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Why the Porcupine is Not a Bird: Explorations in the Folk Zoology of an Eastern Indonesian People
by Gregory ForthWhy the Porcupine Is Not a Bird is a comprehensive analysis of knowledge of animals among the Nage people of central Flores in Indonesia. Gregory Forth sheds light on the ongoing anthropological debate surrounding the categorization of animals in small-scale non-Western societies.Forth's detailed discussion of how the Nage people conceptualize their relationship to the animal world covers the naming and classification of animals, their symbolic and practical use, and the ecology of central Flores and its change over the years. His study reveals the empirical basis of Nage classifications, which align surprisingly well with the taxonomies of modern biologists. It also shows how the Nage employ systems of symbolic and utilitarian classification distinct from their general taxonomy. A tremendous source of ethnographic detail, Why the Porcupine Is Not a Bird is an important contribution to the fields of ethnobiology and cognitive anthropology.
Why We Disagree about Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity
by Mike HulmeClimate change is not 'a problem' waiting for 'a solution'. It is an environmental, cultural and political phenomenon which is re-shaping the way we think about ourselves, our societies and humanity's place on Earth. Drawing upon twenty-five years of professional work as an international climate change scientist and public commentator, Mike Hulme provides a unique insider's account of the emergence of this phenomenon and the diverse ways in which it is understood. He uses different standpoints from science, economics, faith, psychology, communication, sociology, politics and development to explain why we disagree about climate change. In this way he shows that climate change, far from being simply an 'issue' or a 'threat', can act as a catalyst to revise our perception of our place in the world. Why We Disagree About Climate Change is an important contribution to the ongoing debate over climate change and its likely impact on our lives.
Why We Disagree About Climate Change
by Mike HulmeClimate change is not 'a problem' waiting for 'a solution'. It is an environmental, cultural and political phenomenon which is re-shaping the way we think about ourselves, our societies and humanity's place on Earth. Drawing upon twenty-five years of professional work as an international climate change scientist and public commentator, Mike Hulme provides a unique insider's account of the emergence of this phenomenon and the diverse ways in which it is understood. He uses different standpoints from science, economics, faith, psychology, communication, sociology, politics and development to explain why we disagree about climate change. In this way he shows that climate change, far from being simply an 'issue' or a 'threat', can act as a catalyst to revise our perception of our place in the world. Why We Disagree About Climate Change is an important contribution to the ongoing debate over climate change and its likely impact on our lives.
Why We Hate the Oil Companies: Straight Talk from an Energy Insider
by John HofmeisterAs president of Shell Oil, John Hofmeister was known for being a straight shooter, willing to challenge his peers throughout the industry. Now, he's a man on a mission, the founder of Citizens for Affordable Energy, crisscrossing the country in a grassroots campaign to change the way we look at energy in this country. While pundits proffer false new promises of green energy independence, or flatly deny the existence of a problem, Hofmeister offers an insider's view of what's behind the energy companies' posturing, and how politicians use energy misinformation, disinformation, and lack of information to get and stay elected. He tackles the energy controversy head-on, without regard for political correctness. He also provides a new framework for solving difficult problems, identifying solutions that will lead to a future of comfortable lifestyles, affordable and clean energy, environmental protection, and sustained economic competitiveness.
Why We Love: The New Science Behind Our Closest Relationships
by Dr. Anna MachinAn Oxford evolutionary anthropoloigst explores the ever-elusive science of love.
Why We Need to Be Wild: One Woman's Quest for Ancient Human Answers to 21st Century Problems
by Jessica Carew Kraft"In the tradition of the best immersive journalism." –A.J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living BiblicallyA bold examination of how Paleolithic wisdom could solve our 21st century problemsJessica Carew Kraft, an urban wife and mom of two, was firmly rooted in the modern world, complete with a high-powered career in tech and the sneaking suspicion that her lifestyle was preventing her and her family from truly thriving. Determined to find a better way, Jessica quit her job and set out to learn about "rewilding" from people who reject the comforts and convenience of civilization by using ancient tools and skills to survive. Along the way, she learned how to turn sticks into fire, stones into axes, and bones into tools for harvesting wild food—and found an entire community walking the path back from our technology-focused, anxiety-ridden way of life to a simpler, more human experience.Weaving deep research and reportage with her own personal journey, Jessica tells the remarkable story of the potential benefits rewilding has for us and our planet, and questions what it truly means to be a human in today's world. For readers of A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century and Hunt, Gather, Parent, Why We Need to Be Wild is a thought-provoking, unforgettable narrative that illuminates how we survived in the past, how we live now, and how each of us can choose to thrive in the years ahead. "Kraft shows us how we could all benefit from being a little less civilized." —Tiffany Shlain, author of 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week
Why? Weather: Brilliant Answers to Baffling Questions (Why? Series)
by DKExplore the intriguing answers to more than 200 questions about weather and learn all about the real-time impacts of the climate crisis in this absorbing encyclopedia for kids.What happens inside a thundercloud? Why is the sky not always blue? How are hurricanes born? Why is climate change dangerous? This children's book helps inquisitive minds find out answers to all the questions they may have about weather and climate, and some they hadn't thought of! Featuring detailed explanations to weather wonders, extreme weather, the science of weather forecasting, and climate change, Why? Weather helps children become weather experts in no time. Each page asks and answers a different question, and features a quick quiz designed to cement new knowledge. Bursting with mind-boggling facts, stunning photography, and extensive diagrams, this visually appealing book will be treasured by every budding meteorologist.
Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon's Army & Other Diabolical Insects
by Amy StewartIn this darkly comical look at the sinister side of our relationship with the natural world,Stewart has tracked down over one hundred of our worst entomological foes—creaturesthat infest, infect, and generally wreak havoc on human affairs. From the world’s mostpainful hornet, to the flies that transmit deadly diseases, to millipedes that stop traffic, to the“bookworms” that devour libraries, to the Japanese beetles munching on your roses, Wicked Bugsdelves into the extraordinary powers of six- and eight-legged creatures.With wit, style, and exacting research, Stewart has uncovered the most terrifying and titillatingstories of bugs gone wild. It’s an A to Z of insect enemies, interspersed with sections thatexplore bugs with kinky sex lives (“She’s Just Not That Into You”), creatures lurking in the cupboard(“Fear No Weevil”), insects eating your tomatoes (“Gardener’s Dirty Dozen”), and phobiasthat feed our (sometimes) irrational responses to bugs (“Have No Fear”).Intricate and strangely beautiful etchings and drawings by Briony Morrow-Cribbs capturediabolical bugs of all shapes and sizes in this mixture of history, science, murder, and intriguethat begins—but doesn’t end—in your own backyard
Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities
by Amy Stewart[From back cover] Beware! The Sordid Lives of Plants Behaving Badly. A tree that sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed that stops the heart; a shrub that causes paralysis; a vine that strangles; and a leaf that triggered a war. Amy Stewart, bestselling author of Flower Confidential, takes on over two hundred of Mother Nature's most appalling creations in an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. Menacing botanical illustrations render a ghastly portrait of evildoers that may be lurking in your own backyard. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, this compendium of bloodcurdling botany will entertain, enlighten, and alarm even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities
by Amy Stewart Briony Morrow-Cribbs Jonathon RosenA tree that sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed that stops the heart; a shrub that causes paralysis; a vine that strangles; and a leaf that triggered a war. In Wicked Plants, Stewart takes on over two hundred of Mother Nature’s most appalling creations. It’s an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. You’ll learn which plants to avoid (like exploding shrubs), which plants make themselves exceedingly unwelcome (like the vine that ate the South), and which ones have been killing for centuries (like the weed that killed Abraham Lincoln's mother). Menacing botanical illustrations and splendidly ghastly drawings create a fascinating portrait of the evildoers that may be lurking in your own backyard. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, this compendium of bloodcurdling botany will entertain, alarm, and enlighten even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.
The Wicked Problem of Forest Policy: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Sustainability in Forest Landscapes
by William Nikolakis John L. InnesForests play an important role in resolving global challenges such as sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity loss, and food and water security. Stopping deforestation is crucial for the future of our planet. Global efforts to curb deforestation, have been partially successful, but have largely fallen short. At the same time, national level efforts to support human development, reflected in the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, aim to increase the welfare and wellbeing of populations living in poverty. Meeting these development goals will inevitably have crosscutting effects on initiatives to address deforestation. In balancing these goals, policy makers are confronted with wicked problems – or problems where there are moral considerations and where limited information is available for policy makers. This book is focused on how wicked forest policy problems have been, and can be, addressed.
