|
Showing 1 - 7 of
7 matches in All Departments
A powerful argument that our current path toward progress, based on
continual economic expansion and inefficient use of resources, runs
contrary to three foundational scientific laws. Â In this
compelling, cogently argued, and acclaimed book, Tom Wessels
demonstrates how our current path toward progress, based on
continual economic expansion and inefficient use of resources, runs
contrary to three foundational scientific laws that govern all
complex natural systems. It is a myth, he contends, that progress
depends on a growing economy. Wessels explains his theory with his
three laws of sustainability: the law of limits to growth; the
second law of thermodynamics, which exposes the dangers of
increased energy consumption; and the law of self-organization,
which results in the marvelous diversity of such highly evolved
systems as the human body and complex ecosystems. Wessels argues
that these laws, scientifically proven to sustain life in its
myriad forms, have been cast aside since the eighteenth century,
first by Western economists, political pragmatists, and governments
attracted by the idea of unlimited growth, and more recently by a
global economy dominated by large corporations, in which
consolidation and oversimplification have created large-scale
inefficiencies in both material and energy usage. Â Wessels
makes scientific theory readily accessible by offering examples of
how the laws of sustainability function in the complex systems we
can observe in the natural world around us. Demonstrating that all
environmental problems have their source in a disregard for the
laws of sustainability, he concludes with an impassioned argument
for cultural change. This new edition has a new preface wherein the
author regards The Myth of Progress as his most important work. It
has been in constant demand since it was first published in 2006.
Â
What kind of tree is that? Whether you're hiking in the woods or
simply sitting in your backyard, from Maine to New York you'll
never be without an answer to that question, thanks to this handy
companion to the trees of the Northeast. Featuring detailed
information and illustrations covering each phase of a tree's
lifecycle, this indispensable guidebook explains how to identify
trees by their bark alone-no more need to wait for leaf season.
Chapters on the structure and ecology of tree bark, descriptions of
bark appearance, an easy-to-use identification key, and
supplemental information on non-bark characteristics-all enhanced
by more than 450 photographs, illustrations, and maps-will show you
how to distinguish the textures, shapes, and colors of bark to
recognize various tree species, and also understand why these
traits evolved. Whether you're a professional naturalist or a
parent leading a family hike, this new edition of Bark: A Field
Guide to Trees of the Northeast is your essential guide to the
region's 67 native and naturalized tree species.
An intrepid sleuth and articulate tutor, Wessels teaches us to read
a landscape the way we might solve a mystery. What exactly is the
meaning of all those stone walls in the middle of the forest? Why
do beech and birch trees have smooth bark when the bark of all
other northern species is rough? How do you tell the age of a
beaver pond and determine if beavers still live there? Why are pine
trees dominant in one patch of forest and maples in another? What
happened to the American chestnut? Turn to this book for the
answers, and no walk in the woods will ever be the same.
Thousands of readers have had their experience of being in a forest
changed forever by reading Tom Wessels s Reading the Forested
Landscape. Was this forest once farmland? Was it logged in the
past? Was there ever a major catastrophe like a fire or a wind
storm that brought trees down? Now Wessels takes that wonderful
ability to discern much of the history of the forest from visual
clues and boils it all down to a manageable field guide that you
can take out to the woods and use to start playing forest detective
yourself. Wessels has created a key a fascinating series of
either/or questions to guide you through the process of analyzing
what you see. You ll feel like a woodland Sherlock Holmes. No walk
in the woods will ever be the same.
In The Granite Landscape Tom Wessels synthesizes history, geology,
biology, and personal narrative to enhance our understanding and
appreciation of these high, wild placesthe granite summit balds of
North America. He explores the unique and fragile ecosystem that is
common to exposed granite expanses from Acadia to Yosemitehow it
evolved slowly over millennia, and how it is threatened today by
foot traffic and overuse. Wessels' wonderfully informative and
accessible text combine with his dramatic photographs and Brian
Cohen's beautifully detailed illustrations to bring the denizens of
the granite bald to life. The mountains they celebrate include:
Acadia National Park in Maine; the White Mountains of New
Hampshire; the Adirondacks of New York; the Wind River Range of
Wyoming; the Beartooths of Montana; the Enchantments of Washington;
and Yosemite National Park in California. 18 photographs, 30
illustrations, 1 map, glossary, index.
This fascinating new book focuses on a rare and dramatic landscape:
the granite summit balds of North American mountains. Tom Wessels
synthesizes history, geology, biology, and personal narrative to
enhance our understanding and appreciation of these high, wild
places. He explores the unique and fragile ecosystem that is common
to exposed granite expanses from Acadia to Yosemitehow it evolved
slowly over millennia, and how it is threatened today by foot
traffic and overuse. Wessels' dramatic photographs and Brian
Cohen's beautifully detailed illustrations bring the denizens of
the granite bald to life. The mountains they celebrate include:
Acadia National Park in Maine; the White Mountains of New
Hampshire; the Adirondacks of New York; the Wind Rivers of Wyoming;
the Beartooths of Montana; the Enchantments of Washington; and
Yosemite National Park in California. 18 black & white
photographs, 30 illustrations, 1 map, glossary, index.
|
You may like...
Loot
Nadine Gordimer
Paperback
(2)
R398
R330
Discovery Miles 3 300
Loot
Nadine Gordimer
Paperback
(2)
R398
R330
Discovery Miles 3 300
|