Beginning with an ... Read moreoverview of how human civilization has altered the face of the Earth, particularly by the destruction of forests, the book details the startling consequences of these actions. Rice provides compelling reasons for government officials, economic leaders, and the public to support efforts to save threatened and endangered plants. Global campaigns to solve environmental problems with plants, such as the development of green roofs and the Green Belt Movementùa women's organization in Kenya that empowers communities worldwide to protect the environmentùshow readers that efforts to save wild plants can be successful and beneficial to the economic well-being of nations.

Through current scientific evidence, readers see that plants are vital to the ecological health of our planet and understand what can be done to lead to a betterùand greenerùfuture

Benefits of plants:

• Help modulate greenhouse gases
• Produce almost all oxygen in the air
• Create cool shade that reduces energy costs
• Prevent floods, droughts, and soil erosion
• Produce all of the food in the world
• Create and preserve soil
• Create natural habitats
• Heal the landscape after natural and human disasters