Wide Rivers Crossed: The South Platte and the Illinois of the American Prairie (G - Reference, Information And Interdisciplinary Subjects Ser.)
by Ellen E. WohlIn Wide Rivers Crossed, Ellen Wohl tells the stories of two rivers—the South Platte on the western plains and the Illinois on the eastern—to represent the environmental history and historical transformation of major rivers across the American prairie. Wohl begins with the rivers’ natural histories, including their geologic history, physical characteristics, ecological communities, and earliest human impacts, and follows a downstream and historical progression from the use of the rivers’ resources by European immigrants through increasing population density of the twentieth century to the present day. During the past two centuries, these rivers changed dramatically, mostly due to human interaction. Crops replaced native vegetation; excess snowmelt and rainfall carried fertilizers and pesticides into streams; and levees, dams, and drainage altered distribution. These changes cascaded through networks, starting in small headwater tributaries, and reduced the ability of rivers to supply the clean water, fertile soil, and natural habitats they had provided for centuries. Understanding how these rivers, and rivers in general, function and how these functions have been altered over time will allow us to find innovative approaches to restoring river ecosystems. The environmental changes in the South Platte and the Illinois reflect the relentless efforts by humans to control the distribution of water: to enhance surface water in the arid western prairie and to limit the spread of floods and drain the wetlands along the rivers in the water-abundant east. Wide Rivers Crossed looks at these historical changes and discusses opportunities for much-needed protection and restoration for the future.
Wide skies: Finding a Home in the West
by Gary Holthaus"Like many other Americans, judging from the amount of predawn traffic, I am on the move, scurrying through the dark like a coyote, nose down in pursuit of something-my work, an ephemeral desire that has no name, a life, an end of restlessness, a true place in the world. " A true place in the world: how many people have looked for it and how many have finally found it in the American West? Here, with writer Gary Holthaus, readers will reflect upon their own sense of place as they travel the lands and enter the lives of people in small towns and on ranches all over the West from Utah to Oregon to Alaska. Farmers and merchants, writers and teachers, btruckers and trappers: their stories ring with hope and fear as their wide-open spaces increasingly come under siege. Here are reflections on a long journey, together with notes of a personal odyssey and a plea for preserving the West's natural beauty-its meadows and mountains, its bears and Golden Eagles, its antelope and wolverines. This is important, says Holthaus, because if the region is home for him and for others, too, then it is crucial for newcomers and old-timers alike not to "further foul a nest that is becoming increasingly crowded. " As he finds his way and adjusts his eyes to modern realities of greed and indifference, he also comes to grips with loss and learns to balance "the harm one inevitably does" with acts of compassion and positive change. Deep in the national consciousness, the mythical West of film and fiction continues to shape our vision of ourselves as Americans. This book is a view not from the media, not from think tanks or legislators or policy makers, but from Westerners themselves, who tell us about the circumstances of their lives. Their West is indisputably the real West, and only as we come to understand better its realities will we come to know ourselves both as individuals and as a nation.
Wide World of Weather: Weather and Climate Around the World (Weather and Climate)
by Emily RaijFrom windswept deserts to rain-soaked forests, the world's climates experience weather unique to their place in the world. Discover how scientists study climates, the weather experienced in each one, and how climate impacts the people who live there.
Wider die Borniertheit und den Chauvinismus – mit Paul K. Feyerabend durch absurde Zeiten
by Wolfgang FrindteAnlässlich seines 100. Geburtstages wird an Paul K. Feyerabend erinnert; es werden seine Ideen diskutiert und es wird gefragt, inwieweit diese geeignet sind, aktuelle Geschehnisse und Konflikte zu beurteilen.
Wie der Mensch seine Welt neu erschaffen hat
by Ernst Peter Fischer"Wissenschaft wird von Menschen gemacht" Mit diesem Zitat des Physikers und Humanisten Werner Heisenberg leitet Ernst Peter Fischer sein Buch über die "zweite Erschaffung der Welt" ein. Seiner Auffassung nach nehmen wir diesen einfachen und an sich selbstverständlichen Satz nicht zur Kenntnis und ernst, wie die Naturforscher mit ihren naturwissenschaftlichen und medizinischen Erträgen seit dem 17. Jahrhundert maßgeblich ihr und damit unser aller gegenwärtiges Leben geprägt und praktisch gestaltet haben. Er schreibt: "Tatsächlich ist es so, dass sich europäische Gesellschaften - nicht zuletzt die deutsche - im frühen 21. Jahrhundert nahezu vollständig und unumkehrbar in Abhängigkeit von wissenschaftlich-technischen Fortschritten etwa bei der Ressourcennutzung, der Energiegewinnung, der Krankenversorgung oder der Kommunikation entfaltet haben. Und ihre Geschichte - ihr Vorwärtsstreben in die derzeitige Lage und ihr Aussehen - kann man nur verstehen, wenn man die dazugehörige Dynamik berücksichtigt, wenn man also die Geschichte der Wissenschaften und der mit ihren Kenntnissen möglichen Technik zur Kenntnis nimmt, die in ihrer relevanten und aktuellen Form im frühen 17. Jahrhundert begonnen und den europäischen Sonderweg zum Wohlstand bereitet hat, den viele Millionen Menschen ganz selbstverständlich in wachsender Zahl genießen, ohne zu fragen, woher er kommt und welchen Ideen sie ihn zu verdanken haben."
