Carl N. McDaniel

At the Mercy of Nature

The author profiles the work of eight visionaries who have dedicated their lives to various environmental issues. Each story provides a portrait of an individual's valiant and inspiring campaign to improve the conditions for life on our planet. Taken together, the work of these people points the way toward creating an ecologically centered civilization in which a brighter future for all life, including human, is possible. *Terri Swearingen takes on one of the world's largest hazardous waste incinerators burning toxic waste next door to an elementary school. *Stephen Schneider establishes the scientific basis for climate change *Herman Daly advocates a dynamic steady-state economy that respects the laws of nature and human behavior. *David Orr champions educational reform to make universities a place where students learn how to be environmentally aware citizens *Werner Fornos works toward empowering every person with the knowledge and means to decide when and how many children to have *Helena Norberg-Hodge champions local living with appropriate technologies to enhance our spiritual and ecological well-being. *Wes Jackson promotes sustainable agriculture based on local ecology and community values *Dave Foreman leads the effort to rewild almost half of North America with wolves, mountain lions, jaguars, falcons, and others to restore functional ecosystems and preserve biodiversity

The Visionary Work of Terri Swearingen, Dave Foreman, Wes Jackson, Helena Norberg-Hodge, Werner Forn

Wisdom for a Livable Planet

Richard I. Greyson

Plant development is generally regarded as a strictly descriptive study of the anatomy/morphology of a selected plant organ. Recently, a new synthesis has emerged that attempts to integrate genetics, physiology, and embryology. Greyson presents this more realistic view of plant development, and begins with an outline of the contents of the book. Chapters describe the more realistic development view of the angiosperm flower and its lifecycle, photoperiodic induction, and evocation and floral initiation, all written by Carl N. McDaniel. The next three chapters present what is known about the development of the dicot perianth, androecium, and gynoecium. A chapter on the development of monocot (grass) flower and inflorescences follows. A final chapter brings the divergent research data together, with suggestions for the most profitable areas for future investigation. A well-written book that draws information from many very divergent publications, and an excellent first book in this still-developing area. Upper-division undergraduate through professional. J. Dawson; Pittsburg State University--Choice Reviews.

The Development of Flowers

John M. Gowdy

The grim history of Nauru Island, a small speck in the Pacific Ocean halfway between Hawaii and Australia, represents a larger story of environmental degradation and economic dysfunction. For more than 2,000 years traditional Nauruans, isolated from the rest of the world, lived in social and ecological stability. But in 1900 the discovery of phosphate, an absolute requirement for agriculture, catapulted Nauru into the world market. Colonial imperialists who occupied Nauru and mined it for its lucrative phosphate resources devastated the island, which forever changed its native people. In 1968 Nauruans regained rule of their island and immediately faced a conundrum: to pursue a sustainable future that would protect their truly valuable natural resources—the biological and physical integrity of their island—or to mine and sell the remaining forty-year supply of phosphate and in the process make most of their home useless. They did the latter. In a captivating and moving style, the authors describe how the island became one of the richest nations in the world and how its citizens acquired all the ills of modern life: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension. At the same time, Nauru became 80 percent mined-out ruins that contain severely impoverished biological communities of little value in supporting human habitation. This sad tale highlights the dire consequences of a free-market economy, a system in direct conflict with sustaining the environment. In presenting evidence for the current mass extinction, the authors argue that we cannot expect to preserve biodiversity or support sustainable habitation, because our economic operating principles are incompatible with these activities.

A Parable of Nature

Paradise for Sale

Trail Magic is the story of one family's success in building an affordable home that runs on sunshine. They succeeded by building a home that produces energy, food and well-being - within the cost of average construction. Written by Carl McDaniel, a biologist, who with his wife Mary, and with many colleagues, accomplished what any new home builder can do: build wisely, environmentally and economically, all the while maintaining sanity. This book raises the bar of what we can accomplish in new home building: a home for the present and sustainable future. Told with humor and frankness, Trail Magic shares the ups and downs, and ins and outs of the story of design, construction, and the first several years of living in a new home. It describes conversations with designers, builders, suppliers and the many individuals that are part of a significant accomplishment: a model environmental home that prospective home owner and builder can replicate.

Carl N. McDaniel

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