Becoming Earth

Description

Becoming Earth
by Ferris Jabr

ISBN: 9780593133972
Hardcover, new

Brief Description:
A vivid account of a major shift in how we understand Earth, from an
exceptionally talented new voice. Earth is not simply an inanimate planet
on which life evolved, but rather a planet that came to life. 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 where 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-stabilizing processes. Jabr introduces us to a diverse cast of
fascinating people who have devoted themselves to this vital work. Becoming
Earth is an exhilarating 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
millennia to come.