The Moon in the Nautilus Shell: Discordant Harmonies ReconsideredWhy do we keep talking about so many environmental problems and rarely solve any? If these are scientific issues, then why can't scientists solve them or at least agree on what to do? In his new book, The Moon in the Nautilus Shell, ecologist Daniel Botkin explains why. For one thing, although we live in a world of constantly changing environments and talk a lot about climate change, most of our environmental laws, policies, and scientific premises are based on the idea that the environment is constant, never changing, except when people affect it. For another, we have lost contact with nature in personal ways. Disconnected from our surroundings, we lack the deep understanding and feelings about the environment to make meaningful judgments. The environment has become just another one of those special interests that interferes with our lives. Poised to be a core text of the twenty-first century environmental movement, The Moon in the Nautilus Shell challenges us to think critically about our role in nature. |
Other editions - View all
The Moon in the Nautilus Shell: Discordant Harmonies Reconsidered Daniel B. Botkin Limited preview - 2012 |
The Moon in the Nautilus Shell: Discordant Harmonies Reconsidered Daniel Botkin Limited preview - 2012 |
The Moon in the Nautilus Shell: Discordant Harmonies Reconsidered Daniel B. Botkin No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
abundance ancient animals atmosphere bacteria balance of nature believed biological biosphere carbon dioxide Chapter classic climate change climate models complex computer models conservation constant continued D. B. Botkin decades Discordant Harmonies discussion divine order Earth Earth’s surface ecologists ecology ecosystems effects elephant energy environment environmental estimates example extinction fire fish fisheries forecast forest George Perkins Marsh glaciers global climate models global warming growth habitat human ice age idea important increase island Isle Royale kind Kirtland’s warbler living logistic logistic growth Lotka-Volterra Lotka-Volterra equations machine major Marine Mammal metaphor modern moose Mountain National Park nature’s nineteenth observations ocean organic past plants population predator prey problems result River role salmon scientific scientists sea otters seemed soil species stability temperature theory things tion trees Tsavo twentieth century vegetation Venice whooping crane wilderness wildlife wolves wrote York