Wild Solutions: How Biodiversity is Money in the Bank, Second Edition

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If there is an intelligence to the design of nature, an old question has it, then how could mosquitoes ever have come into being? Andrew Beattie and Paul Ehrlich have an answer: adult mosquitoes are an important source of food for birds, while their larvae are a major part of the diet of many species of fish. Moreover, mosquitoes pollinate some orchid species, and even their role in the spread of certain diseases appears to have a function in nature. Though it poses an annoyance and hazard, then, the mosquito has its place in the world, a world that is constantly impoverished by the destruction of species.

We humans, Beattie and Ehrlich suggest, are only beginning to understand that ecological health depends on the diversity of nature, a diversity that embraces mosquitoes. By way of illustration, they cite an experiment in which scientists created a sealed environment that was meant to approximate conditions in a self-supporting extraterrestrial colony--and that failed, in the end, because the scientists neglected to introduce easily overlooked but nonetheless critical microorganisms. "We are dependent in the short term," they write, "on many more kinds of organisms than it would seem at first glance." And, they add, humans directly benefit from the services that millions of species provide, whether appreciated or not. To remove those species, the authors argue, is akin to squandering a carefully built and irreplaceable fortune, "our biological wealth, our biological capital." Their thoughtful essay offers many reasons for curbing this spending spree. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

In this fascinating and abundantly illustrated book, two eminent ecologists explain how the millions of species living on Earth—some microscopic, some obscure, many threatened—not only help keep us alive but also hold possibilities for previously unimagined products, medicines, and even industries. In an Afterword written especially for this edition, the authors consider the impact of two revolutions now taking place: the increasing rate at which we are discovering new species because of new technology available to us and the accelerating rate at which we are losing biological diversity. Also reviewed and summarized are many “new” wild solutions, such as innovative approaches to the discovery of pharmaceuticals, the “lotus effect,” the ever-growing importance of bacteria, molecular biomimetics, ecological restoration, and robotics.
“An easy read, generating a momentum of energy and excitement about the potential of the natural world to solve many of the problems that face us.”—E. J. Milner-Gulland, Nature
“Must-reading for everyone.”—Simon A. Levin, author of Fragile Dominion: Complexity and the Commons
“An engaging book clearly intended to impress upon a lay audience the practical value of biological diversity. . . . An outstanding work.”—Ecology
“A most stimulating read for all those budding science students from secondary through graduate schools.”—Science Books & Films

Customer Reviews:

Not for the well informed.......2007-02-09

As mentioned in another review the first edition read like a childrens book. Even more insulting was the cartoonish scribbles used as illustrations. It is honestly not appropriate for anything more than an introduction to the subject for teenagers. In that role it would suit its purpose fairly well, unfortunately that is not the type of book the cover and title suggest.

Brilliant!.......2006-03-30

This small volume is a compact introduction to biological systems thinking. Profusely illustrated, it brings numerous concepts into clear focus. Excellent science writing for the general reader!

We need more books like this which clearly communicate the beauty and intelligence of the natural world. This is essential information to inform our designs and decisions.

A HUGE disappointment........2005-05-27

The book is really great if you are a six-year-old. The mature readers however, should steer clear of this disaster of an attempt at non-fiction writing. Just goes to show you that two heads are not necessarily better than one. Abundant illustrations (but of no practical use whatsoever) are scattered all over the book, emphasizing the first point I made. I could not get past the first few chapters, and finally decided to put it down when the authors decided to include human beings, on several occasions, into the dietary chain of lions and tigers.
A horrible read. A HUGE disappointment. Big waste of money. Ages 15 and below only.

Educating the general public on the value of natural systems.......2002-08-20

This book is an attempt to bring to a general readership the idea that solutions to any number of human problems can, and are being, found in the wild. Thus farmers might discover naturally occurring pesticides, perhaps from the leaves of trees; doctors might use antibiotics manufactured by microbes or ants; and engineers, builders and manufacturers might learn how to make the super strong but light weight materials spun out by spiders and worms or secreted by mollusks.

(Or, more realistically, chemical conglomerates, pharmaceutical giants, and construction multinationals might better their bottom line and reduce pollution and the destruction of the environment through the use of ecologically viable solutions.)

