Becoming Earth : how our planet came to life / Ferris Jabr.
"Welcome to the living Earth. You'll never see it the same way again. One of humanity's oldest beliefs is that our world is alive. Though once ridiculed by some scientists, the idea of Earth as a vast interconnected living system has gained acceptance in recent decades. We, and all living things, are more than inhabitants of Earth--we are Earth, an outgrowth of its structure and an engine of its evolution. Life and its environment have coevolved for billions of years, transforming a lump of orbiting rock into a cosmic oasis--a planet that breathes, metabolizes, and regulates its climate. Acclaimed science writer Ferris Jabr reveals a radical new vision of Earth, emerging from the latest research, in which lush forests spew water, pollen, and bacteria to summon rain; giant animals engineer the very landscapes they roam; microbes chew rock to shape continents; and microscopic plankton, some as glittering as carved jewels, remake the air and sea. Humans are one of the most extreme examples of life transforming Earth. Through fossil fuel consumption, agriculture, and pollution, we have altered more layers of the planet in less time than any other species, pushing Earth into a crisis. But we are also uniquely able to understand and protect the planet's wondrous ecology and self-stabolizing processes. Jabr introduces us to a diverse cast of fascinating people who have devoted themselves to this vital work. Becoming Earth is an awe-inspiring journey through the hidden workings of our planetary symphony--its players, its instruments, and the music of life that emerges--and an invitation to reexamine our place in it. How well we play our part will determine what kind of Earth our descendants inherit for millenia to come."-- Front flap.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780593133972
- ISBN: 0593133978
- ISBN: 9780593133996
- ISBN: 0593133994
- Physical Description: xxiii, 269 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York : Random House, [2024]
- Copyright: ©2024
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 241-254) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Introduction -- Rock. Intraterrestrials : how subsurface microbes alter the planet's crust ; The mammoth steppe and the elephant's footprint : how animals shape Earth's landmasses ; A garden in the void : how to bring the planet's soils back to life -- Water. Sea cells : how plankton define the modern oceans ; These great aquatic forests : how marine vegetation makes the planet more habitable ; Plastic planet : how best to manage the plastic waste warping the ocean ecosystem -- Air. A bubble of breath : how microbes influence weather and helped create a breathable atmosphere ; The roots of fire : how the coevolution of fire and life transformed the planet ; Winds of change : how to cut greenhouse gas emissions and preserve a livable world -- Epilogue.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Climatic changes.
Life (Biology)
Evolution (Biology)
Life > Origin.
Earth (Planet) - Genre:
- Informational works.
Available copies
- 26 of 29 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Madison County Public Library.
Holds
- 1 current hold with 29 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Main Library | 570.1 JAB (Text) | 30229101347531 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
