How Light Makes Life: The Hidden Wonders and World-Saving Powers of Photosynthesis

Description

A revelatory journey of discovery into the intricate, beautiful, and often surprising processes that convert energy from the sun into life, and how all-important these are to our survival—and our planet’s future It’s a clunky word for a miracle: Photosynthesis. But there’s no life on Earth without it. For biologist Raffael Jovine, it’s a consuming passion, a great unsung force of nature. He makes his case in How Light Makes Life, a catalog of living wonders—and a blueprint for a better planet. Imagine harvesting pure sunlight to use as fuel, while turning carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen. This is what a leaf does every day. And photosynthesis isn’t just for plants: Corals partner with photosynthetic organisms to create the most productive habitat on Earth. Slugs eat chloroplasts as natural green camouflage. Hornets use photosynthesis as an innovative means of air-conditioning—and much more! The revelatory vision of How Light Makes Life is how we ourselves might harness the power of photosynthesis: to repair ecosystems, stabilize the climate, and grow more food sustainably. On this vivid journey, you’ll see how every seed contains the key to our future—through the photosynthetic pigments in your own eyes! Cover Copyright Title page Contents Prologue Why write about photosynthesis? Chapter 1: What Is Photosynthesis? Discovery Mystics, priests, and physicians Feeding the masses, fueling the revolution Chapter 2: Sun-Powered Changes to Earth In the beginning The “Great Oxygenation Event” (and a near-death moment) Planetary rebound The other essential ingredients for life Chapter 3: The Photosynthesizers Our new friends, bacterial photosynthesizers Working together Creating ecosystems Not so tiny photosynthesizers Why these new forms of photosynthesis matter Chapter 4: The Planet's Very Thin and Living Veneer Can we use photosynthesis to rebalance our world? Chapter 5: Good News . . . And Bad The agricultural miracle Why wild animals matter The opposite of an ice age Why politics matters, too Chapter 6: How Photosynthesis Can Save the World The bottom line—or “what’s in it for us” Bigger crops and “pastural care” A revolutionary new product Greening coastal deserts and other seaside tales Can we improve photosynthesis? Chapter 7: Harvest the Light We can be the solution Notes Acknowledgments Index About the Author Back cover