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In a society more concerned with how to cope with existential dread than how to make actionable changes to save the planet, a surprisingly large number of Americans identify as environmentalists. What can individual people do to lessen human impacts on the planet? This is not an easy question. Most research is focused on large-scale changes that go beyond anything an individual can accomplish, and people are left feeling defeated rather than inspired to make changes in their everyday lives. Change starts at home, and F Stuart Chapin, III has assembled a book for people who want to learn more about global changes and, more importantly, what they can do about them, starting today. Grassroots Stewardship approaches our current situation with an educated sense of hope and positivity. This book emphasizes actions by individuals, rather than governmental or corporate institutions, to trigger transformational change. Readers will learn what they can do to most significantly transform their communities and the planet with more sustainable pathways.
About the author
F Stuart "Terry" Chapin, III, is Professor Emeritus of Ecology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In addition to his over 500 peer-reviewed scientific papers, he has written leading texts in ecosystem stewardship, ecosystem ecology, and plant physiological ecology.
A world-leading ecologist, and one of the world's most profound thinkers and actors on stewardship of the Earth System, Professor Chapin has built a long and productive career that links ecology and ethics in both theory and practice. His novel concepts published over the last 30 years have been widely influential in understanding biological diversity which underpins human well-being. He was awarded the Volvo Environment Prize in 2019 for his work on stewardship.
Summary
Integrating ecology with the natural and social sciences, F Stuart Chapin III creates a framework from which to apply theory to inform scientific practice. Providing a pragmatic strategy for tangibly saving the environment, this is not a book about what should be done; it is a book about what has been done and what can be done.
Additional text
It's a personal journey of discovery, spelling out the interdependence of nature and society, leading to an overall philosophy and a basis for planetary stewardship. All through the book, Professor Chapin gives clear messages of what people can do to help this vital transformation. Highly recommended.
