Overview

A compelling call to action to focus on what connects us in nature to solve today's problems. In nature, everything is connected: from microscopic bacteria and soaring trees to animals struggling for survival amid thriving humanity. Yet many of today's toughest problems, from environmental destruction to divisive politics, stem from fundamental disconnections. In Intertwined, science writer Michael Gross explains how the natural world can be a powerful reminder of our interdependence. Using examples based on recent scientific discoveries across a broad range of ecosystems and species, Gross shares important—and often surprising—stories about the sophisticated web of connections in nature. From plant cooperation to turtle communication, he highlights crucial lessons we can apply to solve complex problems caused by human disturbances to these connections. Gross provides ample evidence of the far-reaching impacts of both natural and anthropogenic phenomena, from coevolution and nutrient cycles to species domestication and extinction. We live in a complex world endangered by simplistic thinking, as the escalating climate crisis and loss of biodiversity demonstrate. To address these issues, we must recognize the wonder and ubiquity of the self-regulating network that enables life on Earth. These thought-provoking stories from nature illustrate why it is so vital to respect and protect the connections that tie us to our world and each other.

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9781421449975

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Nestled near the middle of Intertwined is the cleverly and chillingly titled chapter, ""This Time, the Asteroid Is Us,"" which warns that the next mass extinction event on Earth will likely be of our own doing. Science writer Gross elucidates how human activity is increasingly disruptive and destructive to the planet's biosphere, in which ecosystems are extensively connected. —Booklist

Author Information

Michael Gross (OXFORD, UK) is a science writer who has published in many magazines and journals, including Current Biology. He is the coauthor of Astrobiology: A Brief Introduction and the translator and editor of Lust and Love: Is It More than Chemistry?

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