Earth reads

Earth: noun, 1: the sphere of mortal life, 2: the planet on which we live, 3: habitat for human and other species.

In preparation for Earth Day next Wednesday, Lihu‘e Library encourages all humans to think about what they, personally, can and will do to protect our habitat: The Planet Earth. Lihu‘e Library Teens are distributing “Earth Day Dancer” cut-outs on which to write planet protection pledges. Anyone can participate.

The Dancers will be collected and displayed in rainbow colors on the huge windows at Lihu‘e Library. To get your supply of Earth Day Dancers contact young adult librarian Sierra Hampton-Eng at 241-3222 or stop by the Lihu‘e Library and make your pledge. While you’re there pick up a good book about the planet.

Some outstanding earth reads lurk at your public library: from frogs to ferns, fresh water to salt, biodiversity to biofuels, and problems to possibilities. This week’s book buzz list celebrates our amazing planet and furthers learning about earth’s environment.

Happy Reading,

Alien Ocean:

Anthropological Voyages

in Microbial Seas

By Stefan Helmreich

578.77 He

The deep sea, the microscopic realm, and oceans beyond national boundaries. The author charts how revolutions in genomics, bioinformatics, and remote sensing have pressed marine biologists to view the sea as animated by its smallest inhabitants: marine microbes. Thriving in astonishingly extreme conditions, such microbes have become key figures in scientific and public debates about the origin of life, climate change, biotechnology, and even the possibility of life on other worlds.

Biodiesel:  Growing a New Energy Economy

By Greg Pahl

333.9539 Pa

The ultimate primer on all things veggie oil powered for those who want to keep up with rapid developments in the international industry. For a how-to book check out Run Your Diesel Vehicle on Biofuels: A Do-It-Yourself Manual by Jon Starbuck and Gavin D. J. Harper.

Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water

By Maude Barlow

333.91115 Ba

Water scarcity may be the most underappreciated global environmental challenge of our time. How did this vital natural resource become so imperiled? And what must we do to pull back from the brink? Barlow discusses the state of the world’s water, how water companies are reaping vast profits from declining supplies and details of a grassroots global water justice movement. When the Rivers Run Dry: Water-The Defining Crisis of the Twenty-First Century by Fred Pearce is another beautifully and movingly written work on the topic.

Conservation for a New Generation: Redefining Natural Resources Management

Edited by Richard L. Knight and Courtney White

333.72 Co

A guidebook for living well and within our natural resources means. Learn how to manage natural and human resources to the enhancement of both and effective approaches to problem solving on contentious human landscapes. A trail for the next generation. See also The Future of the Wild: Radical Conservation for a Crowded World by Jonathan S. Adams for thoughts on how to save the widest variety of species in any ecosystem. Told in stories.

The Dominant Animal: Human Evolution and the Environment

By Paul R. Ehrlich and

Anne H. Ehrlich

304.2 Ehrlich

Over millions of years and through countless genetic twists and turns, humanity has evolved into the dominant animal. We have populated the globe, reshaped most landscapes, eradicated myriad populations and species of other organisms, and even transformed the oceans and climate. These results are now shaping evolution…we are creating the future. But what kind of future will it be?

The authors tackle that fundamental question in this mind-stretching exploration of evolution, environment and culture.

Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?

By Martha Honey

338.4791 Ho

A well-written investigation into the past and current evolution of ecotourism as an industry. For sustainability, also try Green Plans: Blueprint for a Sustainable Earth by Huey Johnson. Drawing on his environmental policymaking in California and his work with the Dutch and New Zealand governments, the author gives us an environmental how-to book for officials at all levels of government.

Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life

By Sophie Uliano

333.72082 Ul

Want to save the earth? Don’t know where to start? For the glam set, stress-free advice on living a green lifestyle. Beauty, home, shopping, fitness, cooking. It’s all there. Or try Wake Up and Smell the Planet: The Non-Pompous, Non-Preachy Grist Guide to Greening Your Day.

The Green Bible: New Revised Standard Version

220.54043 Bi

“The future of our fragile beautiful planet home is in our hands,” says Bishop Desmond Tutu. “As God’s family we are stewards for creation”. The Green Bible (NRSV) will help you engage in the work of healing and sustaining the earth. Includes inspirational essays from key leaders. 

The Necessary Revolution: How Individuals and Organizations are Working Together To Create a Sustainable World

By Peter Senge

338.927 Se

Imagine a world where “regenerative” commercial buildings that create more energy than they use are being designed. Where environmentally sound products and processes are more cost-effective than wasteful ones, corporations are forming partnerships with environmental and social justice organizations to ensure better stewardship of the earth and better livelihoods in the developing world. Stop imagining-that world is already emerging. Revealed in this exciting read are revolutionary, not incremental changes for the way we live and work. Also try Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution-And How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman. A provocative look at how global warming, rapidly growing populations, and the astonishing expansion of the world’s middle class through globalization have produced a planet that is “hot, flat, and crowded.” He proposes solutions to restoring the world and reviving America at the same time.

Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen’s Guide to Community Supported Agriculture

By Elizabeth Henderson 

334.68309 He

Thinking and buying local is moving from a novel idea to a mainstream activity; and to an increasing number of American families, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is the answer to the globalization of our food supply. The premise is simple: create a partnership between local farmers and nearby consumers who become subscribers in support of the farm, paying in advance at the beginning of the growing season when the farm needs financing. CSA members receive the freshest, healthiest produce throughout the season and keep money, jobs and farms in their own community. This is the definitive manual to CSA.

Smogtown: The Lung-burning History of Pollution in Los Angeles

By Chip Jacobs and William J. Kelly

363.7392 Ja

Smogtown is the story of pollution, progress, and how an optimistic people confronted the epic struggle against airborne poisons barraging their hometowns. With wit, verve, and a fresh look at history the authors highlight the bold personalities involved, the corporate-tainted science, the terrifying health costs, the attempts at cleanup, and how the smog battle helped mold the modern day culture of Los Angeles.

Where the Wild Things Were: Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators

By William Stolzenburg

577.16 St

Apex predators have been reduced to minor players in the modern era. Are outbreaks of ecological bedlam stemming from a critical deficiency of danger? As the great meat-eating beasts go missing, an emerging cadre of concerned scientists is finding that their absence portends trouble for the biosphere at large. The author offers a provocative new look at the world’s top predators and the cascades of unforeseen consequences triggered by their disappearance. This is a story of life ironically enriched by the jaws of death. Also try Out of Eden: An Odyssey of Ecological Invasion by Alan Burdick.

•Carolyn Larson is head librarian at Lihu‘e Public Library. Her weekly column brings you the buzz on new, popular and good books available at your neighborhood library. Book annotations are culled from online publishers’ descriptions and published reviews.