Wild: A gripping rainforest adventure from the multi award-winning author of Refugee 8 7
by Ele FountainA moving, page-turning novel about a family's grief and the crisis afflicting the rainforest, from the prize-winning author of Refugee 87Ever since Jack's dad died, he's had a heavy feeling inside. The pressure keeps building. Looking for release, he starts skiving school and hanging around with a group who like to cause trouble. It's easy to hide his new habits from his mum, an environmental anthropologist, because she's too busy with work and conservation trips to notice.As Jack spins further out of control, his mum eventually becomes concerned – and shocks him by suggesting a trip together.But this will be no relaxing holiday. Soon Jack finds himself on an expedition deep into the rainforest, far from anything he's ever known. He wanted an adventure – but has he plunged into real danger?
Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain
by Amy JeffsBy the bestselling author of Storyland.Sheer cliffs, salt spray, explosive sea spume, thunderous clouds, icy waves, whales with mountains on their backs, sleet, bitter winds, bleak, impenetrable marshes, howling wolves, forests, the unceasing cries of birds and the death grip of subterranean vaults that have never seen the sun: these are wild landscapes of a world almost familiar.In Wild, Amy Jeffs journeys - on foot and through medieval texts - from landscapes of desolation to hope, offering the reader an insight into a world at once distant and profoundly close to home. The seven chapters, entitled Earth, Ocean, Forest, Beast, Fen, Catastrophe, Paradise, open with fiction and close with reflection. They blend reflections of travels through fen, forest and cave, with retelling of medieval texts that offer rich depictions of the natural world. From the Old English elegies to the englynion and immrama of the Celtic world - stories that largely represent figures whose voices are not generally heard in the corpus of medieval literature: women, outcasts, animals.Illustrated with original wood engravings, evoking an atmospheric world of whales, wolves, caves, cuckoos and reeds, Wild: Tales From Early Medieval Britain will leave readers feeling 'westendream': delight in the wilderness.
Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain
by Amy JeffsFrom the bestselling author of Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain comes a book that will reconnect, engross and indulge readers in wild landscapes and pause to reflect on our current position and relationship with nature. This unique audiobook features 7 original songs - musical illustrations composed and performed by the author and her collaborators.Sheer cliffs, salt spray, explosive sea spume, thunderous clouds, icy waves, whales with mountains on their backs, sleet, bitter winds, bleak, impenetrable marshes, howling wolves, forests, the unceasing cries of birds and the death grip of subterranean vaults that have never seen the sun: these are wild landscapes of a world almost familiar. In Wild, Amy Jeffs journeys - on foot and through medieval texts - from landscapes of desolation to hope, offering the reader an insight into a world at once distant and profoundly close to home. The seven chapters, entitled Earth, Ocean, Forest, Beast, Fen, Catastrophe, Paradise, open with fiction and close with reflection. They blend reflections of travels through fen, forest and cave, with retelling of medieval texts that offer rich depictions of the natural world. From the Old English elegies to the englynion and immrama of the Celtic world - stories that largely represent figures whose voices are not generally heard in the corpus of medieval literature: women, outcasts, animals. All songs written by Amy Jeffs except for Colours, written by Robbie Haylett.1. All Alone (Hos) 2. The Seafarer 3. Sweeney 4. The Whale 5. Wulf 6. Colours 7. Island of BirdsArrangements by Robbie Haylett. Performances by Amy Jeffs, Robbie Haylett, Stephen Wilkinson, Christina Riedl, Will Rumney, Chris Keelty and Natalie Brice. (P) 2022 Quercus Editions Limited
Wild
by Alex MalloryCade, a teen raised alone in the wilderness, is thrust into civilization in this modern retelling of Tarzan.No one knows the forest better than Cade, who has spent his entire life there, foraging, hunting, and surviving. Raised to believe no one else is left in the world, he is shocked when he encounters Dara, a modern girl on a camping trip in his woods. And when an accident forces him back into society with her, he begins to question his entire life. Together, Cade and Dara attempt to handle their newfound celebrity as the media closes in. But the truth of Cade's past might be too much for either of them.Alex Mallory's action-packed and romantic tale is told from both Cade's and Dara's point of view and is perfect for fans of contemporary and dystopian YA as well as classic survival stories such as Hatchet, Lord of the Flies, and Tarzan.
