Examines what would happen to the natural world if humans were gone, describing how nature would reclaim the planet and why taking care of the Earth now is so important.

Water is the most common, and also the most important substance on Earth. We are hypnotically attracted to its simplicity, purity and transparency, as well as its astonishing physical behaviour, strucural vibrations and ordered flow, not to mention its amazing therapeutic virtues. Despite its prevalence, however, this astonishing molecule still harbours many mysteries. Through the ages, not only scientists but also philosophers and mystics have sought...

"Classic fairytales get a refreshing satirical twist in this collection of illustrated stories in which gnomes, pixies, and other fairy folk share tall tales of the strange and unbelievable human world and its inhabitants. Brimming with keen observations and wild assumptions on human anatomy, customs, languages, rituals, dwellings, and more, The Land of Stone Flowers is as absurd as it is astounding, examining contradictory and nonsensical human behaviors...

"When homo sapiens made their entrance 100,000 years ago they were confronted by a wide range of other early humans--homo erectus, who walked better and used fire; homo habilis who used tools; and of course the Neanderthals, who were brawny and strong. But shortly after their arrival, something happened that vaulted the species forward and made them the indisputable masters of the planet. This book is devoted to revealing just what that difference...

America's favorite home humorist, Erma Bombeck, has the uncanny ability to transform the trivialities of everyday American life into rich, witty stories that capture the imagination and tickle the funnybone. In this best-selling collection of hilarious tidbits, she turns her talents to the animal kingdom: the behavioral patterns of the creatures in the wild and the couple in the duplex next door.

"On the Tibetan Plateau, there are wild yaks with blood cells thinner than those of horses' by half, enabling the endangered yaks to survive at 40 below zero and in the lowest oxygen levels of the mountaintops. But climate change is causing the snow patterns here to shift, and with the snows, the entire ecosystem. Food and water are vaporizing in this warming environment, and these beasts of ice and thin air are extraordinarily ill-equipped for the...

An easy-to-understand overview of the state of our planet and its future, using eye-opening and accessible charts, graphs, and infographics.

"Studies warn that global warming and sea level rise will create hundreds of millions of environmental refugees. While climate change will undoubtedly affect future migration patterns and behavior, the potential outcomes are far more complex than the environmental refugee scenario suggests. This book provides a comprehensive review of how physical and human processes interact to shape migration, using simple diagrams and models to guide the researcher,...