Young children usually think of their home as the structure in which they live. In Our Big Home, the author and illustrator present a much larger vision of home as the planet Earth. Linda Glaser's beautiful poem is a wonderful way to gently lead children toward the all-important understanding of caring for our environment. In her lyrical, child-oriented style, she presents the idea that our big home is shared not only with all people but with all plants and animals as well. She shows that we share the air, the water, the soil, and other elements that affect and sustain all of us who live on Earth. Elisa Kleven's vibrant art enhances the concept as she takes young readers to an African plain, a Caribbean island, a South American mountain, and around the world to see people and animals reveling in the beauty and abundance of our shared home.
"The physical earth is clearly under unprecedented siege—heated, toxified, scraped. But almost as if they were antibodies, the finest nature writers of any era have come forward to help in the fight. This anthology collects many of the most important, at their most eloquent. May it ring and echo and do some good!"—Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature "This is a stunning collection of vivid writing about landscapes and the people who inhabit them. The diverse narratives gathered here do more than describe hawks diving and twigs snapping, although the book has its share of moving accounts of the natural world. A concern to live responsibily in nature runs through this evocative anthology like a subterranean stream, and that moral impulse, together with the lively prose, makes this the best collection of nature writing I've seen."—Thomas A. Tweed, editor of Retelling U.S. Religious History
A colorful discussion of conservation that will entertain and educate any child! My Earth, My Home gently guides young readers through a conversation that illuminates the concept of global connection and environmental cause and effect. An engaging text and more than forty full-color illustrations provide an opportunity for discussing and understanding not only what we can do to save our planet, but why it is so important. Also included are a Messy Planet Action Plan, as well as an Earth-Smart Dictionary. Called “the perfect children’s introduction to environmental issues” by Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, this book encourages maturity, ownership, and problem-solving discussion among kids and their parents, teachers, or caregivers. It is a must for every school and family library.
The Latest Scientific Discoveries Point to an Intentional Creator Most of us remember the basics from science classes about how Earth came to be the only known planet that sustains complex life. But what most people don't know is that the more thoroughly researchers investigate the history of our planet, the more astonishing the story of our existence becomes. The number and complexity of the astronomical, geological, chemical, and biological features recognized as essential to human existence have expanded explosively within the past decade. An understanding of what is required to make possible a large human population and advanced civilizations has raised profound questions about life, our purpose, and our destiny. Are we really just the result of innumerable coincidences? Or is there a more reasonable explanation? This fascinating book helps nonscientists understand the countless miracles that undergird the exquisitely fine-tuned planet we call home--as if Someone had us in mind all along.
The home, an essential part of the American dream, has been beset by troubles since the beginning of the Great Recession in 2007. Whether from an unstable housing economy, ever-rising energy costs, or the environmental ruin of urban sprawl, the origin and variety of these assaults can be bewildering. Surprisingly, some of the answers to many of these modern-day troubles lie in some of humanity's most ancient building techniques. Earth-sheltered building has existed since the heyday of Skara Brae in Scotland 5,000 years ago, and is used today by people around the world, from the Yaodong of north-west China to the subterranean residents of Coober Pedy, Australia, and even to converted missile silos in America. If you have ever looked at your power bill in stunned disbelief, if you are interested in green building techniques, or if you want your home to stand out (or hide out), then this book is for you. Contrary to popular misconceptions of being cramped, dark, or dank domiciles, earth-sheltered homes come in a number of different styles, incorporating brilliant techniques designed to bring light and air into the home. With The Complete Guide to Building Affordable Earth-Sheltered Homes, you will learn about the many different types of earth-sheltered homes and their various advantages, including a life span that can be two to three times longer than that of conventional housing, inexpensive building materials, and reduced maintenance costs. Additionally, the energy costs of an earth-sheltered home can be as much as 80 percent lower than a conventional homes power costs. The book will also examine the different environmental factors that you need to consider when selecting which style to build and how to begin, and carry out, your building process. Some of the factors discussed include the different types of soil and how to adjust to them, the level of precipitation and how to manage run off, and how to maximise use of natural light sources. Construction experts and earth-sheltered home builders have been interviewed and their expertise is included in this guide to help you learn how you can create your own underground home. Details of construction methods are found throughout the book, including tips and advice for planning, excavation, flooring, walls, framing, waterproofing, roofing, drainage, and insulation. You will also learn how to pour your own footings and floor, how to dry stack concrete block walls, how to use post and beam framing, and how to waterproof the membranes. With the information provided in this book, you can start planning and building your own earth-sheltered home in no time so that you, too, can benefit from the natural protection of the earth. If earth-sheltered building is good enough for Bill Gates $136 million mansion, then it just might be good enough for you too.
Durning, the executive director of Northwest Environment Watch and commentator on National Public Radio, explores the environmental health of his home region and the ideas behind a sustainable way of life. From an innovative manager of public transportation in Boise, Idaho, to a Seattle shoe cobbler who is making a small stand against our disposable society, this book is filled with thought-provoking and inspiring people, ideals, and results. It shows how the intrinsic value of home can be acknowledged, valued, and preserved.
Earth Spirit Living is a revolutionary approach to lifestyle design and personal space. Author Ann Marie Holmes, an expert on earth energy systems, reveals that by picking up subtle cues from the natural world, we can create healthy, enjoyable, and sustainable living spaces. She shows how we can effectively incorporate principles of sacred geometry, human intuition, and the power of space, shape, and layout to become aware of -- and collaborate with -- the earth's energies. Perfect for homeowners, renters, business owners, professional designers, and builders, Earth Spirit Living illuminates the benefits of living in cooperation with our environment, including: * a more comfortable home * increased effectiveness in your work * healthier, calmer living conditions * enhanced work and personal relationships * improved prosperity * smoother construction or remodeling process Insightful illustrations, ceremonies, cures, attunements, and visualizations will help you hone your natural instincts and strengthen your connection to your physical space. With client stories and personal anecdotes, Holmes guides you on the journey toward a balanced life and living space that harnesses the energy and wisdom of nature.
