The Imperative


Book Description

.."". a more compelling reading of Kant than any I have ever seen."" --David Farrell Krell In this provocative book, Alphonso Lingis argues that not only our thought is governed by an imperative, as Kant had maintained, but, rather, our sensual, sensing, perceiving, and emotional life is continually regulated by imperatives that come to us from the world around us. Through a series of phenomenological sketches drawn from life experiences, Lingis shows that there are directives in the natural world and in our interactions with others that govern our thought and behavior.




National Imperatives for Earth Science Research


Book Description




Rainforests of the World


Book Description

This authoritative volume examines the reasons for rainforest destruction, the effects of deforestation on indigenous plant and animal life, and the policies and actions that are currently being taken to protect rainforests. Rainforests of the World covers everything from the basic biology and chemistry of rainforests and their geographic location to problems, controversies, and solutions. A section highlights people and events like Gifford Pinchot, Lester Brown, Anita Roddick, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and the Kyoto Protocol. The documents provided include the Declaration of Curitiba, the Indigenous People's Declaration, and the North American Free Trade Agreement. The book includes a chronology, charts, tables, and graphs on rainforest destruction; a list of groups working to protect rainforests; an extensive annotated bibliography; and other references.




Rainforest Restoration Manual for South-Eastern Australia


Book Description

Rainforest Restoration Manual for South-Eastern Australia is the definitive guide to the recovery and restoration of Subtropical, Warm Temperate, Cool Temperate, Gallery, Dry, Dry Gully and Littoral Rainforests from south-eastern Queensland to Tasmania. All of these rainforest types were inherently rare prior to settlement, and today with depletion, feral animals, weeds and climate change, all are threatened – with many listed under state and federal legislation. The manual presents detailed restoration methods in 10 easy-to-follow steps, documenting the research and trials undertaken during rainforest restoration over more than two decades. These experiments and their results will empower readers to uncover answers to many of the problems they could encounter. The manual is supported by a CD that provides important background information, with 32 appendices, a propagation manual for the region's 735 rainforest plants, an illustrated glossary and resources for teachers. Species lists and specific planting guides are provided for the 57 rainforest floristic communities that occur from the coast to the mountains between Durras Mountain in New South Wales and the Otways in Victoria. Extensively illustrated with colour photographs, this book will empower you or your group to be able to restore, manage, protect and conserve the magnificent rainforests that are in your care. The general principles and techniques described will meet the needs of students and teachers, novices, experienced practitioners, community groups and agencies alike.




The Intemperate Rainforest


Book Description

Braun (geography, U. of Minnesota) provides a new viewpoint on the complex cultural, political, and intellectual forces involved in the forest policies of British Columbia. Employing poststructuralist theory and using the 1993 protests over logging in Clayoquot Sound as his starting point, Braun assesses the colonial thinking behind 19th- century forest policies, the struggles of native peoples to regain their spaces, the assertion of so-called rational forest management as a new version of colonialism, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee's use of nature photography to promote their notion of pristine wilderness, ecotourism, and the continued impact of the vision of early 20th-century painter Emily Carr. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)




Biotic Diversity and Germplasm Preservation, Global Imperatives


Book Description

Topics for the Beltsville Symposia are selected to highlight specific areas of research and science policy that are of concern to scientists in the Beltsville Area as well as to the general scientific community. Each sympo sium in the series is structured to provide a realistic appraisal of current findings, research progress, and relevant policy issues within the constraints established by the organizing committee. Thus, the presentations and dis cussions that have marked these symposia have had a strong appeal to the broad community of scientists. Knowledge of the diversity of living organisms is still quite limited. Since the time of Linnaeus, about 1.7 million species have been described. The actual number has been estimated between 5-50 million. Many species, land races, and strains are vanishing. Clearly, the world's scientific institutions are inadequately equipped to attain sufficient knowledge of a significant fraction of the diverse living forms. Also, efforts in the collection and preservation of germplasm of plants and animals urgently need to be strengthened. These mattes are critically important to future generations. This symposium addresses vital concerns of biotic diversity and germ plasm preservation from diverse perspectives. Many of the parts provide concrete recommendations for action, and they call attention to areas of research that must be pursued with intensity.




