From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. If the connection between environmental studies and space settlement seems a bit farfetched, biologist Cockell's fascinating, impassioned book could convert even the most skeptical. Written for the general reader, Cockell presents a logical and methodical argument (and many reinforcing examples) for merging the two disciplines, which he believes share the same objective: "creating sustainable human communities in the cosmos-whether they are on the Earth or on any other planet." Studying the earth's deserts or the hotspots in Yellowstone National park, for example, may assist us in the study of Mars, while ongoing space exploration has provided Earth with an extensive satellite network which can be used for discovering new oil fields in Saudi Arabia or identifying areas in Mongolia where snow has melted, allowing herds to graze. Chapters focus on the current crises we face, the practical and ethical dimensions of "green living" and "greening the universe," and why mankind must tackle both tasks at once to ensure survival. In order to achieve success in "exploring, settling and understanding the Universe," Cockell calls on government, industry and academia to take the lead in creating a "systemic link between environmentalism and space exploration"; readers of this infectious volume will be hard pressed not to take up the cry.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"Cockell's fascinating, impassioned book could convert even the most skeptical --infectious." --Publishers Weekly
"Compelling and well-written - easily accessible to the layman and the expert. If there is to be a bright future ahead of us, the goals set down by Cockell will surely be at the heart of it." --
Astronomy Now"An extensive, masterful case that environmental science and space science are powerful partners in leading us to understanding other worlds, and, more importantly, the future of our own."--Frank Drake, Director, SETI Institute, California
"In this lucid and upbeat book, Cockell debunks the false choice between environmentalism and space exploration. He lays out clearly the challenge before us: to seek the stars in full reverence of our home world."--Don White, President, Earthtrust, Hawaii
"a nice topic and timely -- it is important to consider how humans should go about exploring the solar system. Some very good writing and very informative (especially about the science - geology, analog sites, remote sensing)"--Joanne Baker, Oxford University
"Charles Cockell is right to think that we can better understand the earth by visiting the other planets." --James Lovelock, author of The Revenge of Gaia
