Natur

This handbook explains all the ways trees are essential for our climate, our urban and rural environment, our society and our mental health

The ultimate illustrated guide for sourcing, processing and using wild clay.Potters around the world are taking to the local landscape to dig their own wild clay, discover its unique properties, and apply it to their craft. This guide is the ideal starting point for anyone ΓÇô from novices, improvers and experts to educators and students ΓÇô who wants to forge a closer bond between their art and their surroundings.Testing and trial and error are key to finding a material''s best use, so the authors'' tips, drawn from long experience in the US and Japan (but which can be applied to clays anywhere) provide an enviable head-start on this rewarding journey. A clay might be best suited to sculpture and tile bodies, throwing clay bodies, handbuilding and slab bodies, or simply be applied as a glaze or slip. The specific properties of found materials can create a diverse range of effects and surfaces, or, even when not fired, can be adapted for use as colorful pastels or pigments.Beautiful illustrations and helpful technical descriptions explain the formation of various clays; how to locate, collect and assess them; how to test their properties of shrinkage, water absorption, texture and plasticity; the best ways to test-fire them; and how to adapt a clay''s characteristics by blending appropriate materials. From prospecting in the field to holding your finished product, there is helpful advice through every stage, and a gallery of work by international potters who have embraced the clays found around them.

Few of us know what goes on after dark, underneath the moon. Sally Coulthard shines a light on the Barn Owl, one of the most mesmerising and elusive icons of the countryside.With its heart-shaped face and silent, graceful flight, the Barn Owl regularly tops the nation's list of favourite birds. A brief sighting is a thrill, hovering along a hedgerow or sweeping over a stubble field, but how much do we really know about this sublime tenant of the night? We humans, ever the egocentrics, fancy we see ourselves in the Barn Owl's big, baby eyes and quizzical tilt of the head. But the Barn Owl lives on a different plane - a yearly see-saw of feast and famine, companionship and solitude. It's a tough life - living in the shadows - but the Barn Owl has made it this far.Sally Coulthard explores the hidden world of the Barn Owl. Full of fascinating insights, conservation advice and the latest research, this affectionate and timely guide also tells the story of a Barn Owl's early life - from first pip of the shell to leaving the nest - a fascinating time in this captivating creature's journey.

One of the earliest warnings about climate change and one of environmentalism's lodestars'Nature, we believe, takes forever. It moves with infinite slowness,' begins the first book to bring climate change to public attention.Interweaving lyrical observations from his life in the Adirondack Mountains with insights from the emerging science, Bill McKibben sets out the central developments not only of the environmental crisis now facing us but also the terms of our response, from policy to the fundamental, philosophical shift in our relationship with the natural world which, he argues, could save us. A moving elegy to nature in its pristine, pre-human wildness, The End of Nature is both a milestone in environmental thought, indispensable to understanding how we arrived here.

An internationally famous climate scientist with a strong media presence, Mann has been on the front lines of the climate debate for decades, and readers will want to hear from him on the solutions for the worsening crisis.For readers of The Uninhabitable Earth, The Future We Choose, and This Changes Everything, this is a book of solutions, not scaremongering, that will be indispensable for anybody who wants to save our planet.

***New York Times Bestseller***'So damn good. A page-turner that makes you think and has a huge emotional impact' Jeff VanderMeer, author of AnnihilationA wild and gripping novel about one woman's quest to reintroduce wolves to the Scottish Highlands at any costInti Flynn arrives in the Scottish Highlands with fourteen grey wolves, a traumatised sister and fierce tenacity.As a biologist, she knows the animals are the best hope for rewilding the ruined landscape and she cares little for local opposition. As a sister, she hopes the remote project will offer her twin, Aggie, a chance to heal after the horrific events that drove them both out of Alaska.But violence dogs their footsteps and one night Inti stumbles over the body of a farmer. Unable to accept that her wolves could be responsible, she makes a reckless decision to protect them. But if the wolves didn't make the kill, then who did? And can she trust the man she is beginning to love when he becomes the main suspect?Propulsive and unforgettable, Once There Were Wolves is the spellbinding story of a woman desperate to save her family, the wild animals and the natural world she loves, at any cost.'One of those very rare, special novels that changes you as you read' Laurie Frankel

