In 'The Sixth Extinction,' Elizabeth Kolbert presents a compelling narrative about the ongoing mass extinction event caused by human activity. Through vivid storytelling and scientific research, she explores the alarming consequences of climate change, habitat loss, and the introduction of invasive species. Kolbert leads readers on a global journey, interacting with scientists and examining endangered species across various ecosystems. The book raises urgent questions about humanity's role in this ecological crisis and challenges us to reconsider our impact on the planet. Will we act in time to avert a future where biodiversity is all but lost?
By Elizabeth Kolbert
Published: 2015
"The Earth is undergoing its sixth mass extinction, and unlike the previous five, this one is caused by human activity."
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST A major book about the future of the world, blending intellectual and natural history and field reporting into a powerful account of the mass extinction unfolding before our eyes Over the last half-billion years, there have been Five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are currently monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. This time around, the cataclysm is us. In prose that is at once frank, entertaining, and deeply informed, New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert tells us why and how human beings have altered life on the planet in a way no species has before. Interweaving research in half a dozen disciplines, descriptions of the fascinating species that have already been lost, and the history of extinction as a concept, Kolbert provides a moving and comprehensive account of the disappearances occurring before our very eyes. She shows that the sixth extinction is likely to be mankind's most lasting legacy, compelling us to rethink the fundamental question of what it means to be human.
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“The Earth is undergoing its sixth mass extinction, and unlike the previous five, this one is caused by human activity.”
The Sixth Extinction
By Elizabeth Kolbert
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Elizabeth Kolbert is an acclaimed American journalist and author, best known for her insightful coverage of environmental issues and climate change. A staff writer for The New Yorker, she has gained recognition for her ability to blend scientific research with compelling narrative. Kolbert is the author of several notable works, including "Field Notes from a Catastrophe," "The Sixth Extinction," which won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, and "Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future." Her writing style is characterized by its clarity, rigorous reporting, and a deep commitment to examining the unfolding effects of human activity on the planet.
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