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Why Forests? Why Now?: The Science, Economics, and Politics of Tropical Forests and Climate Change
Tropical forests are an undervalued asset in meeting the greatest global challenges of our time—averting climate change and promoting development. Despite their importance, tropical forests and their ecosystems are being destroyed at a high and even increasing rate in most forest-rich countries. The good news is that the science, economics, and politics are aligned to support a major international effort over the next five years to reverse tropical deforestation. Why Forests? Why Now? synthesizes the latest evidence on the importance of tropical forests in a way that is accessible to anyone interested in climate change and development and to readers already familiar with the problem of deforestation. It makes the case to decisionmakers in rich countries that rewarding developing countries for protecting their forests is urgent, affordable, and achievable.
429 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2015
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March 11, 2017
Disconcerting and puzzling disconnects remain in human mind and behavior when it comes to acknowledging certain critical truths. We retain an exquisitely creative capacity for denying death, for instance, having cultivated a myriad of ways to do so while sitting comfortably on the living room couch, just behind a snack tray with remote control in hand.
The evidence for climate change has already arrived and there is clearly an irreversible component in its trajectory as evidenced by unprecedented hurricanes, flooding, erosion and fires. We have been told the time to act is now and the opportunity is time sensitive. Seymour's book explains why eloquently.
In fact, with respect to the science of forestry, its importance and politics, there is no better comprehensive assessment and reference.
The ecology and economics are not simple. Seymour discusses science in plain language and uses contemporary examples as well as appropriate historical precedent. The book relates a people's history of select world communities. What happened in North East Brazil made for a fascinating read in itself (Chapter 7). The text in that way is both accessible and remarkable for informational content, holding even greater import in the context of current political drama. This is a global ecology textbook for the people, and should satisfy both scholar and layman. It imparts a clear urgent message: We need to get up off our couch.
The evidence for climate change has already arrived and there is clearly an irreversible component in its trajectory as evidenced by unprecedented hurricanes, flooding, erosion and fires. We have been told the time to act is now and the opportunity is time sensitive. Seymour's book explains why eloquently.
In fact, with respect to the science of forestry, its importance and politics, there is no better comprehensive assessment and reference.
The ecology and economics are not simple. Seymour discusses science in plain language and uses contemporary examples as well as appropriate historical precedent. The book relates a people's history of select world communities. What happened in North East Brazil made for a fascinating read in itself (Chapter 7). The text in that way is both accessible and remarkable for informational content, holding even greater import in the context of current political drama. This is a global ecology textbook for the people, and should satisfy both scholar and layman. It imparts a clear urgent message: We need to get up off our couch.
Displaying 1 of 1 review