Ultrawild

In Ultrawild, join the brilliant and audacious inventor Steve Mushin on an extraordinary journey to combat climate change. This isn't just any journey; it's a thrilling adventure into a future where science fiction meets reality. Mushin invites readers into his innovative mind as he conceptualises a host of revolutionary inventions designed to transform our urban landscapes into thriving, biodiverse ecosystems.

From habitat-printing robot birds to water-filtering sewer submarines, Mushin’s inventive prowess knows no bounds. Readers will marvel at the scientific plausibility of these creations, including compost cannons that can blast seed bombs over a kilometre and brainstorming sessions with leading scientists and engineers to craft futuristic biomaterials. His goal? To rewild cities with unprecedented speed, turning our concrete jungles into lush, carbon-absorbing habitats for all species.

Throughout the book, Mushin delves deep into the interconnected worlds of climate science, engineering, and cutting-edge technology. His creations cover a wide array of topics including solar thermal power, bioreactors, ecosystem dynamics, and mechanical flight. With a perfect blend of humour and ingenuity, he outlines a compelling and meticulously researched plan to reverse the effects of climate change, making the book as entertaining as it is educational.

Developed over a span of seven years, Ultrawild stands as a beacon of optimism and a testament to the power of creative thinking in the realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This highly engaging work aims to inspire a new generation of designers, scientists, and ultra-wild thinkers, equipped with laughter-inducing and ridiculously clever engineering concepts.

'If this book does not fire your imagination, nothing will. Steve Mushin doesn't hold back when thinking about our green future; humanity needs all the ideas it can get to bring climate change under control, and this book is packed with them!' Professor James Renwick, climate scientist

'A brain-meltingly intricate and inspiring compendium of the gigantic ideas needed to repair the planet by rewilding every city on Earth. From compost-firing cannons to water-filtering sewer submarines, Mushin's bonkers, brilliant, boundary-breaking inventions give permission to eager 9+ conservationists to push their imaginations to the limit, rather than yield to despair.' The Guardian

'The most astonishing children's book I have read in ages. I am astonished by the wildness of ideas, the creative energy, the exuberant movement of thought, the feet in science and the YES in imagining. Enter the wilds of Ultrawild and you will see the world afresh because this book is a clear response to climate change, the loss of habitats, outdated power sources, a need to care for forest ecosystems, over-roading, resource depleting. It is like imagination gets political and the political gets imaginative.' Paula Green, Poetry Box NZ

'This visionary, intricate, outrageous road map for integrated thinking is mind blowing. It's funny, it's a melding of engineering, hi-tech, botany, zoology and pure creative thinking. Required reading for everyone, most especially political leaders and those feeling like we've run out of ideas: this book proves we really haven't.' Claire Mabey, The Spin Off, Aotearoa Books of the Year, 2023

'The ideas, conversations and inventions in Ultrawild belong in every school, home, waiting room, library, community house, bedroom, car and loo. The perfect gift for curious kids. Don't walk - RUN to grab your copy!' Kids' Book Review

'A visually impressive, large-format work of genius.' The Sapling (NZ)