THE BIG RATCHET How Humanity Thrives in the Face of Natural Crisis

Defries, an environmental geographer and 2007 MacArthur Fellow, offers the basic information we should all know to understand our species' precarious ability to extract enough food for our growing numbers from our small but bountiful planet. Following the outline of a basic course in food systems or sustainable development, the book discusses climate change only briefly, environmental politics not at all. Pam Ward's delivery is always clear and well paced. She's at home with the pronunciation of scientific terms and place names from around the world. Her didactic tone may remind listeners of a grade school teacher, but she gets her points across. F.C. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2014]