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A Natural History of the Future
What the Laws of Biology Tell Us About the Destiny of the Human Species
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Format: Paperback / softback
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A leading ecologist argues that if humankind is to survive on a fragile planet, we must understand and obey its iron laws.
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Description
Over the past century, our species has made unprecedented technological innovations with which we have sought to control nature. In A Natural History of the Future, biologist Rob Dunn argues that such efforts are futile. We may see ourselves as life's overlords, but we are instead at its mercy.
In the evolution of antibiotic resistance, the power of natural selection to create biodiversity, and even the surprising life of the London Underground, Dunn finds laws of life that no human activity can annul. When we create artificial islands of crops, dump toxic waste, or build communities, we provide new materials for old laws to shape. Life's future flourishing is not in question. Ours is.
A Natural History of the Future sets a new standard for understanding the diversity and destiny of life itself.
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Rob Dunn's A Natural History of the Future offers a captivating examination of the relentless natural world, providing a crash course in ecology that serves as a predictive tool for future challenges. The New York Times praises it for its vivid vision and utility in understanding the natural crises ahead, while Scientific American highlights its lucid analysis, focusing on certainties we can rely on. Kirkus Reviews appreciates its stimulating discussion and educational value without resorting to implausible solutions, and Publishers Weekly acknowledges its thoughtful and accessible exploration of climate change mitigation. Overall, reviewers find it an inspiring, timely, and engaging account of how life might adapt in the Anthropocene, packing insightful scientific discoveries with practical solutions.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781399800136
Publisher: John Murray Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 02 February 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: John Murray Publishers Ltd
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 28.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 194.0mm
Weight: 220g
Pages: 320
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About the Author
Rob Dunn is an ecologist and evolutionary biologist, focusing on the biodiversity of humans. He is a professor in the Department of Applied Ecology at North Carolina State University and in the Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics at the University of Copenhagen. The author of seven books including Never Home Alone (Basic 2018), he also writes for National Geographic, Natural History, Scientific American, BBC Wildlife, and Seed magazine. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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