An illuminating history of the forgotten concept of climatic botany that underscores how vital forests are to our future.
 
Saving the World tells the forgotten history of climatic botany, the idea that forests are essential for creating and recycling rain. Long before the specter of global warming, societies recognized that deforestation caused drastic climate shifts—as early as 1770, concerns over deforestation spurred legislation to combat human-induced climate change. Across the twentieth century, climatic botany experienced fluctuating fortunes, influenced by technological advancements and evolving meteorological theories. Remarkably, contemporary scientists are rediscovering the crucial role of forests in rainfall recycling, unaware of the long history of climatic botany. This enlightening book is essential reading for anyone passionate about conserving the world’s forests and preserving our climate for future generations.

Brett M. Bennett is associate professor of history at Western Sydney University, Australia, and the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His books include Plantations and Protected Areas: A Global History of Forest Management. Gregory A. Barton is professor of history at Western Sydney University, Australia, and the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His books include The Global History of Organic Farming.

Introduction The Forgotten History of Climatic Botany
Chapter 1: Redeeming the New World
Chapter 2: Losing the New World: When Climate Change Becomes Bad
Chapter 3: Stopping Climate Change in British India
Chapter 4: The Evaporation of the Forest-Climate Question
Chapter 5: State of Emergency: Saving the World from Deserts
Chapter 6: How Dreams of Reclaiming Deserts Evaporated
Chapter 7: The Revival of the Forest-Rainfall Connection
Conclusion Making Meaning from Climate Change

References
Select Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index