Adventures in the Anthropocene : A Journey to the Heart of the Planet We Made

"We live in times of enormous change on Earth. While previous shifts from one geological epoch to another were caused by events beyond human control, our addition of carbon to the atmosphere over the past century has moved many scientists to declare the dawn of a new era: the Anthropocene--the Age of Man. This latest geological epoch is rarely associated with positive news. Pointing to climate change, overpopulation, and species extinction, the writers weighing in on the change widely assert that this dark cloud has no silver lining. Watching this consensus develop from her seat as an editor at Nature, Gaia Vince couldn't help but wonder if the greatest cause of this dramatic planetary change--humans' singular ability to innovate--might also hold the key to our survival. And so she left her professional life in London and set out to travel the world in search of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to adapt, and, in many cases, to thrive. She meets Nepalese engineers creating artificial glaciers, a man in the Caribbean who created an entire island out of garbage, and numerous other innovators--from Uganda, the Maldives, Columbia, and countless points between. Part science journal, part travelogue, Adventures in the Anthropocene recounts Vince's journey, and introduces an essential new perspective on the future of life on earth"--Publisher's description. Read more... We Live In Times Of Enormous Change On Earth. While Previous Shifts From One Geological Epoch To Another Were Caused By Events Beyond Human Control, Our Addition Of Carbon To The Atmosphere Over The Past Century Has Moved Many Scientists To Declare The Dawn Of A New Era: The Anthropocene--the Age Of Man. This Latest Geological Epoch Is Rarely Associated With Positive News. Pointing To Climate Change, Overpopulation, And Species Extinction, The Writers Weighing In On The Change Widely Assert That This Dark Cloud Has No Silver Lining. Watching This Consensus Develop From Her Seat As An Editor At Nature, Gaia Vince Couldn't Help But Wonder If The Greatest Cause Of This Dramatic Planetary Change--humans' Singular Ability To Innovate--might Also Hold The Key To Our Survival. And So She Left Her Professional Life In London And Set Out To Travel The World In Search Of Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things To Adapt, And, In Many Cases, To Thrive. She Meets Nepalese Engineers Creating Artificial Glaciers, A Man In The Caribbean Who Created An Entire Island Out Of Garbage, And Numerous Other Innovators--from Uganda, The Maldives, Columbia, And Countless Points Between. Part Science Journal, Part Travelogue, Adventures In The Anthropocene Recounts Vince's Journey, And Introduces An Essential New Perspective On The Future Of Life On Earth.--publisher's Description. Atmosphere -- Mountains -- Rivers -- Farmlands -- Oceans -- Deserts -- Savannahs -- Forests -- Rocks -- Cities. Gaia Vince. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "We live in times of enormous change on Earth. While previous shifts from one geological epoch to another were caused by events beyond human control, our addition of carbon to the atmosphere over the past century has moved many scientists to declare the dawn of a new era: the Anthropocene--the Age of Man. This latest geological epoch is rarely associated with positive news. Pointing to climate change, overpopulation, and species extinction, the writers weighing in on the change widely assert that this dark cloud has no silver lining. Watching this consensus develop from her seat as an editor at Nature, Gaia Vince couldn't help but wonder if the greatest cause of this dramatic planetary change--humans' singular ability to innovate--might also hold the key to our survival. And so she left her professional life in London and set out to travel the world in search of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to adapt, and, in many cases, to thrive. She meets Nepalese engineers creating artificial glaciers, a man in the Caribbean who created an entire island out of garbage, and numerous other innovators--from Uganda, the Maldives, Columbia, and countless points between. Part science journal, part travelogue, Adventures in the Anthropocene recounts Vince's journey, and introduces an essential new perspective on the future of life on earth." -- Publisher's description Urbanization is a global phenomenon and the book emphasizes that this is not just a social-technological process. It is also a social-ecological process where cities are places for nature, and where cities also are dependent on, and have impacts on, the biosphere at different scales from local to global. The book is a global assessment and delivers four main conclusions: Urban areas are expanding faster than urban populations. Half the increase in urban land across the world over the next 20 years will occur in Asia, with the most extensive change expected to take place in India and China Urban areas modify their local and regional climate through the urban heat island effect and by altering precipitation patterns, which together will have significant impacts on net primary production, ecosystem health, and biodiversity Urban expansion will heavily draw on natural resources, including water, on a global scale, and will often consume prime agricultural land, with knock-on effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services elsewhere Future urban expansion will often occur in areas where the capacity for formal governance is restricted, which will constrain the protection of biodiversity and management of ecosystem services A science journalist travels the world to explore humanity’s ecological devastation—and its potential for renewal in this “compelling read” ( Guardian , UK). We live in times of profound environmental change. According to a growing scientific consensus, the dramatic results of man-made climate change have ushered the world into a new geological era: the Anthropocene, or Age of Man. As an editor at Nature , Gaia Vince couldn’t help but wonder if the greatest cause of this dramatic planetary change—humans’ singular ability to adapt and innovate—might also hold the key to our survival. To investigate this provocative question, Vince travelled the world in search of ordinary people making extraordinary changes to the way they live—and, in many cases, finding new ways to thrive. From Nepal to Patagonia and beyond, Vince journeys into mountains and deserts, forests and farmlands, to get an up close and personal view of our changing environment. Part science journal, part travelogue, Adventures in the Anthropocene recounts Vince’s journey, and introduces an essential new perspective on the future of life on Earth.