent mirrors
the cyclical nature of the seasons to help us reconnect to our
natural rhythm, find inner peace, and activate physical and
emotional healing. Just as a tree anchors its roots into the earth
to weather storms, so too can we learn to cultivate resilience; to
find instant relief from stress, we need only breathe slowly in and
out as a tree would; and we can forge stronger relationships by
encouraging symbiotic links with all beings, giving and taking only
what we need as trees and plants do. In this poetic exploration of
the unbreakable bond between nature and human, Vincent reminds us
that we are both the forest and the tree: each unique in our being
and yet part of a Divine natural creation.
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