Saving the World. This item is unavailable.Saving the World

'A timely and significant reflection on contemporary discussions about both the science and the politics of climate change.' - Sir Jonathon Porritt

'A must-read for those interested in forest, empire and climate change histories.' - Paul Munro, University of New South Wales

Saving the World tells the forgotten history of climatic botany, the idea that forests are essential for creating and recycling rain. Long before the spectre of global warming, societies recognized that deforestation caused drastic climate shifts – as early as 1770, concerns over deforestation spurred legislation to combat human-induced climate change. Throughout the twentieth century, climatic botany experienced fluctuating fortunes, influenced by technological advancements and evolving meteorological theories. Remarkably, contemporary scientists are rediscovering the crucial role of forests in rainfall recycling, unaware of the long history of climatic botany.
This enlightening exploration is essential reading for anyone passionate about conserving the world’s forests and preserving our climate for future generations.

Brett M. Bennett is Associate Professor of History at Western Sydney University, Australia, and Visiting Professor in the Department of History in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His publications include Plantations and Protected Areas: A Global History of Forest Management (2015).
Gregory A. Barton is Professor of History at Western Sydney University, Australia, and Visiting Professor in the Department of History in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His publications include The Global History of Organic Farming (2018).