Presents two influential scientists, William Vogt (1902-1968), and Norman Borlaug (1914-2009), whose diametrically opposed views shaped modern understandings about the environment and related public policies.

Over the last half billion years, there have been five major mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on Earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists are currently monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. This time around the cataclysm is us. In this book the author tells us why and how human beings have altered life on the planet in a way no species...

"Once upon a time a creek burbled up and tumbled across a prairie valley. It was filled with insects and brook trout that ate them, frogs that chirruped and birds watching for bugs and fish. This is a true story about a man named Mike who went looking for that creek long after it was buried under fields of corn. It is the story of how a creek can be brought back to life, and with it a whole world of nature. In the words of award-winning author Jacqueline...

"This is the story of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, who was raised on an Iowa farm, and who went on to develop strains of wheat that were resistant to disease and produced much more grain than earlier strains. These new versions of wheat are credited with averting famine in Mexico, India, and other nations, resulting in perhaps a billion lives saved. For this, Dr. Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970."-From back cover.

"Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle readers, with color photographs throughout. Find out why the ocean matters, why it is an amazing place and what you can do to keep it that way."--