Paradise Regained
Description
What was our planet like before the advent of our modern civilization? What effects has our civilization had on the planet and its ecological systems? Paradise Regained discusses these questions and then creates a scenario for the re-greening of Earth. The authors introduce new and innovative ideas on how humankind might use the resources of the solar system for terrestrial benefit. Earth would then become a place for a technologically advanced human civilization to live in synchronization, if not in harmony, with the environment which gave us birth.
Since the formation of our solar system, the resources and ecological state of Earth have undergone many changes. The environmental challenges facing humanity today, as the authors posit them, will not be resolved simply by conservation and Earth-based alternative technologies. Paradise Regained considers the environmental dilemma and highlights the risk of humankind's future extinction from environmental degradation. Human population growth, climate change, and the strained sustainability of the few remaining habitats for wild life are all discussed.
The authors, however, are not discouraged and offer a potential solution through the development of space. Not only will extraterrestrial resources help avert environmental disaster, but will also provide the basis for continued technological and societal progress. The resources of the solar system will help meet our projected industrial needs and feed our industry once terrestrial sources are depleted. Space-based power generation systems will work synergistically with Earth-based conservation. Paradise Regained concludes with the discussion on how closed ecological systems in space will help us to build a prosperous and sustainable future for all humanity.
Reviews / Votes
From the reviews:
"It looks intriguing--using space resources as a way to reduce the strain on Earth's environment by accessing space resources. . it will be highly informed and clearly explained for even the English majors in the reading audience. Looking forward to reading it!" (Rhetoric & Rockets, December, 2009)
"The daily news is full of global climate change stories. . This book is a welcome addition to the discussion - one that focuses on the prospect that space can be a restorative ingredient to Earth's future. . There's a very helpful chapter-by-chapter summary at the start of this book - making this book all the more accessible and enjoyable. The reader will find healthy sections on the use of raw materials found in space . . put together a potent, thought-provoking book." (Leonard David, Space Coalition Blog, January, 2010)
"Paradise Regained: The Regreening of Earth is a scientifically informed voice of reason that addresses the environmental state of our world and how space technologies can improve it. . will be useful for all space activists to better explain how expanding the reach of space technologies will improve life on Earth." (Bart Leahy, Ad Astra, Spring, 2010)
"Paradise Regained is a bracing study of what we might do in the near future to make life better, and that includes asteroid missions that could help us protect the Earth . as well as missions to exploit their resources. . Buy two copies of this book and give one to your local school library. The ideas are spread out here in dazzling profusion . to those who see no value in space exploration and believe such funds should be spent here on Earth." (Centauri Dreams, May, 2010)
"It makes for good reading on the subject itself . . if your looking for a scientific overview, this is a good place to start. . If you're looking a for very in-depth on each concept, this is a good starting point, and it does include some 'further reading' listings . . The writing is good. . The pictures were interesting, and I loved the color inserts in the middle. . Overall, this is a good book." (GoodReads, March, 2010)
"Cover to cover 'Paradise Regained' is only 180 pages long yet due to the concise nature of the writing it is crammed with information and ideas. . The book is split into three parts each dealing with a different aspect. . Overall, I very much enjoyed reading 'Paradise Regained' and found it to be very educational. The solutions put forward to our ecological problems were well thought out." (GoodReads, March, 2010)
"Paradise Regained (Les Johnson, Greg L Matloff, C Bangs) is a sweeping vision of how space science could buffer the Earth from a wide range of environmental woes, with Global Warming as a key exemplar. It is written in highly accessible language, and gorgeously illustrated by C Bangs. The book boldly takes us from the formation of the Earth, to the current environmental problems to the proposed solutions in space. . In summary, a fantastic, gorgeous broad sweep book buzzing with ideas . ." (Astroblog, May, 2010)
"Out there now in book stores is the highly anticipated book by Brooklyn couple C Bangs and Greg Matloff, and Les Johnson of Alabama . . For a look of the trio's book, view the fascinating DVD video on the You- Tube link below made by Bangs ... . It's a wonderful video. The book is the subject of a wonderful full page review in the new issue of the National Space Society's 'ADASTRA Magazine' which can be viewed from the Space com web site." (Astro-Gaia News, July, 2010)
"Physicists Johnson (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center) and Matloff (New York City College of Technology), along with Bangs, present a visionary overview of how solar system resources may help alleviate some of Earth's major environmental challenges. . This work expands on the authors' earlier book, Living Off the Land in Space (CH, Dec'07, 54-2052). . Summing Up: Recommended. . Lower-division undergraduates and general readers." (N. Sprague, Choice, Vol. 48 (1), September, 2010)
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