The World Without Us
The World Without Us by Alan Weisman, published by Macmillan Audio on July 10, 2007, is an unabridged exploration of the lasting impact of humanity on the planet. This narrative nonfiction work examines what would happen to Earth if humans were to suddenly disappear, detailing the remnants of our civilization and the natural world’s response. Weisman discusses various elements, from the fate of our infrastructure to the resilience of nature, providing a thought-provoking look at human influence and legacy.
Readers will find a detailed analysis of how different environments, such as Chernobyl and the Korean DMZ, fare in the absence of human presence. The book delves into the effects of human beings on the environment, including the relationships between humans and plants, as well as the enduring materials that may outlast us. Through vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling, Weisman presents a compelling vision of a world reclaiming itself, while also reflecting on the fleeting nature of human achievements.
Official synopsis Publisher
Discover the impact of the human footprint in The World Without Us. Take us off the Earth and what traces of us would linger? And which would disappear? Alan Weisman writes about which objects from today would vanish without us; how our pipes, wires, and cables would be pulverized into an unusual (but mere) line of red rock; why some museums and churches might be the last human creations standing; how rats and roaches would struggle without us; and how plastic, cast-iron, and radio waves may be our most lasting gifts to the planet.
But The World Without Us is also about how parts of our world currently fare without a human presence (Chernobyl; a Polish old-growth forest, the Korean DMZ) and it looks at the human legacy on Earth, both fleeting and indelible. It’s narrative nonfiction at its finest, taking an irresistible concept with gravity and a highly-readable touch.
Some examples of what would happen:
· One year: Several more billions birds will live when airplane warning lights cease blinking.
· Twenty years: The water-soaked steel columns that support the street above New York’s East Side would corrode and buckle. As Lexington Avenue caves in, it becomes a river.
· 100,000 years: CO2 will be back to pre-human levels (or it might take longer).
· Forever: Our radio waves, fragmented as they may be, will still be going out.
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