The Rescue Effect (Paperback)

Michael Mehta Webster

ISBN 10: 1643263978 / ISBN 13: 9781643263977

Published by Workman Publishing, 2024

About this Item

Paperback. "Details profound examples of life's resilience and makes a convincing case that the natural world still has a lot worth fighting for." -Paul Greenberg, New York Times bestselling author of Four Fish and The Climate Diet As climate change continues to intensify, the outlook for life on Earth often seems bleak. Yet hope for the future can be found in the "rescue effect," which is nature's innate ability to help organisms persist during hard times. Like a thermostat starting the air conditioning when a room gets too warm, the rescue effect automatically kicks in when organisms are stressed or declining. In The Rescue Effect, Michael Mehta Webster reveals the science behind nature's inherent resilience, through compelling stories of species that are adapting to the changing world-including tigers in the jungles of India, cichlid fish in the great lakes of Africa, and corals in the Caribbean. In some cases, like the mountain pygmy-possum in the snowy mountains of southeast Australia, we risk losing species without intensive help from people. As observers to-and the cause of-species declines, we must choose whether and how to help, while navigating challenging questions about emerging technologies and the ethics of conservation actions. Ultimately, Webster argues that there are good reasons to expect a bright future, because everywhere we look, we can see evidence that nature can rescue many species from extinction; and when nature alone is not up to the task, we can help. Combining rigorous research with gripping storytelling, The Rescue Effect provides the cautious optimism we need to help save life on Earth. By exploring the regenerative systems that help nature survive in the face of environmental change and stress, The Rescue Effect optimistically reveals how we can use this natural resiliency to help reverse the effects of climate change. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781643263977

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Rescue Effect (Paperback)
• Publisher: Workman Publishing
• Publication Date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1643263978
• ISBN 13: 9781643263977
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

In the face of climate change and other environmental threats, this testament to Earth's resilience “makes a convincing case the natural world still has a lot worth fighting for” (New York Times bestselling author Paul Greenberg).
 
As climate change continues to intensify, the outlook for life on Earth often seems bleak. Yet we can find hope in the “rescue effect,” nature’s innate ability to persist during hard times. Like a thermostat starting the air conditioning when a room gets too warm, the rescue effect automatically kicks in when organisms are stressed.
 
In The Rescue Effect, Michael Mehta Webster reveals the science behind nature’s resilience, through compelling stories of species adapting to our changing world: tigers in the jungles of India, cichlid fish in the great lakes of Africa, and corals in the Caribbean. In some cases, like the mountain pygmy-possum in Australia, species may be lost without our help. We are not only observers to species declines; we are often also the cause. In choosing whether and how to help, we must navigate challenging questions about emerging technologies and the ethics of conservation.
 
Ultimately, there are good reasons to expect a bright future. Everywhere we look, we see evidence that nature can rescue species from extinction. When nature alone is not up to the task, we can help. Combining rigorous research with gripping storytelling, The Rescue Effect provides the cautious optimism we need to help save life on Earth.
 
 

About the Author

Michael Mehta Webster is an expert in ecology, conservation, philanthropy, and non-profit management. His research interests focus on how organisms and ecosystems adapt to environmental change, how this information can be translated into effective conservation strategies, and the practical and ethical dilemmas that arise along the way. As an executive director of a conservation organization, program officer at a leading environmental foundation, and academic scientist, he has led efforts to connect cutting edge science to the management of species and ecosystems in the wild.