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Plastic Unlimited: How Corporations Are Fuelling the Ecological Crisis and What We Can Do About It
by Alice MahDespite the global movement to tackle plastic pollution, demand for plastics continues to rise. As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, plastics are set to be the biggest driver of oil demand. Single-use plastics – deemed essential in the fight against COVID-19 – have been given a new lease of life. In a world beset with crisis fatigue, what can we do to curb the escalating plastics crisis? In this book, Alice Mah reveals how petrochemical and plastics corporations have fought relentlessly to protect and expand plastics markets in the face of existential threats to business. From denying the toxic health effects of plastics to co-opting circular economy solutions to plastic waste and exploiting the opportunities offered up by the global pandemic, industry has deflected attention from the key problem: plastics production. The consequences of unfettered plastics growth are pernicious and highly unequal. We all have a part to play in reducing plastics consumption but we must tackle the problem at its root: the capitalist imperative for limitless growth.
Lichens: Toward a Minimal Resistance
by Vincent ZoncaCovering almost 8 percent of the earth&’s terrain, lichens are living beings which are familiar to everyone, known to no one. They are one of those organisms that seem to offer nothing to hold our gaze. But the more time we spend with lichens, the more they reveal their beauty, their mysteries and their strange power of attraction. Part-algae and part-fungus, lichens call into question our customary ways of classifying forms of life, and allow us to conceive of an ecology that is no longer based on distinctions between nature and culture, urban and rural, competition and cooperation. The result of several years of investigation carried out on several different continents, this remarkable book offers an original, radical, and, like its subject matter, symbiotic reflection on this common but mostly invisible form of life, blending cultures and disciplines, drawing on biology, ecology, philosophy, literature, poetry, even graphic art. What if lichens were at the heart of some of the most pressing and topical questions of our day? Does the fact that they can live everywhere, even in very harsh environments, that they persist when almost all other traces of life have disappeared, mean that, despite their fragility, lichens are a force of resistance? After reading this book you will never see lichens, or the world, in the same way again.
The Culture of Stopping
by Harald WelzerOur culture has no concept of stopping. We continue to build motorways and airports for a future in which cars and planes may no longer exist. We’re converting our planet from a natural one to an artificial one in which the quantity of man-made objects – houses, asphalt, cars, plastic, computers and so on – now exceeds the totality of living matter. And while biomass continues to decline due to deforestation and species extinction, the mass of man-made objects is growing faster than ever. We’re on a treadmill to disaster. To get off this treadmill, argues Harald Welzer, we need to learn how to stop: as individuals and as societies, we need to stop doing what we’re doing and say ‘enough’. We find it hard to do this because our culture has trained us to regard endless escalation as desirable, and we’re reluctant to surrender the material benefits of growth. But as long as the expansive cultural model continues to prevail, there will be no change of course in favour of sustainable and climate-friendly practices and lifestyles. We need a cultural model in which the beauty of stopping is given the recognition needed for the project of civilization to continue. Optimizing processes that are heading in the wrong direction only makes matters worse. Stopping is imperative: it is a human cultural technique that we must re-learn. Only then can we achieve a new beginning.
Carbon Societies: The Social Logic of Fossil Fuels
by Peter WagnerThe climate crisis is humanmade. Its main cause is the burning of fossil fuels. To combat climate change, we have to understand how we arrived at where we are. This book explores the reasons why human societies have embarked on the trajectory of ever-increasing use of fossil fuels.Population growth, desire for freedom from want and profit-seeking all played major roles in shaping human history, but there has been no inevitable drive towards heating up the atmosphere in the pursuit of social objectives. To sustain a growing population, more natural resources are required, but their use does not need to generate climate change. No logic of modernity links freedom with a kind of material abundance that requires the burning of fossil fuels. No logic of capital necessarily ties the search for profit to the extraction of fossil resources.Examining the critical junctures in human history when resource regimes changed, this book identifies the social problems that were meant to be solved by burning fossil fuels and the power hierarchies that shaped the decisions to use them. Wagner argues that the key choices that led to the climate emergency were made relatively recently, during the second half of the 20th century: they are close enough in time for us to undo the prevailing social logic of fossil fuels. By redefining the key problems that humankind is facing and reshaping the existing mechanisms of power, we can take the decisive action needed to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and avert the worst consequences of climate change.