The text, written by Australian biologist Andrew Beattie with perhaps more than symbolic assistance from famed population biologist Paul Ehrlich, is unpretentious enough to be accessible to high school students; indeed it seems in some respects, by using a minimum of jargon and technical language, to be aimed at young people. There is an emphasis on the positive aspects of bioremediation and biotechnology rather than sounding any alarm bells about our misuse of the environment. Thus when animals are to be employed as biological monitors of pollution (as the canary is used in the coal mine) the text assures us that rare or endangered species will not be used. Or when pigs are employed (on islands north of Australia) as sentinel animals that might warn of disease traveling south, we are told that they live in pens under "palm trees that rustle in the balmy sea breezes" and that the pigs "snooze or root about in the sand and coconut husks" and are tossed leftovers by passing villagers several times a day "from the family meal or some other delicacy." (p. 160)

The authors follow the introduction with these important words, "The majority of species on Earth have yet to be discovered." (By the way, those who think that the identification of species is like glorified stamp collecting, as I recently read in some book, are very much mistaken. An accounting of life forms, at the very least, will give us a basis for examining change.) Beattie and Ehrlich follow this up with an exploration of how species live in, on, and with one another, laying the groundwork for an understanding of biodiversity and ecology while showing how dependent we are on the smallest creatures for our survival. They recall the failed Biosphere 2 experiment some years ago in Arizona and use a thought experiment on what we might take to the moon to establish and maintain a natural community, thereby demonstrating beyond any doubt just how complex and connected and dependent are all forms of life. They evoke the concept "the natural internet" to illustrate this interconnectedness and to show how natural cycles, food chains, water and nitrogen cycles, etc., work. Particularly interesting was the chapter on garbage and how the myriad creatures of the soil break down waste and return it to use. The remainder of the book suggests ways that humans can work within natural systems to both our advantage and the advantage of the planet as a whole. It is sorely hoped that this message reaches a lot of people, which is obviously the intent of the authors.

The text is enhanced by appealing black and white illustrations of insects, worms, spiders, microbes, fungi and other living things by Christine Turnbull, done in a way that makes the creatures look almost lovable. Turnbull combines a serious attention to detail with the light touch of a cartoonist. Or at least this is my impression. I imagined, for example, that the immobilized ant on the title page with a fungus growing out of its body had an cartoonist's "x" in its eye; but that was merely a misapprehension; there was no "x." Yet the death of this ant eaten from the inside by a fungus seemed almost benign. Perhaps this is a felicitous way of understanding "nature red in tooth and claw." Furthermore, (and I mean this seriously) maybe if people in general saw ecology in something like the rosy way Disney depicted it in Bambi (but without the distortion) we might be the better for it.

Anyway I admire the attempt by the authors to show how the use of natural products and processes are preferable to the use of artificial and man-made ones whenever possible, and for suggesting the incredible range of what is possible. I wish that all high school students and CEOs of multinational corporations would read this book. Or better yet, heads of state (even dictators and ruling theocrats) and elected representatives whose education has been primarily in law, business and the military, should read this book. Maybe we ought to buy an extra copy and send it to our representative in Washington. Couldn't hurt.

Bottom line: the text is a little pollyannaish at times and the material is familiar to those trained in the life sciences, but the message is an important one, and that message is expressed in a vivid and easily assimilated way. The drawings by Turnbull are wonderful.

An Outstanding Argument for Conservation.......2002-01-11

Wild Solutions is a beautifully written little book containing a well-reasoned, passionate argument for the conservation of all the creatures in the natural world, not just the ones that look cute on T-shirts or postcards. The over riding theme of this book is not that we should save nature because we can make a quick buck off of it; rather, we should save nature because the natural world is one big laboratory, available to humanity free of charge, that not only supports us with a variety of ecosystem services but also continuously shows us new and better ways of living. The message is that species must be conserved because it is impossible to determine which will be vitally important in the future. Humanity tends to judge the worth of a species based on its value to us now without knowing fully or even considering the role the species may play in nature. We really do not know what species will be important in the future. Moreover, we do not know yet to what extent how important the known species are in ecosystem processes. Too often we learn of the organism's role and importance in ecosystems only after it is gone. One important point of the book is that we do not realize or even appreciate the extent to which we are dependent on the natural world.