A garden of geologic delights for all EarthlingsGeopedia is a trove of geologic wonders and the evocative terms that humans have devised to describe them. Featuring dozens of entries-from Acasta gneiss to Zircon-this illustrated compendium is brimming with lapidary and lexical insights that will delight rockhounds and word lovers alike.Geoscientists are magpies for words, and with good reason. The sheer profusion of minerals, landforms, and geologic events produced by our creative planet demands an immense vocabulary to match. Marcia Bjornerud shows how this lexicon reflects not only the diversity of rocks and geologic processes but also the long history of human interactions with them.With wit and warmth, she invites all readers to celebrate the geologic glossary-a gallimaufry of allusions to mythology, imports from diverse languages, embarrassing anachronisms, and recent neologisms. This captivating book includes cross-references at the end of each entry, inviting you to leave the alphabetic trail and meander through it like a river. Its pocket-friendly size makes it the perfect travel companion no matter where your own geologic forays may lead you.With whimsical illustrations by Haley Hagerman, Geopedia is a mix of engaging and entertaining facts about how the earth works, how it has coevolved with life over billions of years, and how our understanding of the planet has deepened over time.Features a real cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design

A comprehensive, richly illustrated guide to Japan's astonishing animals and plants-and the natural forces that have shaped themThis richly illustrated guide is the first comprehensive and accessible introduction to the extraordinary natural history of the Japanese archipelago. It explains how Japan's geology, geography, climate, seas and currents have forged conditions supporting a diverse range of species-from cranes, bears, eagles and monkeys to plants, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs and snakes-many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Engaging and authoritative, this book is a must-have for anyone who wants to explore or learn about Japan's natural wonders, from the Japanese Macaque-the famous snow monkeys-to the magnificent Steller's Eagle.Features more than 878 colour photographs, illustrations and mapsProvides a lavishly illustrated introduction to many of Japan's common and iconic mammals and birdsTakes readers on a naturalist's journey to the key areas of Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and Nansei Shoto, as well as the Izu, Ogasawara and Iwo islandsIntroduces Japan's geology, geography, topography, climate, habitats, biodiversity and much moreExplains where and how to watch and photograph wildlife in Japan, including whales

This book explains why emerging economies have come to dominate global environmental politics and examines the implications for international cooperation. Johannes Urpelainen argues that although they continue to prioritize economic growth, innovative bargaining and institutional design offer a way forward.

The Beaches of Scotland by Stacey McGowan Holloway is a guide to the stunning beaches around Scotland's coast, featuring information on facilities, access and activities, and presented with custom mapping and stunning photography.

This book is about an economic system that creates and circulates value. ABC&D explores an economy that is regenerative, accessible, abundant, open source, participative, distributive and devolved - by design. This book is a story of systemic re-orientation, away from an extractive linear economy towards a transformative circular economy. It's about rebuilding 'capitals' through the shift from extraction to circulation in both the monetary and materials cycles at the same time.The book's core concepts are illustrated using the food and farming sector. Through the lens of soil, food and farming systems, it looks in-depth at ways that people can design, build and participate in a regenerative economy. The Circular Economy illustrates really profound shifts and points to a new and emerging economics narrative which is beyond left and right - a devolved, post-capitalist economy based on wealth from the 'commons' and a reinvigorated democracy where the link between work and wages is broken.

Kew expert Tony Hall profiles over 70 of our amazing ancient trees, avenues and forests, revealing their locations across Britain and Ireland, and their cultural and natural history, botany and folklore.

This open access book brings science and practice together and inspires a global movement towards co-creating regenerative civilizations that work for 100% of humanity and the Earth as a whole. With its conceptual foundation of the concept of transformation literacy it enhances the knowledge and capacity of decision-makers, change agents and institutional actors to steward transformations effectively across institutions, societal sectors and nations.Humanity is at crossroads. Resource depletion and exponential emissions that not only cause climate change, but endanger the health of people and planet, call for a decisive turnaround of human civilization. A new and transformative paradigm is emerging that advocates for regenerative civilizations, in which a narrative of systemic health as much as individual and collective vitality guide the interaction of socio-economic-ecological systems. Truly transformative change must go far beyond technical solutions,and instead envision what can be termed ¿a new operating system¿ that helps humankind to live well within the planetary boundaries and partner with life¿s evolutionary processes. This requires transformations at three different levels:· Mindsets that reconnect with a worldview in which human agency acknowledges its co-evolutionary pathways with each other and the Earth.· Political, social and economic systems that are regenerative and foster the care-taking for Earth life support systems.· Competencies to design and implement effective large-scale transformative change processes at multiple levels with multiple stakeholders.This book provides key ingredients for enhancing transformation literacy from various perspectives around the globe. It connects the emerging practice of stewarding transformative change across business, government institutions and civil societyactors with the most promising scientific models and concepts that underpin human action to shape the future collectively in accordance with planetary needs.

