Balancing On A Planet

Agricultural Revolutions 3.

Invasive species threaten local ecosystems and the planet’s biodiversity, but are they all as bad as we think they are? Plants, animals, insects and fish are moving in. In Nature Out of Balance:How Invasive Species Are Changing the Planet author Merrie-Ellen Wilcox profiles all-star invasive species around the world, starting in her own neighbourhood, and warns that humans are the most invasive species of all. We find out how and why species become invasive, what we can do to stop their spread and whether it’s time to think differently about invasive species that are here to stay.

Astrologer Kathy Kerston presents two profound principles in Balancing Your Orbit: the planets beam energies to Earth, and we can respond positively or negatively to these energies. Starting with the belief that your birth chart is a script you wrote, Kerston believes your chart's scenarios describe what you can choose to experience. By exercising free will, you can direct your life-but only when you choose to take on that responsibility. Planetary energy has a profound affect on our lives and is often based on our programmed belief systems. By starting with your charts and entering the realm of imagination, you can choose to draw to yourself into the positive energy of any planet. In a playful but powerful way, Kerston describes each known planets' personality using Greek mythological profiles. These profiles explain how to take control of your life by changing your belief systems. "The universe is holding all that you have wished for in escrow for you," said Abraham through Ester Hicks (Law of Attraction). It's yours to claim. You will come to view the planets as your personal assistants, sending you positive things and circumstances. You'll refer to this practical, enjoyable book time and again to supplement your astrological studies.

An expert on business strategy offers a pragmatic take on how businesses of all sizes balance the competing demands of profitability and employment with sustainability. The demands and stresses on companies only grow as executives face a multitude of competing business goals. Their stakeholders are interested in corporate profits, jobs, business growth, and environmental sustainability. In this book, business strategy expert Yossi Sheffi offers a pragmatic take on how businesses of all sizes—from Coca Cola and Siemens to Dr. Bronner's Magical Soaps and Patagonia—navigate these competing goals. Drawing on extensive interviews with more than 250 executives, Sheffi examines the challenges, solutions, and implications of balancing traditional business goals with sustainability. Sheffi, author of the widely read The Resilient Enterprise, argues that business executives' personal opinions on environmental sustainability are irrelevant. The business merits of environmental sustainability are based on the fact that even the most ardent climate change skeptics in the C-suite face natural resource costs, public relations problems, regulatory burdens, and a green consumer segment. Sheffi presents three basic business rationales for corporate sustainability efforts: cutting costs, reducing risk, and achieving growth. For companies, sustainability is not a simple case of “profits versus planet” but is instead a more subtle issue of (some) people versus (other) people—those looking for jobs and inexpensive goods versus others who seek a pristine environment. This book aims to help companies satisfy these conflicting motivations for both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Encouraging, accessible, and easily digestible, this comprehensive, illustrated nonfiction guide introduces children ages eight to twelve to the important topic of climate change--with tips on "How You Can Help" and citizen scientist activities. "Our World Out of Balance is a wonderful introduction to climate change and other global environmental challenges for children. Unlike so many other books about climate change, it does not traffic in fear. Instead, it presents the facts and shows what young people can do to help build a cleaner, safer and more equitable future for the planet." --Simon Donner, Professor, Climate Scientist, University of British Columbia Filled with engaging big ideas that will inspire children to think about their role in keeping our world healthy, Our World Out of Balance details how humans have thrown the planet off-balance and ways we can work together to be part of the solution and create a healthier world. While the book covers some complex subjects, it also shares a sense of hope and many of the positive developments that have come from environmental initiatives, like reforestation and innovative recycling programs. Featuring brave scientists, young activists, and many groups working collectively to protect our future, Our World Out of Balance will leave readers feeling empowered and inspired. Each chapter pairs brightly colored illustrations with easily graspable scientific facts and statistics and ends with tips on "How You Can Help" as an individual―even at a young age! The book shares simple and well-organized descriptions of a variety of phenomena―like hurricanes and wildfires―that are becoming more extreme and negatively affecting plants, animals, humans, and ecosystems around the world. From there, children learn about the causes behind each phenomenon and what we all can do to intervene and bring balance back to our home planet. The easy-to-follow "Before" and "After" segments help children understand complex topics like: -Air pollution -Rising seas -Plastics and increased waste -Wildfires The backmatter lists various citizen science initiatives that kids can take part in to help make a difference. Informational text includes a table of contents, diagrams, index, glossary, and select bibliography. Printed on FSC-certified paper with vegetable inks.