As the case of Biosphere Two clearly showed the world, placing a value on the importance of a species without knowing its role in ecosystems and food chains, merely based on arrogant and selfish notions of whether or not we derive some value from it is foolhardy. Biosphere Two also showed us that humanity can not do without Nature, but Nature, given its multi-billion year history, can and has done without us. The authors liken the world's creatures to a natural internet that is responsible for the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, and the rich fertile soil that we depend upon for the food that we eat. All of these gifts from Nature, unfortunately, are being tainted, damaged and destroyed by the greedy and selfish actions of humanity. Although many of the example organisms may not be new to some readers, the way in which these organisms interact, and the way in which Humanity has taken advantage of these interactions to enrich our lives gives all a deeper understanding of the importance of these and other organisms.

While some may criticize the call to save the natural world for economic gain, no one can argue with the authors' assertion that the natural world has served and will continue to serve as a basis for the development of new industries. Nor can it be argued that the natural world will become more important as a springboard for the solution to some of mankind's most pressing problems. While I firmly believe that the preservation of species and habitats solely for present or future economic exploitation is both arrogant and shortsighted, it tends to remain the only way to convince the world powers and corporate sultans to tread lightly around environments and habitats. Such a state of affairs is at once both deplorable and depressing, but I am optimistic that sane minds will rise above the current economically inspired rapacious environmental pillage and eventually prevail.

I fully acknowledge that our callous interference in natural evolutionary processes is a foolish gamble, and this book serves as indisputable proof. Many lifetimes of benefits are waiting to be discovered among Nature's bountiful gifts, and this book inspires me to find a few of them.

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Wild Solutions: How Biodiversity is Money in the Bank, Second Edition
Andrew; Ehrlich, Paul R.; Turnbull, Christine Beattie
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OS7560

Book Description

“My encyclopedia, my translator, my phone book, my best friend!” —Western woman living in Japan Being A Broad in Japan includes everything you need to make the most out of your life: case studies of Western women working in almost 50 different types of jobs; anecdotes from many of the 200 Western women interviewed; profiles of 23 women's organisations; essential Japanese words and phrases; and indispensable resource sections listing telephone numbers and Websites for English-speaking housing agencies, banks, doctors, dentists, gynaecologists, therapists, lawyers, maternity classes, day care centres, employment agencies, labour unions, graduate schools, and MORE. An essential book for any Western woman living in Japan.

Read about: • Coping with culture shock. • Finding clothes and shoes that fit. • Avoiding hair disasters. • Cooking Japanese food. • Telling a chikan where to go. • Dating and the singles scene. • Organising contraception. • Getting married and divorced. • Adopting a baby. • Educating your child. • Finding a job. • Teaching gender studies in the English-language classroom. • Coping with reverse culture shock when you leave Japan.

Customer Reviews:

Don't waste your money on this out of date book.......2007-09-22

This book is embarrassingly out of date. The phone numbers, businesses and organizations are either no longer in use, no longer in existence, or no longer relevant. There are countless other ways to find up-to-date information. I'm sure it was useful when it was first produced, but selling this basically useless book to people now is irresponsible and dishonest, and buying it is a waste of your time and money.

Everything A Women Needs in Japan.......2005-04-02

For western women resident in Japan, this is the bible, the encyclopedia, and the Hold Grail all rolled in one. In spite of a somewhat flippant-but nevertheless clever-title, Being A Broad in Japan covers all the details women will have when living in Japan. It is comprehensive on, among other topics, survival (emergencies, finance, hair, etc.), home, health, relationships, becoming a mother, jobs and the workplace, Japanese language, and leaving Japan.
However, this guide is much more than a list or a yellow pages-though it is both of those. It is interspersed with quotes and anecdotes from the lives of many women who have struggled with some aspect of living in Japan. In the section on relationships, one woman voices the commonly heard refrain about western men in Japan: "Foreign guys are a big disappointment here. Mostly, they aren't interested in foreign women. Also, I find that many of them, after getting so much attention in Japan, start thinking they are really great." Another women touches on the loneliness many feel, in particular for lesbians: "If I were in New York, not only would I have more women to choose from for potential friendship, I would also have a developed circle of friends to support me. I have not been on my own in 18 about years-and the loneliness, coupled with the foreign land, has been profound..."
There is much advice, many a telephone number, basic Japanese language support, and much more. Indispensable for both those coming and for those still struggling with some aspect or another of Japan.

