Nature's Genius
Evolution's Lessons for a Changing Planet
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Canongate Books
Publishing:8th May '25
£20.00
This title is due to be published on 8th May, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
A NEW SCIENTIST BEST POPULAR SCIENCE BOOK FOR 2025
'A book that shows how we might evolve to solve the problems we have caused our planet. Brilliantly written, surprising, inspiring and, ultimately, hopeful' ISABELLA TREE
For nearly four billion years, life on Earth has found new ways to adapt, reproduce and thrive, taking on new forms to meet the environment of the moment. Human impact on the planet, and the potentially devastating threat of climate change, have stressed that adaptability as never before. Yet life still finds a way. Animals, plants and insects rise to the challenge and are still adapting, reproducing and thriving, even in our rapidly transforming environment. In their example we may just find ways that we too can adapt, ways to stop the destruction we're causing to the planet.
In Nature's Genius David Farrier takes us on a profound journey into this ever-changing natural world. What we discover could transform us. The ways animals adjust to the urban landscape can help us design sustainable cities. Examining other intelligences can help us remake our economies. Learning from bacterial evolution may help solve our waste problem. Synthetic biology could rescue animals from the brink of extinction. Thinking in timescales of the natural world could help us choose a better future.
Life on Earth is changing; the question is, can we change with it? Can we remake the world to be fit for all life to thrive once more?
A fascinating, boundary-breaking, shape-shifting chimera of a book that shows how we might evolve to solve the problems we have caused our planet. Brilliantly written, surprising, inspiring and, ultimately, hopeful -- ISABELLA TREE
Nature's Genus is a wide-ranging work of energy, sensitivity and subtle intelligence that offers glimpses of genuine possibility and hope -- CASPAR HENDERSON
A book of hope and wonder. I learned something new and thought-provoking, even inspiring, on every page -- CAL FLYN
A wonderful exploration of nature's unrivalled ability to adapt to changing environments, and what we might belatedly learn from these interconnected ecosystems that we're also a part of as we navigate a more perilous Anthropocene. Full of fascinating details and insightful observations about the richly diverse behaviours and interactions of the world's extraordinary creatures -- GAIA VINCE
David Farrier argues that one day we will not only understand ecologies, but will be able to assemble them -- SIMON INGS * * New Scientist, 'Best Popular Science Books to Look for in 2025' * *
Praise for Footprints: 'A haunting study of the fossils that twenty-first-century life will leave behind * * Times Literary Supplement * *
A brilliant, unsettling book; a deep-time delving into our future fossils - an examination of what humans have inherited, and what we might leave as our long-term legacies upon - within - the Earth. Subtly thought and beautifully written -- ROBERT MACFARLANE
Fascinating peek into the deep future! Our distant ancestors left beautiful stone objects. What will we leave? Surprising answers! -- MARGARET ATWOOD, on Twitter
Farrier's prose glitters. His journey takes in marvels * * Economist * *
An oddly hopeful exploration of deep time and a world doing just fine without us * * New Scientist * *
ISBN: 9781837260539
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
320 pages
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