Driven to Extinction: The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity

by Richard Pearson

Overview

“A primer on one of the most contentious topics in modern ecology . . . an effective counter to misinformation elsewhere.” —Frontiers of Biogeography

Could more than a million species disappear in the twenty-first century?

Written by a leading scientist in the field, Driven to Extinction draws upon fascinating case studies from around the world, providing balanced and well-reasoned insight into the potential impacts of climate change on the diversity of life. Richard Pearson focuses on the science of the issue, revealing what has happened––as well as what is likely to happen––to some of the world’s weirdest and most wonderful species as global temperatures continue to rise.

“A nuanced and fascinating book about the interrelationship of two of the greatest challenges humanity will face in this century—holding climate change within manageable bounds and preserving biodiversity in the face of rapidly changing habitat and a changing climate.” —John Topping, President of the Climate Institute

“The ideal resource for citizens concerned about the dangers of climate change and the future of biodiversity.” —Spirituality & Practice

“A carefully crafted and highly readable analysis . . . devoid of jargon and excessive technical terminology, Pearson’s work is highly recommended to anyone with interest in nature conservation or broader climate change issues.” —Biological Conservation

“A wonderfully written revelation of how nature is stirring in response to climate change—and a wake-up call to what could happen to our fellow inhabitants on the living planet. Required reading for every citizen.” —Thomas E. Lovejoy, Biodiversity Chair, the Heinz Center, and Senior Advisor to the United Nations Foundation

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402788734
Publisher:	Union Square & Co.
Publication date:	11/22/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

RICHARD PEARSON is a scientist at the American Museum of Natural History with a Ph.D. from Oxford University. His research has been funded by grants from NASA and the National Science Foundation, and his findings have been published in several scientific journals, including Nature.
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest and most respected museums in the world, with millions of visitors each year.

Table of Contents

Preface 6

Chapter 1 A Climate for Life 9

Chapter 2 Herps on Hills 23

Chapter 3 To the Ends of the Earth 43

Chapter 4 Out of Sync 61

Chapter 5 A Global Fingerprint 79

Chapter 6 Extinction Risk 97

Chapter 7 Running to Keep Still 149

Chapter 8 Complex Communities 171

Chapter 9 Crying Wolf? 191

Chapter 10 Twenty-First-Century Conservation 207

Notes 226

References 240

Further Reading 254

Conversions 255

Acknowledgments 255

Photo Credits 257

Index 258

Editorial Reviews

Both Martha Cruse, Research Intern, and I have had a chance to read Richard Pearson's Driven to Extinction. We found it a nuanced and fascinating book about the interrelationship of two of the greatest challenges humanity will face in this century- holding climate change within manageable bounds and preserving biodiversity in the face of rapidly changing habitat and a changing climate and ocean environment. Not only will considerable human ingenuity be required to hold climate change within a rate that gives human civilization and fragile ecosystems some hope of flourishing , restoration ecologists will need to show similar imagination not only in preventing extinction of species but also in maintaining species in real numbers in the natural environment. Richard Pearson provides hope that preservation and restoration ecologists are up to meeting the latter challenge. I hope that we in the climate protection movement around the world can show a similar intellectual suppleness.” --John Topping, President of the Climate Institute

From the Publisher