Category: Dictionary & Encyclopedia
Number of Pages: 258
Language: English
Publisher: DK Publishing Ltd.
Publisher: DK Publishing Ltd.
Age Range: 9 and Up
About the Book
With a biome-by-biome structure that mirrors Mother Nature's own design, Our Earth Matters is a celebration of our fragile Earth, a warning to protect it, and an inspiring source book full of ideas for making a positive change.
The book begins with a brief history of our planet's birth and development, revealing how an astonishingly unlikely series of accidents made Earth the only planet in the universe known to be suitable for life. As life flourished and spread, it changed the planet and created the "biosphere." Scientists divide the biosphere into global ecosystems or biomes such as Desert, Ocean, Tropical Forest, and Grassland.
Earth's delicate ecology is the unifying theme. Each section explores the unique ecological structure of a biome and reveals how human interference can upset the balance and damage the life-support systems upon which our existence depends Reference pages make up the first part of each section, with maps showing the extent of the biome, and spreads on climate, natural history, and ecology explaining how the biome works. Subsequent spreads explore the threats arising from human activity and show how positive efforts can often overcome the threats and preserve the biome. Throughout the book, spectacular and intimate photography showcases the living world's endless diversity and beauty, providing a compelling visual argument to support the book's core message.
The book begins with a brief history of our planet's birth and development, revealing how an astonishingly unlikely series of accidents made Earth the only planet in the universe known to be suitable for life. As life flourished and spread, it changed the planet and created the "biosphere." Scientists divide the biosphere into global ecosystems or biomes such as Desert, Ocean, Tropical Forest, and Grassland.
Earth's delicate ecology is the unifying theme. Each section explores the unique ecological structure of a biome and reveals how human interference can upset the balance and damage the life-support systems upon which our existence depends Reference pages make up the first part of each section, with maps showing the extent of the biome, and spreads on climate, natural history, and ecology explaining how the biome works. Subsequent spreads explore the threats arising from human activity and show how positive efforts can often overcome the threats and preserve the biome. Throughout the book, spectacular and intimate photography showcases the living world's endless diversity and beauty, providing a compelling visual argument to support the book's core message.
- Parents' Choice Gold Award in Nonfiction category (2008)
- SSLI Honor Book Science K-6 (2008)
- Notable Social Studies Trade Book (2008)
- SSLI Honor Book Science K-6 (2008)
- Notable Social Studies Trade Book (2008)
- 2009 Santa Monica Public Library Green Prize for Sustainable Literature Award in the Youth
Reference category