Science Magazine's State of the Planet 2008-2009: with a Special Section on Energy and Sustainability [Paperback]

Donald Kennedy (Editor), the Editors of Science (Editor), John Holdren (Contributor), Janez Potocnik (Contributor), Daniel Cleary (Contributor), Jose Goldemberg (Contributor), Phil Berardelli (Contributor), Chris Somerville (Contributor), David Tilman (Contributor), Jason Hill (Contributor), Clarence Lehman (Contributor), Robert F. Service (Contributor), Michael P. Russelle (Contributor), R. Vance Morey (Contributor), John M. Baker (Contributor), Paul M. Porter (Contributor), Hans-Joachim G. Jung (Contributor), John Bohannon (Contributor), Bette L. Otto-Bliesner (Contributor), Shawn J. Marshall (Contributor), Jonathan T. Overpeck (Contributor), Gifford H. Miller (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1597264067 | ISBN-13: 978-1597264068 | Publication Date: December 18, 2008 | Edition: 1

Taken from the pages of Science and supplemented by contributions from the magazine’s editors, State of the Planet 2008-2009 offers contemporary science writing that is sometimes provocative, frequently enlightening, and always authoritative. Published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Science is one of the most respected scientific magazines in the world. With a readership of more than one million people, it offers “hard science” from top scientists to both educated lay readers and scientists alike.

The articles collected here are arranged thematically and each section is introduced by a prominent scientist or science writer. Donald Kennedy, who was Editor-in-Chief of Science when these articles appeared in the magazine, contributes a preface and several short essays. Focusing on issues of energy and sustainability, sections of the volume are devoted to the prospects of energy-sparing technologies and alternatives to fossil fuel use, including ethanol and cellulosic digestion. Other sections center on climate change, led by a comprehensive essay on the state of scientific knowledge today and followed by contributions about the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, as well as the effects of climate change that have been measured to date, including changes in migration and breeding cycles of birds and flowering in plants, changing patterns of hurricanes and extreme weather events, and alterations in forest fire frequency.

Interspersed throughout the book are Science news pieces that highlight particular issues and cases relevant to the main scientific findings. A glossary of key terms and concepts helps students and nonspecialists better understand the terminology and the issues.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book provides a nice blend of somewhat technical reading with essays that are easily comprehensible for various audiences...great backbone of data from top-rate scientists"

(Natural Areas Journal ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Donald Kennedy served as editor-in-chief of Science from 2000-2007. A biologist by training, Kennedy is the Bing Professor of Environmental Science emeritus and President emeritus at Stanford University. In the late 1970s he served as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He is the author of many books, including Academic Duty, an overview of American higher education at the end of the twentieth century.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Island Press; 1 edition (December 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597264067
• ISBN-13: 978-1597264068
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A choice pick for anyone serious about then environment and modern science, June 11, 2009

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Science Magazine's State of the Planet 2008-2009: with a Special Section on Energy and Sustainability (Paperback)

So with all the debate, scientific advancements, and environmental policies, how is the planet doing overall? "Science Magazine's State of the Planet: 2008-2009" is a collection of scholarly discussions of the current events of science and technology and the debate around it - and the counter-debate. The result is scholarly, intriguing, and bound to make readers consider what they know and learn other options. Editor Donald Kennedy and his crew have put together an up to date primer on the subjects that will enlighten and educate. "Science Magazine's State of the Planet: 2008-2009" is a choice pick for anyone serious about then environment and modern science.