In the Name of Sharks
by François SaranoTwenty metres below water, the oceanographer François Sarano came face to face with a five-and-a-half metre great white shark. Seduced by the gentle elegance of this majestic creature, Sarano experienced a profound sense of affinity with her as they swam side by side, shoulder to shoulder, eye to eye, cutting a single figure through the ocean depths. It was an experience which made him realize the depth of our ignorance of the lives of sharks, leading him to become a passionate advocate for their protection. Drawing on the latest scientific research on the biology and ethology of sharks and their exceptional characteristics, this book aims to break through the barrier of prejudice and to pay homage to their true nature. Representing a last vestige of wildness, their populations are nevertheless under threat – like so many species, they have been hunted and exploited by humans. Sarano argues for a change of mindset in which we lose ourselves in the world of the other, so that each living entity, human and non-human, can take their rightful place in the broader global ecosystem.
China's Environmental Challenges (China Today Ser.)
by Judith ShapiroChina’s huge environmental challenges affect not only the health and well-being of China but the very future of the planet. In this fully revised and updated third edition of her acclaimed book, noted scholar of Chinese environmentalism Judith Shapiro explores China’s struggle to achieve the ‘ecological civilization’ championed by Xi Jinping since 2017. Drawing on six core analytical concepts - globalization, governance, national identity, civil society, environmental justice, and extractivism - Shapiro ably demonstrates the multifaceted and complex nature of this struggle. China’s precipitous economic growth has carried a heavy cost in air and water pollution, soil contamination, and loss of habitat for the biodiversity upon which human life depends. But its quest for sustainability has been further hampered by authoritarian governance patterns, soaring middle class consumption, the need to provide employment and safety nets for a population of more than one billion, and a manufacturing sector thirsty to secure global resources and sell to new markets. Transformation to a more sustainable development model is still possible. But, as Shapiro persuasively argues, this will require humility, creativity, and a rejection of business as usual. China – and the planet – are at a pivotal moment.
If we lose the Earth, we lose our souls
by Bruno LatourIn this book Bruno Latour calls upon Christians to join the struggle to avert a climate catastrophe. First and foremost, Christians need to overcome their lack of interest in “earthly things” and pay attention to the Earth at a time when it is being neglected. He also urges Christians to renew their understanding of their faith in the context of the new image of the world that has emerged from earth system science – that of a world in which the myriad of beings that inhabit the world are interdependent and living in close proximity on a slender, fragile membrane on the surface of the planet. This new image of the world cannot fail to have an impact on the sciences, on politics, and on religion, just as, in earlier centuries, the cosmology of Copernicus and Galileo upset the old order. Latour sees the ecological crisis, and the cosmological mutation that it entails, as an opportunity to convey anew, to the largest possible audience, the tradition of Christianity as it has never been appreciated before, by bringing to bear the lessons of eschatology on the great crisis that looms before us all.
Horrid Henry's Sizzling Summer
by Tony Ross Francesca SimonHave a sizzling summer with this totally awesome collection of six favourite Horrid Henry summer stories. Join Henry for a super summer holiday as he raids the Secret Club tent, gives Aerobic Al a run for his money on sports day, causes chaos on his first TV appearance, goes on a less-than awesome camping trip and much more.The perfect summer holiday read for Horrid Henry fans everywhere.
Where the Wilderness Lives
by Jess ButterworthAn epic race for survival that follows four children and their dog through treacherous waterways, dense forests and the deep, dark wilderness of Wales. From author Jess Butterworth comes a beautifully written adventure story in a vibrantly described setting - perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell.One day, as Cara and her siblings are trying to clean up the canal where they live, they pull out a mysterious locked safe. Though none of them can open it, they're sure it's something special.That night, a thief comes after the safe. The children flee, traveling with their boat as far as they can, before continuing into the forest on foot. But soon they're lost in the mountains with a snowstorm about to land and food supplies running low. Will Cara and her siblings be able to survive the wilderness with nothing but their wits, their bravery and one very large dog to help?
