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Silent Earth

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Silent Earth

By: Dave Goulson
Narrated by: Dave Goulson
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Brought to you by Penguin.

Insects are essential for life as we know it. As they become more scarce, our world will slowly grind to a halt; we simply cannot function without them. Drawing on the latest ground-breaking research and a lifetime's study, Dave Goulson reveals the shocking decline of insect populations that has taken place in recent decades, with potentially catastrophic consequences. He passionately argues that we must all learn to love, respect and care for our six-legged friends.

Eye-opening, inspiring and riveting, Silent Earth is part love letter to the insect world, part elegy, part rousing manifesto for a greener planet. It is a call to arms for profound change at every level - in government policy, agriculture, industry and in our own homes and gardens. Although time is running out, it is not yet too late for insect populations to recover. We may feel helpless in the face of many of the environmental issues that loom on our horizon, but Goulson shows us that we can all take simple steps to encourage insects and counter their destruction.

© Dave Goulson 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 Agricultural & Food Sciences Animals Biological Sciences Environment Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Science Sustainable & Green Living Sustainable Agriculture Conservation Inspiring Thought-Provoking Natural History
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Critic reviews

A powerful book
Thoughtful, frightening and yet hugely enjoyable... This book will make you think differently about our right of dominion over the planet
It's remarkable that insect decline has gone largely unnoticed by non-specialists... Keep dreaming, Dave Goulson. We'll need more dreamers like you
If Silent Earth contains a single incontestable message it is that nature - insects, flowers, plants, trees, birds and mammals, including our species - is a single system... This powerful book tells us that we need to act as if we understand this essential truth
Compelling, penetrating, devastating - Silent Earth is a wake-up call for the world. Dave Goulson matches science with eloquence and passion to spotlight the cataclysmic loss of insect life on our planet. Rachel Carson would be proud. (Isabella Tree)
Read this book, then look and wonder
Insects are the most vivid expressions of the astounding fact of life in what may be a dead universe. Read this book, then look and wonder. (Bryan Appleyard)
Thoughtful, frightening and yet hugely enjoyable... This book will make you think differently about our right of dominion over the planet. (Joe Shute)
Studded with engaging descriptions...[and] a plenitude of practical suggestions... This is a crusading but not a preachy book... I was charmed, enthused, dismayed and grieved by Silent Earth. (Richard Davenport-Hines)
His magnum opus. Silent Earth is both a heartfelt letter of love to the insect world that has captivated him from childhood, and a rousing call to arms to counter the recent catastrophic decline in insects before it is too late... Magnificent. (Caroline Sanderson)
All stars
Most relevant
Book has lots of interesting facts about insects. Possibly a bit too long for me. Does make me realise that i can do more.

Bit depressing, but lots of valuable insights

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Amazing book that gives exquisite details and stories of the insect world, with all the dangers facing their, and our (!), survival.

Must read for everyone!

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I think this book is on the same level of importance as David Attenborough's recent book. I find it difficult to understand why books like these aren't being read or presented to children throughout their schooling.

I hope everyone reads this book.

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Brilliant. Everyone should have this, sadly those that need it most won't. I shall be sharing this for certain. Get involved, invertebrates are the backbone of all eco systems. This is a must read title.

heartily recommend this

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A profound, eye opening call to action for everyone. Full of intelligent and inspiring insights into the insect world and how their work and their world directly effects the future of ours. Buy it now, especially if you have no previous interest in insects, nature or the environment.

This should be taught in every school, home and workplace.

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