As the title suggests, this book is all about what Mother Nature is trying to tell us regarding how our civilization is rapidly destroying that biosphere. Her OUTCRY is abundantly evident in phenomena like declining insect, bird and fish populations, a severe biodiversity loss, rising global temperatures, storms, fires, melting ice at the poles, and dead zones in the oceans; to name just a few. 

 

The title also suggests an OUTCRY from nine "big picture" scientists who have connected the dots between human behavior and the deterioration of nature's ability to keep us alive. On the front cover, the highly acclaimed filmmaker and environmentalist, James Cameron, sums up our dilemma in stark terms and asks the question that we strive to answer in this book:

Following the "OUTCRY" from nature and the nine scientists in Part One, most of the book is aimed at what we can do about re-inventing our living arrangements enough to slow, stop or reverse the damage we have already done. In other words, what can be done -- soon enough -- to prevent the extinction of Homo sapiens? Some scientists have suggested that we must give half of the planet back to nature in order to survive. The problem is that there is no global conversation regarding a plan for how we might do that. 

 

Throughout the book, we describe an envisioned, highly-efficient, futuristic, luxurious and ultra-sustainable, coast-to-coast living corridor that could be developed in the USA and thus serve as a model for the rest of the world. We're talking about a spectacular new way of life, where all residents will enjoy free access to food, housing, clothing, transportation and the best healthcare. This new transcontinental corridor would also feature a totally new economy that rewards less consumption of physical stuff. How we might be able to turn that vision into reality before 2030 is the focus of this book.

 

The primary question as we develop that model is: "How green is green enough?" Since we can't be sure of the answer, we must totally re-design every aspect of our civilization, and even then, it may not be enough to save us. Some scientists have concluded that we have waited too long to make much of a difference. Perhaps those scientists haven't been thinking outside the box enough when it comes to what we humans can accomplish when we throw the old, ineffective, playbook out the window.

 

Accepting defeat is not an option -- as we simply cannot let our children down. We must also think about the billions of children who will follow them. As Dr. E.O. Wilson says, "We have enough intelligence, goodwill, generosity, and enterprise to turn Earth into a paradise both for ourselves and for the biosphere that gave us birth."

So, let's get busy and just do it. Hopefully, this book will provide readers with some of the knowledge and inspiration needed to help spark that crucial conversation regarding a complete reinvention of our civilization.  And if we do this right, we are confident that Mother Nature will be delighted to see us survive and thrive indefinitely on this very special planet.