Pop!: Fizzy drinks. A trillion dollars. The adventure that ends with a bang.
by Mitch JohnsonAn outrageous theft. A huge reward. Two friends on the run. An uproariously funny, action-packed new adventure about the power of courage, standing up for what's right, and fizzy drinks, from the award-winning author of Kick.Queenie de la Cruz stares out at the ocean and dreams of a world beyond her small-town. She's about to get her wish... When the priceless recipe to the world's most popular drink - thought to be lost forever - washes up at her feet, Queenie's life instantly changes. Everyone wants it, and with a $10 million bounty on her head, Queenie's soon on the run. Pursued by bounty hunters, black-ops helicopters and angry mobs, Queenie's journey involves a mad scientist, a tin foil hat-wearing conspiracy theorist, a crocodile and an unlikely new friend, Todd. But being on the run also makes Queenie begin to see the world around her more clearly - a world in which a big corporation's excess has left the planet covered in its plastic bottles and waste. Suddenly, the home she always dreamed of escaping, and the ocean she grew up with and took for granted, don't seem so bad.If Queenie and Todd can bring down the bad guys, maybe she can go back home and make a difference...
The Forest of Moon and Sword
by Amy Raphael"A sumptuously imagined children's debut" The Telegraph"A fast paced; single minded adventure. Female bravery is a given" The Observer When Art's mother is accused of witchcraft and captured, she is determined to get her back - at any cost. A lyrical adventure with folklore at its heart, for fans of THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS.Twelve-year-old Art lives in a small village in Scotland. Her mother has always made potions that cure the sick, but now the townspeople say she is a witch. One cloudless night, Art's mother is arrested and taken to England. Art mounts her horse, taking a sword, a tightrope, and a herbal recipe book, and begins a journey through wild forests, using nature's signs and symbols to guide her.But will she spot the signs from the omens? Will she reach her mother, before it's too late?'A wonderful book' - Piers Torday'Very exciting' - Anthony McGowan 'Thrilling and uplifting' - Frank Cottrell-Boyce 'Gripping. I raced through it' - A.M. Howell
The Ship of Cloud and Stars
by Amy RaphaelFrom the acclaimed author of The Forest of Moon and Sword comes a high-seas adventure for readers 9+. Join Nico on her quest to change the world...Nico Cloud desperately wants to be an explorer, but her parents think adventures aren't for girls. Fate intervenes when Nico chases a kitten on board a ship . . . and then the ship sails out to sea!NICO IS AN ACCIDENTAL STOWAWAY.Lucky for her, the ship belongs to a famous scientist who is on a quest for new discoveries. But clouds are brewing overhead and cunning pirates are determined to wreck the crew's mission. Can Nico steer the ship to victory and prove her parents wrong?AN EPIC ADVENTURE STORY ABOUT THE POWER OF SCIENCE AND LEGENDS.
Pop!: Fizzy drinks. A trillion dollars. The adventure that ends with a bang.