My cousin.......2004-09-25

Caroline Pover is my cousin. She is very smart. Thank you for reading her book.

Don't move to Japan without it!.......2002-07-02

This is the only book I have seen addressing women's issues in Japan. It specifically deals with the challenges Western women face when they live in Japan. It is quite thorough and well-written. The author and her work are very accessible and I would highly recommend this reference to any female planning a relocation. The book is not written for casual vacationers, but can provide useful insights into daily living, if you are curious.

A neccessity for anyone coming here........2001-09-25

An excellent book which gives you a lot of information on aspects of daily life in Japan. And although it is aimed at women, it is totally relevant to men. I wish it had been available before I came here.

Western Women Working in Japan: Breaking Corporate Barriers.: An article from: Pacific Affairs

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Western Women Working in Japan: Breaking Corporate Barriers.: An article from: Pacific Affairs
Colin Noble
Manufacturer: University of British Columbia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00096Q8A6
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Pacific Affairs, published by University of British Columbia on September 22, 1996. The length of the article is 554 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Western Women Working in Japan: Breaking Corporate Barriers.
Author: Colin Noble
Publication: Pacific Affairs (Refereed)
Date: September 22, 1996
Publisher: University of British Columbia
Volume: v69 Issue: n3 Page: p420(2)

Article Type: Book Review

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Western Women Working in Japan: Breaking Corporate Barriers

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Western Women Working in Japan: Breaking Corporate Barriers
Nancy K. Napier , and Sully Taylor
Manufacturer: Quorum Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Women & Business | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0899309011

Book Description

Globalization demands that more employees become comfortable working outside their home country borders. Western Women Working in Japan is a research-based description of the work and living situations facing foreign professional women who work in Japan. The book draws upon detailed survey data and in-depth interviews, as well as the experiences of the authors, who have lived or worked in Japan during the last 20 years. It examines how foreign women can succeed in Japanese and foreign firms operating in Japan by describing what helps these Western women adjust to Japan and work with Japanese bosses, subordinates, and clients. These women face some different problems than men, yet are armed with special advantages. Drawing upon past research and exploring in new directions, the authors examine the connection between women's job success and the quality of their work relationships with the Japanese, their autonomy, Japanese linguistic ability, and age. Their working relationships are also compared to male expatriates and to the women's previous jobs. The interviews provide new insights into the sexual bias and harassment they encountered and how they dealt with these issues. The book includes valuable recommendations in the areas of selection, training, support, and repatriation for both the organizations that employ foreign women in their Japanese operations and for the women themselves.

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How to Start a Home-Based Day-Care Business, 4th (Home-Based Business Series)
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Manufacturer: Globe Pequot
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

Great book!.......2006-10-17

This was a great look into starting a family day care. It covers a lot of information, and goes into depth about a lot of issues caregivers run into. This book is a great buy for anyone thinking of opening their own family day care!

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Filled with simple yet effective tips, activities, and checklists, this guide offers practical advice to take the stress and nervousness out of business presentations. Explained are a straightforward set of steps to help speakers overcome their fears to present information clearly and confidently. Included are the best presentation tips; strategies for overcoming nervousness and developing rapport with the most difficult audiences; the most effective methods of persuading and convincing an audience; and advice on using audio-visuals with impact and handling questions, interruptions, and interaction with an audience.

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Manufacturer: Pumpkin Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Ring-bound

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ASIN: 096762522X

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Be prepared for today's ever-changing job market and keep your skills and talents up-to-date! Includes a skills inventory, resume writing tips, and job interview tips. This kit should accompany you in any job!

Customer Reviews:

An Improvement.......2001-09-28

I improved my resume using the tips and guidelines from the book. What a difference from the old resume and the new one. It was worth it! Now I have more flexibility in getting the job I want!

Thank You!.......2001-09-28

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WOW This is great! It definitely helped!.......2001-06-29

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Citation Details
Title: Intellectual property, competition rules, and the emerging internal market: some thoughts on the European exhaustion doctrine.
Author: Guido Westkamp
Publication: Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 2007
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