In the winds of polarization plaguing our country comes a breath of fresh air. Through the concept of "decisional gradualism" Planet in Conflict strives to achieve a balance between energy production, economic growth, social justice, and environmental quality. Planet in Conflict provides a clear description of the conflicted issues regarding energy production and environmental protection and offers many opportunities for compromises and optimism. The authors also lead you to seven detailed steps to achieve a balance among the various issues. It is an interesting read for decision makers, thoughtful members of the public and students. It challenges them to one step at a time come to a middle ground that brings energy availability, planet sustainability and social equity together into an ever improving state.

First Published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

In this leadership memoir, take a step backstage at Cirque du Soleil. Vice Chairman Daniel Lamarre shares his experiences leading the awe-inspiring organization, and teaches readers what it takes for anyone, regardless of position or industry, to embrace the value of creative leadership. Without creativity, there is no business. At the core of Cirque du Soleil’s lavish, multi-million-dollar productions is Vice Chairman Daniel Lamarre, who has mastered the ability to bring business and creativity together across multiple languages and cultures in a way that has never been seen before. The secrets he shares in Balancing Acts are rooted in tremendous faith in your own creative skills, even if you are convinced you have none, and those of the sharpest minds within your organization. In this book, Daniel shares the untold stories behind Cirques biggest shows, including Beatles Love, Michael Jackson One, the aquatic marvel, O, and many more. Through these tales of triumph and trials, he will teach you: How to shatter the perceived limitations standing in the way of your ability to think creatively and innovatively; When to step up and when to step back so that your team can create a masterpiece that doesn’t break the bank; How in using the methods Daniel has uncovered, modern companies with entrenched bureaucracies can bring creativity and business together to foster innovation; and How to use creative thinking to lead your organization to new heights. Whether you work for one of the most creative organizations on the planet like Cirque du Soleil, in a stuffy corporate job, or somewhere in between—Balancing Acts is filled with principles that can strengthen and accelerate any business on the planet.

In "The Fragile Balance," readers will be taken on a journey to explore the complexities of our planet's delicate balance and how it is being affected by human activities. The book will delve into various fields of Earth and Environmental Science, including geology, meteorology, oceanography, and ecology. The book will start with an introduction to Earth's history and how it has shaped the planet's geology, climate, and ecosystems. The readers will learn about the Earth's natural systems and how they interact to create a balance that sustains life on our planet. Next, the book will explore how humans have impacted the Earth's environment, including topics like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and overfishing. The readers will learn about the science behind these issues, their causes and consequences, and the potential solutions to address them. The book will also cover how humans can work towards creating a sustainable future, highlighting technologies and strategies that can help us reduce our impact on the environment. It will include sections on renewable energy, green technology, sustainable agriculture, and conservation efforts. Throughout the book, readers will encounter real-world examples and case studies that illustrate the concepts discussed. There will also be interviews with scientists and experts in the field, providing their perspectives and insights on the current state of the Earth's environment and what can be done to protect it. "The Fragile Balance" aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of Earth and Environmental Science and how it relates to our everyday lives. The book will inspire readers to take action and make changes in their own lives to protect the environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Science tells us that life elsewhere in the Universe is increasingly likely to be discovered. But in fact the Earth may be a very unusual planet – perhaps the only one like it in the entire visible Universe. In Lucky Planet David Waltham asks why, and comes up with some surprising and unconventional answers. Recent geological, biological, and astronomical discoveries are bringing us closer to understanding whether we might be alone in the Universe, and this book uses these to question the conventional wisdom and suggest, instead, that the Earth may have had ‘four billion years of good weather’ purely by chance. If Earth-like worlds don’t have natural stabilising mechanisms, then intelligent observers such as ourselves will only ever look out onto those rare planets where, like the Earth, all the bad things that could have happened to the climate have fortunately cancelled each other out. So before you prepare to meet the aliens, consider that we are probably alone ...