by Mitch JohnsonAn outrageous theft. A huge reward. Two friends on the run. An uproariously funny, action-packed new adventure about the power of courage, standing up for what's right, and fizzy drinks, from the award-winning author of Kick.Queenie stares out at the ocean and dreams of a world beyond her small-town. She's about to get her wish... When the priceless recipe to the world's most popular drink - thought to be lost forever - washes up at her feet, Queenie's life instantly changes. Everyone wants it, and with a $10 million bounty on her head, Queenie's soon on the run. Pursued by bounty hunters, black-ops helicopters and angry mobs, Queenie's journey involves a trip to Area 51, a man-eating alligator and an unlikely new friend, Todd. But being on the run also makes Queenie begin to see the world around her more clearly - a world in which a big corporation's excess has left the planet covered in its plastic bottles and waste. Suddenly, the home she always dreamed of escaping, and the ocean she grew up with and took for granted, don't seem so bad.If Queenie and Todd can bring down the bad guys, maybe she can go back home and make a difference...(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Where the Wilderness Lives
by Jess ButterworthAn epic race for survival that follows four children and their dog through treacherous waterways, dense forests and the deep, dark wilderness of Wales. From author Jess Butterworth comes a beautifully written adventure story in a vibrantly described setting - perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell.One day, as Cara and her siblings are trying to clean up the canal where they live, they pull out a mysterious locked safe. Though none of them can open it, they're sure it's something special.That night, a thief comes after the safe. The children flee, traveling with their boat as far as they can, before continuing into the forest on foot. But soon they're lost in the mountains with a snowstorm about to land and food supplies running low. Will Cara and her siblings be able to survive the wilderness with nothing but their wits, their bravery and one very large dog to help?(P)2020 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
The Forest of Moon and Sword
by Amy Raphael'A wonderful book' PIERS TORDAY'Very exciting' ANTHONY MCGOWAN When Art's mother is accused of witchcraft and captured, she is determined to get her back - at any cost. A lyrical adventure with folklore at its heart, for fans of THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS.Twelve-year-old Art lives in a small village in Scotland. Her mother has always made potions that cure the sick, but now the townspeople say she is a witch. One cloudless night, Art's mother is arrested and taken to England. Art mounts her horse, taking a sword, a tightrope, and a herbal recipe book, and begins a journey through wild forests, using nature's signs and symbols to guide her.But will she spot the signs from the omens? Will she reach her mother, before it's too late?'Gripping. I raced through it' - A.M. Howell, author of The Garden of Lost Secrets(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
The Ship of Cloud and Stars
by Amy RaphaelFrom the acclaimed author of The Forest of Moon and Sword comes a high-seas adventure for listeners 9+. Join Nico on her quest to change the world...Nico Cloud desperately wants to be an explorer, but her parents think adventures aren't for girls. Fate intervenes when Nico chases a kitten on board a ship . . . and then the ship sails out to sea!NICO IS AN ACCIDENTAL STOWAWAY.Lucky for her, the ship belongs to a famous scientist who is on a quest for new discoveries. But clouds are brewing overhead and cunning pirates are determined to wreck the crew's mission. Can Nico steer the ship to victory and prove her parents wrong?AN EPIC ADVENTURE STORY ABOUT THE POWER OF SCIENCE AND LEGENDS.(P) 2022 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Moonshifter
by Penny ChrimesWhen magic is outlawed, can one shapeshifter find the strength to fight for both her lives?The shifting of shape grew upon her as she grew. As slow and stealthy as a polecat stalking a vole. A twitch of long ears, as yet unseen. The sudden thump of a powerful hind-leg, hers yet not yet hers. The sleekening of the flank. A change in the smell of the earth and the scents on the wind.And then it was fully upon her and she was Hare. Silver Hare - that most magical of all shape-shifters. Loveday Gwynne is a shapeshifter. When she transforms into Hare, she is full of joy, running and leaping through the grass on the moors, a silver hare with a special connection to the silver moon.But as a girl, she must be quiet and stay unnoticed, because the old magic of the shapeshifters is no longer trusted in the village of Penros. The new Elder of Penros is determined both to rid the village of Shapeshifters and to mine the cliffs below for gold, something forbidden by the old magic.Balanced between the human world and the animal, Loveday must find a way to use her powers to reclaim her home, before it falls into the sea...An enthralling story about bravery and standing up for what's right, steeped in the magic and wonder of the natural world.