What We Learned in the Rainforest


Book Description

What We Learned in the Rainforest presents a surprising new business principle: by applying strategies and practices gleaned from nature-by emulating what it once sought to conquer-business can adapt rapidly to changing market conditions and attain greater and more sustainable profits. With clear, direct language and dozens of real-world examples, Kiuchi and Shireman show how a company can become a complex living system that doesn't merely balance competing interests but truly integrates them. Examples from leading companies include: How Coca-Cola CEO Doug Daft uses diversity to drive sales How Intel founder Gordon Moore creates profit by design How Bill Coors builds businesses on the theory that "all waste is lost profit" How Shell profits as an industrial ecosystem What Weyerhaeuser and activists learned from each other How Dow earns 300% returns, and Dupont builds market share with eco-effectiveness, and more This book shows that the old model of business-the machine model that pitted business against nature-is growing obsolete. In the emerging economy, businesses excel when they emulate what they once sought to conquer. They maximize performance as they become like nature, like a complex living system. By moving beyond the industrial machine model, and applying the dynamic principles of the rainforest instead, business can learn how to create more profit than ever, and to do so more sustainably. Written by two would-be "arch enemies"-a hard-nosed CEO of a major corporation and a dedicated environmentalist-this book doesn't just balance competing interests, it integrates them into a truly revolutionary new paradigm. Kiuchi and Shireman present numerous real-world examples from leading companies-business strategies and management practices that maximize business performance by all measures: economic, social, and environmental. They illustrate the powerful business model provided by nature for driving innovation, increasing profit, spurring growth, and ensuring sustainability.




Uncommon Ground: Rethinking the Human Place in Nature


Book Description

This collection of essays historicizes the divorce of the 'natural' from the human, and shows that 'nature' is a human construction, arguing that what we have constructed we can reconstruct.




The Amazon Expedition


Book Description

Embark on an awe-inspiring journey into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where adventure and discovery converge in a quest for a hidden city lost to time. In "The Amazon Expedition: A Search for a Hidden City," you'll become a part of an extraordinary adventure led by a diverse team of explorers and indigenous tribes. Deep within the world's largest tropical rainforest lies a mystery that has tantalized the imagination for centuries-a fabled city, Yseldora, hidden amidst the lush foliage and ancient trees. This enigmatic place, rumored to hold not only untold riches but also profound wisdom, has remained concealed from the modern world, guarded by the spirits of the jungle. Follow the intrepid expedition team, each member possessing unique skills and knowledge, as they navigate treacherous rivers, untamed wilderness, and face the perils of the rainforest. Alongside them are indigenous guides who bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern exploration, offering insights into the spiritual significance of the jungle and the interconnectedness of all life within it. Through immersive storytelling, you'll experience the breathtaking beauty of the Amazon-the cacophony of wildlife, the vibrant flora, and the lush landscapes that stretch endlessly before you. You'll encounter rare and elusive creatures, witness the resilience of indigenous tribes, and witness the power of unity among people of diverse backgrounds. But this journey is not just an adventure; it's a mission to protect the Amazon and its fragile balance. As the team uncovers the secrets of Yseldora and the wisdom of the lost civilization, they will confront ruthless adversaries who seek to exploit the rainforest's resources. Betrayal, danger, and a relentless battle to protect the Hidden City will test their courage and resolve. "The Amazon Expedition" is a compelling narrative that delves into the mysteries of the rainforest, the importance of biodiversity, and the enduring connection between humanity and nature. It showcases the legacy of a team that defied the odds to safeguard the Amazon's future, and it beckons readers to become stewards of this vital ecosystem. Join the expedition, immerse yourself in the heart of the jungle, and discover the profound legacy of those who dared to venture into the unknown. "The Amazon Expedition: A Search for a Hidden City" is a testament to the wonders of the natural world, the resilience of indigenous cultures, and the unyielding determination to protect one of Earth's greatest treasures.




Effects of Land-Use Change on Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations


Book Description

Roger C. Dahlman Environmental Sciences Division U.S. Department of Energy Washington, D.C. The potential for humans to alter Earth's atmosphere has been recognized since the end of the 19th century when Arrhenius estimated that a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide could alter the atmospheric radiation balance and raise average global temperature. Today, atmospheric CO concentrations play an important part in the 2 climate-change debate. Sources and sinks of CO associated with land use can be 2 significant determinants of the rate and magnitude of atmospheric CO change. 2 Combustion of fossil fuels and the deforestation associated with land-use change both contribute CO to the atmosphere; in contrast, biological processes on land create 2 potential sinks for the excess CO . Thus, land-use change and associated biological 2 processes become important elements in assessments of future atmospheric CO 2 increase; land-cover properties also affect the Earth's albedo, which is a climate feedback.