How going flight-free can save the planet - and change how you see the world

We take it for granted that the streets outside out homes are designed for movement from A to B, nothing more. But what happens if we radically rethink how we use these public spaces? Could we change our lives for the better?Our dependence on cars is damaging our health ¿ and the planet¿s. The Dutch seem to have the right idea, with thousands of bike highways, but even then, what happens to pedestrians or people who want to cycle at a more leisurely pace? What about children playing outside their homes? Or wildlife, which enriches our local areas? Why do we prioritise traffic above all else?Making our communities safer, cleaner, and greener starts with asking the fundamental questions: who do our streets belong to, what do we use them for, and who gets to decide?Join journalist Thalia Verkade and urban mobility expert Marco te Brömmelstroet as they confront their own underlying beliefs and challenge us to rethink our way of life to put people at the centre of urban design. But be warned: you will never look at the street outside your front door in the same way again.

Wilderness guide Sicelo Mbatha shares lessons learnt from a lifetime's intimate association with Africa's wildest nature.

This playful manifesto - presented for the plant nation by a leading neurobiologist - is an international bestseller.

Ranging from miniature epiphytic orchids to towering trees, and from mangrove forests lining coastal waterways to high-elevation cloud forests, Costa Rica's rich and varied flora dazzles visitors and botanists alike. Tropical Plants of Costa Rica, the...

The deep sea is the last, vast wilderness on the planet. For centuries, myth-makers and storytellers have concocted imaginary monsters of the deep, and now scientists are looking there to find bizarre, unknown species, chemicals to make new medicines, and to gain a greater understanding of how this world of ours works. With an average depth of 12,000 feet and chasms that plunge much deeper, it forms a frontier for new discoveries. The Brilliant Abyss tells the story of our relationship with the deep sea - how we imagine, explore and exploit it. It captures the golden age of discovery we are currently in and looks back at the history of how we got here, while also looking forward to the unfolding new environmental disasters that are taking place miles beneath the waves, far beyond the public gaze. Throughout history, there have been two distinct groups of deep-sea explorers. Both have sought knowledge but with different and often conflicting ambitions in mind. Some people want to quench their curiosity; many more have been lured by the possibilities of commerce and profit. The tension between these two opposing sides is the theme that runs throughout the book, while readers are taken on a chronological journey through humanity's developing relationship with the deep sea. The Brilliant Abyss ends by looking forwards to humanity's advancing impacts on the deep, including mining and pollution and what we can do about them.

[F]or anyone who has ever sat in a city office dreaming of owning a smallholding one day and living off the land, this book will inspire them to take the plunge. Rated 5 stars by The TelegraphI raced through this beautiful story with mounting awe and excitement. What Lynn and Sandra have achieved on their croft in Scotland is a miracle of rebirth on land Isabella Tree, author of WildingThe inspiring story of two courageous women who took the leap and embraced a whole new way of life. Kate Humble, author of Home CookedAs seen on the BBC's This Farming Life Our Wild Farming Life is what happens when you follow your dreams of living on the land; a story of how two people became farmers - and how they learned to make a living from it, their way. Lynn and Sandra left their friends, family and jobs in England to travel north to Scotland to find a small piece of land they could call their own. They had no money, no plan and no experience in farming. They had in mind keeping a few chickens, a kitchen garden and renting out some camping space, but instead, they fell in love with Lynbreck Croft - 150 acres of wild Scottish Highlands filled with opportunity and beauty, shrouded by the Cairngorms mountains. This is the inspirational true story of Lynbreck Croft - a regenerative Scottish croft rooted in local food and community - and the dreams of two women in search of a new, wilder existence. In Our Wild Farming Life, Lynn and Sandra recount their experiences as they rebuild their new home and work out what kind of farmers they want to be. They learn how to work with Highland cattle, become part of the crofting community and begin to truly understand how they can farm in harmony with nature to produce wonderful food for themselves and the people around them. Through efforts like these, Lynn and Sandra have been able to combine regenerative farming practices with old crofting traditions to keep their own personal values intact.