Toxic: A rainforest adventure that might just be deadly.
by Mitch JohnsonHidden in the heart of the rainforest lies a secret... can three friends survive long enough to find it? An action-packed jungle adventure, perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell's The Explorer and M.G. Leonard's Twitch.Billionaire beauty mogul Anura Hegarty has pledged to acquire as much of the rainforest as possible to preserve it. But when armed guards appear and bring in portable terrariums to capture wildlife, Jessica and her friend Renata realise something much more sinister is going on.The rainforest holds a frog with a secret to staying young forever, and Jessica and Renata know they must find and save it first! Together with Briony-Rose, the girls journey deeper into the rainforest. Danger and betrayal lurk in every corner, and soon they're running for their lives, dodging blow darts and falling into traps. Will the children make it out of the forest alive?Praise for Mitch Johnson'Fizzes with adventure and great characters who pop from the page' - Peter Bunzl, bestselling author of Cogheart'I read it all in one gulp!' - Ross Welford, bestselling author of Time Travelling with a Hamster'A bonkers Willy-Wonka nightmare designed to get children thinking about the effects of everything they buy' - Ross Montgomery, bestselling author of The Midnight Guardians'A zany adventure that will make you bubble with laughter and fizz with indignation on behalf of our planet' - Maria Kuzniar, bestselling author of The Ship of Shadows'An exploding soda geyser of a book - an adventure story that will make you laugh, make you angry and make you want to do something to fix this crazy, messed up world' - Charlie Higson, bestselling author of Young Bond and The Enemy'Pop! is an explosive and unforgettable adventure with defiant heroes, devious villains, deadly corporate secrets all told with Johnson's brilliant humour. I loved it' - Tamsin Winter, bestselling author of Jemima Small Versus the Universe
Transcendent: Book 1 (Transcendent #1)
by Patrick GallagherJOIN THE TEAM. SAVE THE WORLD. Twin geniuses Jacob and Kira are recruited to take part in a high-tech mission to protect the planet ... but will their dreams of adventure come true, or is the threat too great to handle?Jacob and Kira live in the heart of Mbale, Uganda with their conservationist mother and navigate life as unsuspecting geniuses; Kira with hopes to explore outside the hot terrains of Uganda, and conspiracy theorist Jacob, whose fear often holds him back from the answers he so desperately wants to uncover.But when they discover that someone has been watching their every move in the hopes to enlist them in a top-secret agency called Transcendent, their lives are turned upside down.Soon the twins are hurtled from the luscious landscapes of Mbale, to the sleek streets of London, where - alongside other selected protegees - they must undertake three rigorous trials, each more difficult than the last, to be accepted into Transcendent. If they are successful, they will be launched into space to complete a high-stakes mission to fight the greatest threat the world has ever seen.Only, the twins soon realise they have more to contend with than they bargained for ... is there a more sinister reason they have been chosen?Two kids, one top-secret agency and an epic mission to save the world. 'A fun, action-packed thriller with a brother-sister duo that I really loved.' - David Owen, author of the Alex Neptune series
Transcendent: Book 1 (Transcendent #1)
by Patrick GallagherJOIN THE TEAM. SAVE THE WORLD. Twin geniuses Jacob and Kira are recruited to take part in a high-tech mission to protect the planet ... but will their dreams of adventure come true, or is the threat too great to handle?Jacob and Kira live in the heart of Mbale, Uganda with their conservationist mother and navigate life as unsuspecting geniuses; Kira with hopes to explore outside the hot terrains of Uganda, and conspiracy theorist Jacob, whose fear often holds him back from the answers he so desperately wants to uncover.But when they discover that someone has been watching their every move in the hopes to enlist them in a top-secret agency called Transcendent, their lives are turned upside down.Soon the twins are hurtled from the luscious landscapes of Mbale, to the sleek streets of London, where - alongside other selected protegees - they must undertake three rigorous trials, each more difficult than the last, to be accepted into Transcendent. If they are successful, they will be launched into space to complete a high-stakes mission to fight the greatest threat the world has ever seen.Only, the twins soon realise they have more to contend with than they bargained for ... is there a more sinister reason they have been chosen?Two kids, one top-secret agency and an epic mission to save the world. 'A fun, action-packed thriller with a brother-sister duo that I really loved.' - David Owen, author of the Alex Neptune series
Hello Fungi: A Little Guide To Nature (Little Guides to Nature #2)
by Nina ChakrabartiGet outside and explore the fascinating world of fungi with this beautifully illustrated pocket guide.Did you know that fungi are not quite plant, not quite animal and not quite bacteria, but a unique organism in a kingdom all of their own? Beautiful gallery-style pages showcase a fascinating world of fungi, including glow-in-dark fungi, the funky fungi that give off the strongest smell and the most colourful fungi. Creative off-the-page activity spreads include how to make a spore print and a recipe for delicious store-bought mushrooms on toast.With tips on mushroom identification (including the ones to avoid!), fungi-based activities to enjoy, and a guide to the most colourful and unusual mushrooms, this little book will provide hours of pleasure, both indoors and out.Be inspired to go outdoors and get up close with nature with this brand-new series from internationally bestselling illustrator Nina Chakrabarti. Also in this series: Hello Trees, Hello Bugs and Hello Fossils and Shells.