Wild: Poems
by Ben OkriA rich, joyful collection of poems on living and loving from the Booker Prize–winning author.Freedom is the most precious commodity in the world. In this powerful collection, the celebrated novelist, essayist, dramatist, and poet Ben Okri explores the beauty contained in each one of us—the freedom of our spirit, the child within. He recalls the death of his father, the sacrifices of his mother, the hidden river of Edinburgh, falling in love. He writes about Virgil and Mozambique, about ringing the bell for freedom, the dreams of Calliope and the full moon. He enters the fifth circle, sings of the roses of spring, and aligns the pyramids to the magic stars.This is a gorgeous, exciting collection for everyone who loves Ben Okri&’s vibrant style, and a perfect introduction to new readers of his poetry.
Wild Again
by David S. JachowskiThis engaging personal account of one of America's most contested wildlife conservation campaigns has as its central character the black-footed ferret. Once feared extinct, and still one of North America's rarest mammals, the black-footed ferret exemplifies the ecological, social, and political challenges of conservation in the West, including the risks involved with intensive captive breeding and reintroduction to natural habitat. David Jachowski draws on more than a decade of experience working to save the ferret. His unique perspective and informative anecdotes reveal the scientific and human aspects of conservation as well as the immense dedication required to protect a species on the edge of extinction. By telling one story of conservation biology in practice--its routine work, triumphs, challenges, and inevitable conflicts--this book gives readers a greater understanding of the conservation ethic that emerged on the Great Plains as part of one of the most remarkable recovery efforts in the history of the Endangered Species Act.
Wild Alchemy: An astro-botanical guide to the magic, myth and medicine of plants
by Jemma FosterWild Alchemy is a culinary and medicinal bible that brings together traditional alchemical practices with plant lore. Alchemy is the ancient art of transforming nature for the benefit of body, mind and soul. This book is an invitation to connect back to ourselves, and rediscover how our ancestors lived in harmony with the seasons by foraging for food and medicine. Through illustrated botanical and astrological guides and practical recipes, Wild Alchemy takes the reader on a journey of enquiry to become alchemists in our daily lives.
Wild Alchemy: An astro-botanical guide to the magic, myth and medicine of plants
by Jemma FosterWild Alchemy is a culinary and medicinal bible that brings together traditional alchemical practices with plant lore. Alchemy is the ancient art of transforming nature for the benefit of body, mind and soul. This book is an invitation to connect back to ourselves, and rediscover how our ancestors lived in harmony with the seasons by foraging for food and medicine. Through illustrated botanical and astrological guides and practical recipes, Wild Alchemy takes the reader on a journey of enquiry to become alchemists in our daily lives.
Wild and Free Nature: 25 Outdoor Adventures for Kids to Explore, Discover, and Awaken Their Curiosity (Wild and Free)
by Ainsley ArmentThe companion to The Call of the Wild + Free: styled in the lush aesthetic of the Wild + Free brand, a four-color book offering outdoor activities and essays, that parents, educators, and caregivers can use to inspire their children.Wild and Free Nature is a beautiful, four-color resource book for parents, educators, and caregivers to enjoy doing hands-on activities outside with kids. One of the core philosophies behind Wild + Free is the belief that nature is the best classroom we could ever hope for. It unlocks the imagination and inspires creativity in ways that a schoolroom never could.Being out in nature has a number of benefits. Studies show that children are more likely to interact with kids of different ages and learn to problem solve in natural settings. Being in natural settings stimulates the brain and restores cognitive function. Children who spend time in natural settings also interact better with kids of all ages and learn to solve problems more easily. They build muscle and coordination and fend off obesity. It cultivates a sense of responsibility for caring for the earth, not to mention, encourages imaginative play, curiosity, and other qualities necessary to spark a love for investigation and learning.This resource book will help equip parents and adults who work with children to get them outdoors with activities such as:Build a treehouse in the woods.Cultivate a garden plot.Make land art and nature crafts.Create a mud kitchen in the backyard.Go for a nature walk each morning.Find a secret swimming hole.Go to the creek to learn about the water cycle.Plant a garden to see what will grow in your backyard.Raise monarch caterpillars and feed them milkweed until they transform into butterflies.Set up a birdwatching station in your front window equipped with binoculars, notebooks, and bird guides.Make a wilderness fort with the fallen branches from trees. With the same lush photography as The Call of the Wild + Free, this book includes step-by-step pictures that show parents how to do the activity, and essays on the importance of nature in a child's life.