25 Myths That Are Destroying the Environment: What Many Environmentalists Believe and Why They Are Wrong

by Daniel B. Botkin, Alfred Runte (Foreword by)

Overview

For decades, environmental scientist and conservationist Daniel Botkin has studied the world around us. He has traveled the globe observing nature and the human impact on the environment, and now he has collected his keen observations into this accessible and informative book. 25 Myths That Are Destroying the Environment explores the many myths circulating in both ecological and political discussions. These myths often drive policy and opinion, and Botkin is here to set the record straight. What may seem like an environmentally conscious action on one hand may very well be bringing about the unnatural destruction of habitats and ecosystems. Topics include: - Is life really that fragile? - Is consensus science? - Are recent weather patterns truly proof of long term weather change? -Are wildfires really all that bad? -Are predators absolutely necessary to control populations of other species? In a world awash in misleading or false information about the environment, Daniel Botkin has written a straightforward and concise examination of the biggest myths hurting conservation efforts today. Written in a clear manner that dissects each myth one by one, 25 Myths That Are Destroying the Environment offers readers an informative guide to navigating discussions on environmental issues. If our society is to sustain the environment around us for future generations, solving environmental problems by understanding how nature works is not just helpful, it's necessary.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442244924
Publisher:	Taylor Trade Publishing
Publication date:	10/15/2016
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Daniel B. Botkin is an ecologist who has been conducting and writing about ecological research for 45 years. After hearing so many false or flawed statements passed off as fact, he decided to write this book in order to help readers achieve a more complete understanding of their environment.

Table of Contents

Foreword Alfred Runte ix

Introduction: Science, Religion, and Folkways xiii

Myth 1 We Are the Only Species That Has Ever Had Global Effects on the Environment 1

Myth 2 Life Is Fragile, Requires Specific Conditions, and Can't Adjust Easily to Change 9

Myth 3 Extinction Is Unnatural and Bad, but Easy to Accomplish 19

Myth 4 The Balance of Nature Exists and Dominates All Life and All Environments 35

Myth 5 The Balance of Nature Is the Best and Only Condition for All Life 49

Myth 6 Beauty in Nature Only Happens in Areas Completely Undisturbed by Us 57

Myth 7 An Ecosystem Is Any Kind of Group, and a Biological Ecosystem Is a Fixed Group of Species 69

Myth 8 People Are Outside of Nature 77

Myth 9 The Only Reason to Conserve Nature: Every Species Has a Moral Right to Exist 85

Myth 10 People Have Changed the Environment Only Since the Industrial/Scientific Age 95

Myth 11 Without Human Interference, Earth's Climate Is Stable 103

Myth 12 People Are the Most Important Factor Determining Earth's Climate 111

Myth 13 Climate Change Will Lead to Huge Numbers of Extinctions 127

Myth 14 Recent Weather Is Proof of Long-Term Climate Change 139

Myth 15 Consensus Is Science 143

Myth 16 Computer Models Are True 153

Myth 17 All Populations Are Always Bound to Grow So Rapidly That They Exceed the Ability of Their Environment to Support Them and Then Go Extinct. This Will Be the Inevitable Fate of the Human Population 163

Myth 18 Predators Are Absolutely Necessary to Control the Populations of Their Prey 177

Myth 19 Maximum Sustainable Yields Are Possible for Fish and All Wildlife 189

Myth 20 We Can't Do Much about Environmental Risks-From Smaller Ones like a Local River Flooding to Large Ones like Hurricanes 199

Myth 21 Smokey Bear Is Right: Only You Can Prevent Wildfires 211

Myth 22 Forests Are an Important Place for Long-Term Carbon Storage 225

Myth 23 Solar and Wind Energy Require Huge Areas 235

Myth 24 Large-Scale Solar Energy Projects Work Only in Very Hot Climates 239

Myth 25 Compared to Climate Change, All Other Environmental Issues Are Minor 249

Final Overview 263

Endnotes 275