Hello Trees (Little Guides to Nature #1)
by Nina ChakrabartiGet outside and explore the magnificent world of trees with this beautifully illustrated pocket guide.Witness a tree's growth from seed to sapling and discover how trees come together to support each other in forests in this beautiful pocket guide to nature. Illustrated gallery-style pages show children how to identify a tree from its seeds, take a closer look leaf function and shape and highlights some of the oldest and the tallest trees from around the world.A book to inspire budding naturalists aged 6 and up, Hello Trees also includes creative off-the-page activities for children to try, including growing a tree from an avocado seed and creating amazing art by painting leaves and bark rubbing.Be inspired to go outdoors and get up close with nature with this brand-new series from internationally bestselling illustrator Nina Chakrabarti. Also in this series: Hello Fungi, Hello Bugs and Hello Fossils and Shells.
Return of the Wild: 20 of Nature's Greatest Success Stories
by Helen ScalesDiscover the extraordinary ways nature has come back from the brink in this collection of 20 environmental success stories from around the world, written by Dr Helen Scales and beautifully illustrated by Good Wives and Warriors. From humpback whale populations thriving again in the freezing seas of Alaska and the recovery of kiwi populations in New Zealand, to the setting up of tiger sanctuaries and reserves in India and return of elephant seals from 'extinction', this book plants a message of hope and shows children that positive change is possible.As well as the 20 recovery stories, Return of the Wild teaches children about the different habitats that animals and plants around the world call home - oceans, forests, deserts and more - and introduces them to the real people supporting endangered species. Finishing off with small tips on what children at home can do to help the wild world, from wearing eco-friendly suncream while swimming in the sea to using less single use plastic, this book reassures children that there are many ways to protect and save our planet from environmental harm.
Hello Bugs (Little Guides to Nature #3)
by Nina ChakrabartiDid you know that crickets have ears on their knees and that butterflies taste with their feet? And can you tell a bee from a wasp? Beautiful gallery-style pages showcase the fascinating world of insects, including ladybirds, beetles and bugs that glow in the dark. Fun off-the-page activity spreads include how to make a bug hotel and what to look for on a bug hunt.With colourful illustrations and amazing facts, bug-based outdoor activities to enjoy and features on camouflage, mimicry, life in a beehive and metamorphosis, this little book will provide hours of pleasure, both indoors and out. Be inspired to go outdoors and get up close with nature with this brand-new series from internationally bestselling illustrator Nina Chakrabarti. Also in the series: Hello Fungi, Hello Trees and Hello Fossils and Shells.
My Revision Notes (91) Chemistry: Edexcel International Gcse Chemistry Epub
by Neil DixonTarget success in Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry with this proven formula for effective, structured revision; key content coverage is combined with exam-style tasks and practical tips to create a revision guide that students can rely on to review, strengthen and test their knowledge. - Plan and manage a successful revision programme using the topic-by-topic planner - Consolidate subject knowledge by working through clear and focused content coverage - Test understanding and identify areas for improvement with regular 'Now Test Yourself' tasks and answers - Improve exam technique through practice questions, expert tips and examples of typical mistakes to avoid - Get exam ready with extra quick quizzes and answers to the practice questions available online