ABC Radio with Simon Mustoe on Wildlife in the Balance.Is ‘rewilding’ our best hope of undoing damage to the Earth’s ecosystemsHow ecosystems function An ecosystem is a community of lifeforms that interact in such an optimal way that how ecosystems function best, is when all components (including humans and other animals) can persist and live alongside each other for the longest time possible. Ecosystems are fuelled by the energy created by plants (primary producers) that convert the Sun's heat energy More?
A new book by ecologist and conservationist Simon Mustoe argues that sometimes doing less, is more.
In Wildlife in the Balance, Why Animals are Humanity’s Best Hope he explores the delicate ecosystems on our planet. Mustoe suggests a new focus for countering the impact humans have on Earth – animals.
Watch here: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/sundayextra/wildlife-in-the-balance/101751166
This is the untold story of why wildlife conservationWhy is animal conservation important? Animal conservation is important, because animals are the only mechanism to create biodiversity, which is the mechanism that creates a habitable planet for humans. Without animals, the energy from today’s plants (algae, trees, flowers etc) will eventually reach the atmosphere and ocean, much of it as carbon. The quantity of this plant-based waste is so More is our greatest chance to rebuild a habitable Earth. Take a journey through some of the planet’s most spectacular wildlife events, to learn how the world works, the origin of life and our place in nature. This is the story of why animals are humanity’s best hope. It’s a call to action and story of empowerment. We, as animals, can be part of a change for the better, for the future of our planet and humanity.
“A symphony of science .” 4.5 ★ Vicki Renner, Artshub
“This is a ‘must read book’.” 5 ★ Karen Smith, GoodReads
“A compelling read.” Cheryl Akle, Weekend Australian, Notable Books
About the Author
Simon Mustoe has worked all over the world as an ecologist, expeditioner and conservationist. He’s tumbled in boats amid frigid North Atlantic storms, trekked solo into Madagascar’s remote dry forests, discovered unknown species of seabird in Australia’s tropical ocean territories and recorded previously unseen whales in West Papua. His thirty years as a researcher, communicator, expert witness and consultant for industry, governments and conservation groups has offered many oblique views of our interaction with nature and candid examples of our failure to protect it and ourselves. Telling the story about our relationship with and dependence on wildlife is Simon’s passion. He co-produced Australia’s National Landscapes Nature Series, sends his online magazine Wildiaries to a quarter of a million Australians and illustrates his own blog, Animal ImpactWhat is Animal Impact? Without wildlife, Earth would not be habitable for humans, because it's animals that stabilise ecosystems. It’s a fundamental law of nature that animals (and humans) exist because we are the most likely lifeforms to minimise environmental chaos. Animal impact, therefore, is a measure of how much all wildlife is collectively responsible for creating a habitable Earth. The More. Meanwhile, Simon continues to play an active role as adviser to important ecosystem restoration initiatives.
