The Treeline: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth

Having heard a small part of the reading from this book on Radio Four I thought I would enjoy this book and in no way was I disappointed, in fact if I have a better read this year I will be very pleased. The author takes the reader on a trip around the quickly changing Arctic, and not even the Covid19 pandemic gets in the way of an informative and exceptionally well researched account. Trees are a focus of the book, but it is not simply about trees. The book explores and describes present scientific thinking, natural history and the indigenous peoples who have and who still do inhabit the northern areas. There is some wonderful lyrical and descriptive writing and the reader is introduced to some interesting characters who share varying views as to the changing environment that surrounds them. An excellent and very readable book from an author who is clearly passionate about his subject.

This exceptional, thought-provoking book could have been written for 2022, the year when the other COP - COP15, on biodiversity - will finally happen in China after a Covid pause. For ahead of this gathering of global leaders - and the rest - the issues that Ben Rawlence peels away in this page-turner of a literal tour-d’horizon of our northern forests on which so much life depends will become paramount. Living in the financial world as I do, COP26 and climate - which monopolised the headlines in 2021 - seemed hard to cap as the new year dawned. But Ben’s book brought with it the clear message that climate is part of a much bigger challenge, the threat to nature itself, and that if we do not change our ways, the world we know will perish. When Dr Mark Carney left the Bank of England to become UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, he set out clearly in his COP26 Private Finance Strategy, that “...every professional financial decision [must take] climate change into account...” Ben Rawlence’s book clearly paints the broader picture, including climate, of the risks to our planet and how we might leave it for our children and grandchildren, and therefore what we must do to protect them. A must-read for anyone interested in the vital transition to a net zero economy.

Wonderful piece of writing but not a happy ending!!!

the future writ large

A lot of work and effort - and discomfort - went into writing this book! It tells us all we need to know about how global warming is affecting that part of our planet, and how this will affect our sea levels, and most importantly - our weather ALL over the globe. It’s so simple to understand when you follow Ben’s adventures and discoveries in these often inhospitable places (with their very hospitable indigenous peoples.) Forget the rainforest - that’s pretty much buggered already…it’s the boreal forests we’ve got to monitor and ‘listen to’. This book lays it out very clearly. It’s frightening and - at the same time, absolutely spellbinding. Everyone should read it.

This is a powerfully written book that manages to be moving and informative at the same time. We think of trees as records of the past but in a heating world they are fast becoming an indicator of humanity's future. In these eloquent reports from the communities and ecosystems on the Arctic fringe, Rawlence explores the scientific processes and the human stories behind what is probably the most radical change to affect the natural world. A testimonial and a call for action that will change the way you think about trees and much besides. Essential reading.

The book arrived quickly, and I am quite fascinated by the writer's journey around the world, taking us with him to visit significant tree species and what they mean for the future of our planet. Thank you for this thoughtful take on humanity's involvement in changing our natural habitat and what it might mean for the survival of our species.

From the first page, I was drawn in. This is a gorgously written book about important matters. It really takes you in, and on a well told journey. I was captivated and it was completely unexpected. Definitely worth a read.

This book examines changes to the northern tree lines in the USA, Canada, the UK and Siberia as a result of climate change. The author is a science journalist and visits all these area to have a first hand look, and he talks to indigenous inhabitants in these remote areas and local forestry experts. It is written as an interesting personal travel journal but provides a lot of specific information on the predominant tree species in each area.I would highly recommend this book to anyone concerned about the future of the world’s boreal forests and the future of our atmosphere!

Treeline is a must-read for anyone interested in climate change, planetary health, and our future prospects.Starting in Scotland and proceeding eastward around the northern hemisphere all the way across Europe, Asia, and North America, to Greenland, the author reveals the boreal forest's history and current and projected fate and its significance for life on land and in the seas. Readers meet the scientists who've made the forest and permafrost and glaciers their life work and people like the Saami and their reindeer whose existence depends on the forest. Beautifully researched, experienced, and written Treeline takes readers on a life-changing journey. Packed with information, Treeline is a must-read for citizens, policy makers, activists, and anyone who assumed that what's happening in the North is inconsequential.

the effort behind this book, its findings and the empathetic tone in which this whole book is written - it will make you realise the immensity of what is at stake with climate change

I highly recommend this book. It is an intelligent, knowledgeable, well researched look at what is happening to boreal forests around the globe. The fellow researchers the author connects with have important and valuable information and some of the author's adventures in connecting to boreal forests are most memorable. I bought two extra copies to give to my family as presents - that will tell you how valuable and interesting I think this book is!

Well written. Fun. Full of adventure. Sad. Worth crying over. A great explanation of what is happening to the Boreal Forest. I applaud the author for sharing this knowledge.