Countdown - Our Last, Best Hope for a Future on Earth? (Paperback)

A powerful investigation into the chances for humanity's future from the author of the bestseller The World Without Us.
In his bestselling book The World Without Us, Alan Weisman considered how the Earth could heal and even refill empty niches if relieved of humanity's constant pressures. Behind that groundbreaking thought experiment was his hope that we would be inspired to find a way to add humans back to this vision of a restored, healthy planet-only in harmony, not mortal combat, with the rest of nature.
But with a million more of us every 4 1/2 days on a planet that's not getting any bigger, and with our exhaust overheating the atmosphere and altering the chemistry of the oceans, prospects for a sustainable human future seem ever more in doubt. For this long awaited follow-up book, Weisman traveled to more than 20 countries to ask what experts agreed were probably the most important questions on Earth--and also the hardest: How many humans can the planet hold without capsizing? How robust must the Earth's ecosystem be to assure our continued existence? Can we know which other species are essential to our survival? And, how might we actually arrive at a stable, optimum population, and design an economy to allow genuine prosperity without endless growth?
Weisman visits an extraordinary range of the world's cultures, religions, nationalities, tribes, and political systems to learn what in their beliefs, histories, liturgies, or current circumstances might suggest that sometimes it's in their own best interest to limit their growth. The result is a landmark work of reporting: devastating, urgent, and, ultimately, deeply hopeful.
By vividly detailing the burgeoning effects of our cumulative presence, Countdown reveals what may be the fastest, most acceptable, practical, and affordable way of returning our planet and our presence on it to balance. Weisman again shows that he is one of the most provocative journalists at work today, with a book whose message is so compelling that it will change how we see our lives and our destiny.

General

Imprint:	Back Bay Books
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	May 2014
First published:	May 2014
Authors:	Alan Weisman
Dimensions:	210 x 138 x 36mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	512
ISBN-13:	978-0-316-09774-1
Categories:	Books > Science & Mathematics > Science: general issues > Impact of science & technology on society Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social research & statistics > Social forecasting, futurology Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Central government > Central government policies Books > Earth & environment > Geography > Human geography > General Books > Earth & environment > The environment > Applied ecology > General Books > Earth & environment > The environment > Conservation of the environment > General Books > Earth & environment > The environment > Social impact of environmental issues > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Promotions
LSN:	0-316-09774-8
Barcode:	9780316097741

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!