Edward O. Wilson—winner of two Pulitzer prizes, champion of biodiversity, and Faculty Emeritus at Harvard—is arguably one of the most important thinkers of the twentieth century. A modern classic of science memoir, Naturalist is a wise and personal account of Wilson’s growth as a researcher and the evolution of the fields he helped define. Wilson traces the trajectory of his life—from a childhood spent exploring the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida to a career as a tenured professor at Harvard—detailing how his youthful fascination with nature blossomed into a lifelong calling. As the narrative of Wilson's life unfolds, the reader is treated to an inside look at the origin and development of ideas that guide today's biological research.

At once practical and lyric, Naturalist provides fascinating insights into the making of a scientist, and a valuable look at some of the most thought-provoking ideas of our time. As relevant today as when it was first published twenty-five years ago, Naturalist is a poignant reminder of the human side of science and an inspiring call to celebrate the little things of the world.

The farm bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation the American president signs. Negotiated every five to seven years, it has tremendous implications for food production, nutrition assistance, habitat conservation, international trade, and much more. Yet at nearly 1,000 pages, it is difficult to understand for policymakers, let alone citizens. In this primer, Dan Imhoff and Christina Badaracco translate all the “legalese" and political jargon into an accessible, graphics-rich 200 pages. Readers will learn the basic elements of the bill, its origins and history, and perhaps most importantly, the battles that will determine the direction of food policy in the coming years.

For over a century the Great Lakes have been the target of controversial diversion schemes to sell, send, or ship water to thirsty communities, sometimes far from the source. In 2008, eight US states signed the historic Great Lakes Compact designed to protect the region’s precious freshwater resources. Now water diversion controversies of a different kind are pitting communities and states against one another. Will the water wars ever be settled?

With three new chapters and significant revisions that bring the story up to date over the past decade, this is the definitive behind-the-scenes account of the people and stories behind hard-fought battles to protect this precious resource that makes the region so special for the millions who call it home.
 

Cutting global carbon emissions is a daunting challenge, but the technologies and strategies to meet it exist today. A small set of energy policies, designed and implemented well, can put us on the right path. Energy systems are large and complex, so energy policy must be focused and cost-effective. One-size-fits-all approaches simply won’t get the job done. Written by Hal Harvey, CEO of the environmental policy firm Energy Innovation, with Robbie Orvis and Jeffrey Rissman of Energy Innovation, Designing Climate Solutions is a comprehensive guide to energy policies that will have the largest impact on carbon emissions, and how to design these policies well. In this unique resource, Harvey identifies the largest sources of global emissions, the best policies to target these sectors, and key design principles for each approach. Designing Climate Solutions gives professionals the tools they need to select, design, and implement a portfolio of policies that can put us on the path to a livable climate future.

Design has built global brands, disrupted industries, and transformed our lives with technology. It has also contributed to the complex challenges we face today. In The Intergalactic Design Guide, business strategist and designer Cheryl Heller shows how social design offers a new approach to navigate uncertainty, increase creativity, strengthen relationships, and develop our capacity to collaborate.

The most innovative leaders in the world have instinctively practiced social design for decades. Heller has worked with many of these pioneers, observing patterns in their methods and translating them into an approach that can bring new creative energy to any organization. The Intergalactic Design Guide explains 11 common principles, a step-by-step process, and the essential skills for successful social design. Nine in-depth examples—from the CEO of the largest carpet manufacturer in the world to an entrepreneur with a passion for reducing food waste—illustrate the social design process in action.
 
Whether you are launching a start-up or managing a global NGO, The Intergalactic Design Guide provides both inspiration and practical steps for designing a more resilient and fulfilling future.
 

Are plants intelligent? Can they solve problems, communicate, and navigate their surroundings? For centuries, philosophers and scientists have argued that plants are unthinking and inert—yet discoveries over the past fifty years have challenged this idea, shedding new light on the complex interior lives of plants.

Walkable City Rules is a doer’s guide to making change in cities, and making it now. Jeff Speck’s follow-up to his bestselling Walkable City is the resource that cities and citizens need to usher in an era of renewed street life.
 
The 101 rules are practical yet engaging—worded for arguments at the planning commission, illustrated for clarity, and  packed with specifications as well as data. For ease of use, the rules are grouped into 19 chapters that cover everything from selling walkability, to getting the parking right, escaping automobilism, making comfortable spaces and interesting places, and doing it now! 
 

The world is rediscovering the bicycle as a multi-pronged solution to acute, 21st-century problems, including affordability, obesity, congestion, climate change, inequity, and social isolation. The Netherlands has built an accessible cycling culture that cities around the world can learn from.

Chris and Melissa Bruntlett share the incredible success of the Netherlands through engaging interviews with local experts and stories of their own delightful experiences riding in five Dutch cities. Building the Cycling City examines the triumphs and challenges of the Dutch while also presenting stories of North American cities already implementing lessons from across the Atlantic. Discover how Dutch cities inspired Atlanta to look at its transit-bike connection in a new way and showed Seattle how to teach its residents to realize the freedom of biking, along with other encouraging examples.

Supplemental materials are available at www.islandpress.org/energy