I really enjoyed reading this book and I learned a lot. The author has traveled the world to report on ways people are trying to combat climate change. They give hope for the future. It is well written and very informative. Enjoy

Taking a look at other reviews for this book, I see a few words that seem to be mentioned quite frequently - 'hopeful' and 'fascinating'. I whole-heartedly agree with both. This book is a fantastic exploration of the importance of regeneration in our environments - of returning to practices to restore lands across the world to reduce adverse weather events and things like fires and flash flooding that often result. It is also just a joyful read at times, indicating that there is a way that we can move forward, even in the light of the mass amount of environmental damage that we as a species have wrought upon the world.

I will admit that I read this at a time when I was being beset by migraines (they seem to like visiting several times a week, sometimes several times a day), and so I did find certain parts difficult to comprehend. However, overall, I found this to be an interesting, eye-opening, and (yes, I'm going to say it again) hopeful read.

‘The Reindeer Chronicles: And Other Inspiring Stories of Working with Nature to Heal the Earth’ by Judith Schwartz

Chelsea Green, 2020

ISBN: 978-1603588652

Reviewed by Marian Van Eyk McCain

This informative and inspiring book is part of a fairly recent trend in publishing that I find both exciting and hopeful. Its author, Judith Schwarz, is one of a new breed of environmentalists whose focus is not simply on preserving Nature and conserving what natural resources we have left but rather on creatively enhancing and enriching what we do have and restoring and regenerating what we have lost.

This work is informed by a deep knowledge and understanding of the natural cycles –that sustain life on our planet. The aim of regenerative practices is to bring disrupted carbon, water, nutrient and energy cycles back towards balance. Space mirrors and other techno-fixes may make good copy, says Schwartz, …but the actual processes that regulate and moderate climate derive from living ecosystems.

Thus it is also informed by the understanding that Nature herself is the best ally in this work. And that if we make a start, Nature eagerly cooperates. As Schwartz has discovered in her extensive travels around regenerative projects in various parts of the world: …strategically revegetating even a small expanse of land can make a difference in the surrounding region. Eventually, when we have created enough microclimates, our efforts can begin to affect the climate of the wider region.

What’s more, as she points out, rather than waiting for governments and/or business interests to decide in whose interests it is to restore ecological health, we all need to start where we are and just get on and do it. Earth repair is a participatory sport: a grassroots response to evolving global crises. It is the inverse of apathy and an antidote to despair.

Following an enthusiastic introduction, most of the remainder of this book is devoted to an in-depth examination of various, very different projects. The first of these is the Loess Plateau Watershed Rehabilitation Project, a staggeringly massive – and highly successful – undertaking in rural China that started in the 1990s. It involved seven provinces and 2,137 villages and has not only turned hundreds of square miles of utter barrenness into a lush, verdant and highly productive landscape but lifted 1.24 million people out of poverty.

In Saudi Arabia we learn about the re-greening of a desert area that has been accomplished simply by applying a key Permaculture principle. Which is that in dry places where it rains very infrequently but falls in torrents when it does, the trick is to find ways of slowing down the water and getting it to stay in the ground rather than running off or evaporating. This, together with protecting new growth from grazing animals such as sheep or goats and finding suitable plants – sometimes ones from other places in the world with similar climatic conditions – to hold the water and build topsoil, can make the desert bloom again.

We also learn about the huge opportunity offered in Hawaii when, after 150 years of dominating the island’s economy, the last existing sugar company ceased production and closed its mill on Maui. Here was a chance to start moving Hawaii back towards its original, self-supporting state and the reclamation of its culture.

There is a beautiful story from the frozen north of Norway where a local, indigenous reindeer herder is challenging the academic knowledge about herd density by invoking the more ancient, traditional wisdom of his tribe that has kept reindeer herding sustainable for centuries.

I also enjoyed reading about a very different sort of project, in a town just north of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where an expert in conflict resolution ran a highly successful workshop to resolve a long-standing dispute over water rights. For in human relationships, just as in environmental restoration, we are learning more and more skills. And we are learning to solve problems by searching for deeper levels of understanding and connectedness. Because, as this author maintains very firmly, we are not going to make progress by arguing, blaming or sowing fear – or by denial. The way we shall get there, she says, is through love.

This is a book densely packed with information and threaded through with optimism. Anyone interested in the art and science of regeneration and the restoration of damaged ecosystems will surely find encouragement here.

This was written very well. It was interesting to read about how you can help the environment. Really enjoyed this book, and would recommend.

A lovely hopeful book.A book that shoes how the environment can be healed.Examples of people who are devoting their lives to this healing.A book I will be recommending a read that restores hope.#netgalley#chelseagreen.

This was a really cool look into what humans could do to help, and save the environment, to correct much of the damage that has already been created. It looked at a few case studies that serve as examples for methods that could be implemented all over the world, with likely amazing results. Very interesting read.

Loved it, it was very earthly and inspiring. Really gentle read.
My daughter borrowed this too to read so it was nice discussing with her. Awesome book.
You will love it.

A well written account of some fascinating occurrences throughout the world that can be adopted to create a better future. This story brings hope for those of us who are worried and concerned that the world has gone to the dumps and were at an irreversible point. There are many recommendations in here to assist in the reversal of some of these human made issues throughout the world in the climate and environment. Interesting read, hope to see more people reading this one - need many like minds to help our planet!

interesting book that describes changes and ways to live and improve natural environments. A nice perspective to think about in our changing and destructive ways. Would recommend,

I loved this hopeful book detailing how humans can regenerate our earth--not just preserve it--through taking actions on our own, with others in our community, and not waiting for governments to take action.

The author shows us how we can act together to regenerate the soil, replenish water tables, slow climate change and create healthy ecosystems for ourselves and the other beings on the planet.

Each clearly written and interesting chapter focused on successful actions taken by people all over the planet, showing how we can change our thinking from gloom and doom to thinking beyond the impossible, challenging our assumptions about what can't-and CAN--be done to bring ourselves back into alignment with the earth's natural processes.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in creating a healthier planet.

This is a study in human ingenuity and smarts -- too help correct human ignorance and stupidity -- and it is very well written. The author does a nice job of providing background and context for each project, and gives a sense of the personalities involved to help keep it interesting. If it had photos, it would be even better. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!