News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

Economics viewed through nature-tinted glasses, the biggest and most impactful volcanic eruptions and the ever present climate change are all discussed in this latest batch of books on the environment.

Making our place : exploring land-use tensions in Aotearoa New Zealand / co-edited by Jacinta Ruru, Janet Stephenson, Mick Abbott.
“Fascination with the interplay of people and place inspired the editors to bring together New Zealanders from differing backgrounds and disciplines to explore some of the stories and sites of conflict and change to be found amongst our sacred, historic, rural, urban and coastal landscapes. All engage with the underlying question: are there better ways to reconcile the tensions inherent in our struggles with the land and each other? Issues fundamental to identity are placed at centre stage: indigenous rights and restitution, development and conservation, claiming and naming.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Eruptions that shook the world / Clive Oppenheimer.
“A spellbinding exploration of the history’s greatest volcanic events and their impacts on the history of humankind.” “Fire & brimstone: how volcanoes work ‘Some volcanos are in a state of incessant eruption; some, on the contrary, remain for centuries in a condition of total outward inertness, and return again to the same state of apparent extinction after a single vivid eruption of short duration; while others exhibit an infinite variety of phases intermediate between the extreme of vivacity and sluggishness.’” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The wealth of nature : economics as if survival mattered / John Michael Greer.
“John Michael Greer has re-thought economics, starting from its fundamental premises, giving it a basis in ecological reality rather than political fiction… The result is perhaps the most important and readable book on economics since Small Is Beautiful. Richard Heinberg, author of The End of Growth. Building on the Foundations of E.F. Schumacher’s revolutionary “economics as if people mattered,” The Wealth of Nature examines the true cost of confusing money with wealth.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Our dying planet : an ecologist’s view of the crisis we face / Peter F. Sale.
“Marine ecologist Sale (asst. director, Coastal Program, United Nations Univ.; Coral Reef Fishes: Dynamics and Diversity in a Complex Ecosystem) pulls no punches as he addresses the impact of overfishing, deforestation, and the emission of greenhouse gases on the environment in general and on coral reefs in particular – the first ecosystem poised to become extinct according to his projections. He draws us into his life’s work by sharing personal reflections, explaining key concepts – many of which are familiar but are perhaps not thoroughly understood by nonscientists – placing critical issues in historical context, and suggesting courses of action, such as sustainable management. – Robin K. Dillow” – (adapted from Library Journal summary)

Upside / Bradley R.E. Wright.
“It’s easy to get discouraged or feel paralyzed by what you hear about the terrible state of the world. But what if the media and other prophets of doom have misled us? Could the world actually be getting better? The answers… and the facts behind them… may surprise you: Extreme poverty has been cut in half since the 1980s, in developing countries. Life expectancy has doubled around the world over the last 100 years. Literacy rates have soared from 25% to over 80% over the same period. Sociologist Brad Wright uses the best available data to uncover the truth about the world’s most important issues, including poverty, sickness, education, morality, and the environment. While admitting there is still work to be done, he shines a light on why so many things are improving and why no one is talking about it.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Biological diversity : exploiters and exploited / Paul Hatcher and Nick Battey.
“Offering a fresh approach to biology, the authors (both of the U. of Reading, UK) invite study of the living world in a manner that fundamentally integrates human interactions. The presentation focuses on 18 groups of organisms, arranged in sections on exploiters and exploited (although the authors suggest this division is somewhat arbitrary and some could logically be put in either group). They study both plants and animals, using particular cases as a means of investigating diversity and inter-relationships…” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Growth misconduct? : avoiding sprawl and improving urban intensification in New Zealand / edited by Karen Witten, Wokje Abrahamse & Keriata Stuart.
“New Zealand’s population is expected to grow by one million people in the next 20 years. The arrival of ‘peak oil’ and accumulating evidence of climate change force us to reconsider the way we grow our cities. This book provides insights into the multifaceted practice of urban intensification. It highlights both the promise and the limitations of planning models such as smart growth and new urbanism in New Zealand cities. Growth Misconduct? is intended to further our knowledge, spark debate and help us think critically about ways to create livable, beautiful, environmentally sustainable and prosperous cities…” – (adapted from Publisher’s description)

The atlas of climate change : mapping the world’s greatest challenge / Kirstin Dow and Thomas E. Downing.” Since the first edition of this highly acclaimed Atlas was published in 2006 (it won the ‘Planeta Environment Book of the Year’), climate change has climbed even further up the global agenda.
This new edition features:- The outcomes of the negotiations at the UNFCC conference in Copenhagen- The latest developments in climate change research and data on its impacts around the world- New coverage of the role played by the world’s oceans- Estimates of the economic impact of climate change- Updated maps and graphics wherever data is available.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The atlas of birds : diversity, behavior, and conservation / Mike Unwin.
From the publisher. The Atlas of Birds captures the breathtaking diversity of birds, and illuminates their conservation status around the world. Full-color maps show where birds are found, both by country and terrain, and reveal how an astounding variety of behavioral adaptations — from flight and feeding to nest building and song — have enabled them to thrive in virtually every habitat on Earth…” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Global energy transformation : four necessary steps to make clean energy the next success story / Mats Larsson.
“Over the next few years, political and financial power will move in the direction of individuals, companies and nations that are able to use energy in a more efficient way. This book describes this challenge and presents a way forward by which we may achieve the goal of increased energy efficiency in the different areas that need to change.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)