As climate change continues to batter the coastlines of North America and elsewhere, and as extreme weather events provide abundant proof of its reality, religious leaders can no longer ignore the fact that the human has become a geologic force, a force that must be re-educated and re-formed in order to guarantee safe passage into a sustainable future. Hopefully, Jesuits and their lay partners can continue to provide leadership in regard to this issue, correctly identified by Fr Adolfo Nicolás, SJ, as a top priority. In this particular context, the role of religions and their valuable contributions must be evaluated. Religion’s role is not simply one of morality; rather, it seeks, especially in Christianity, to show the face of God. It is out of this relation that believers then seek to live towards the “good,” especially in relation to their neighbours, creation and God. Religious believers may have failed severely in communicating this relationship in the twenty-first century. This publication gathers together a roster of Western and Asian experts’ contributions from various fields of knowledge related to ecology, anthropology, religions and ethics, economics, technology, and to environmental and health protection studies. This collection of essays embracing a wide scope of current topics, theme and questions will renew awareness of the ecological dilemma and stimulate reflection on its spiritual and social dimensions.

This book offers plausible explanations for people’s puzzling unwillingness to address the human-nature interactions that have led us to the precipice that is climate change today. Humanity and nature are at war; the evidence is all around us: catastrophic weather events, rising sea levels, extinction of species, famine, wildfires, melting polar ice, millions of environmental refugees, and toxic pollution of air, water, and soil. The list goes on and on. What is causing this war, and how can it be stopped? Is this war an unintended consequence of economic and environmental imperatives pulling in opposite directions? This book takes the question—and its answer—to a deeper level. It argues that the root cause of our war on nature might be found in the time-honored, historically deep myths, narratives and stories we tell ourselves—and have been telling ourselves for centuries—about humanity’s place in (or out of) the natural world.

What are the sources of solidarity? Do universalist motives have an important place among them? And how are they related to arguments about human nature and about truth? In this new book, Norman Geras engages with the work of Richard Rorty to explore the paradoxes of a liberalism which rejects any determinate view of human nature. He begins by examining Rorty's thesis concerning rescuer behavior during the Holocaust. Measuring it against existing research on the subject and the testimony of rescuers themselves, Geras questions Rorty's use of their moral example as a challenge to universalist assumptions. He then considers some of the problems in Rorty's anti-essentialism: his shifting usages of "human nature"; the paradoxical plea for extensive forms of solidarity on the basis of parochial communitarian premises; the relationship of pragmatist notions of truth to issues of justice; and the project of a democratic, would-be "humanist" utopia grounded only on contingencies. Solidarity in the Conversation of Humankind is an imagined dialogue with Rorty-influential, eloquent and unorthodox champion of a human radical liberalism.

Children, Childhood, and Development in Evolutionary Perspective -- Changeable Children: Evolved Plasticity and Development -- Adaptable Ancestors: Developmental Plasticity and Evolution -- Embryos and Ancestors -- The Adaptive Value of Immaturity (or The Benefits To Being Young at Heart) -- Developing the Evolved Social Brain -- Evolutionary Mismatches in the Development of Today's Children -- Epilogue: How Children Invented Humanity.

This book explores the connections between risk and responsibilisation in official communication to the public about the global risks of the pandemic and climate change. Our media spheres in the 2020s have been saturated with information about what we should or should not be doing to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Although the ability of risk communication to ‘responsibilise’ the public is central to its functioning in our societies, this aspect has so far been under-investigated in academia. To address this lacuna, Antoinette Fage-Butler develops a discursive approach to risk communication that focuses on the values that are communicated in risk messages. Examples of official risk communication about the pandemic and climate change from national and transnational contexts are analysed and compared, leading to new empirical findings and theoretical insights about the nature of risk and responsibilisation. Fage-Butler also builds on recent stirrings in the evolving field of risk communication that highlight the importance of cultural and value-related factors. Overall, this book will equip researchers with an approach to risk communication that reflects the complexity of today’s global risk challenges. Risk and Responsibilisation in Public Communication will be of great interest to students and scholars of risk communication, public health and environmental studies.

"Shadows Unveiled: Understanding the Dual Nature of Humanity" is a thought-provoking and insightful journey into the depths of the human psyche. Written specifically for thoughtful young adults navigating their path in the digital age, it takes readers on an illuminating voyage of self-discovery. Pain. A universal yet unique experience that we, as humans, all endure. This book reveals the pain of living in a world where we often don the masks of a social persona, suppressing our true selves. It delves into the pain of ethical dilemmas, of decisions that we must make at the crossroads of morality. It also uncovers the pain of facing our fears and despair, of standing at the edge of the abyss, staring into the unknown. Agitation. The discomfort of battling the nature vs. nurture debate within ourselves. The anxiety of surrendering to the dark side of ambition, questioning if the sacrifices we make for success are indeed worthwhile. The torment of being suspended between love and hate, the two emotions that can simultaneously occupy our hearts. And, the distress of discerning between the ego and the id, of unraveling the complexities of our psyche. But every shadow has a silver lining. Every journey through darkness ultimately leads to light. This is where the book offers a solution - a unique exploration of self-discovery and understanding. It helps you embrace the complexities of human behavior, move beyond the binary notions of good and evil, and navigate the delicate balance between conflicting emotions. It guides you on the path towards finding harmony within and inspires you towards either enlightenment or oblivion, as you continue to unravel the dual nature of your being. Owning this ebook presents several benefits. It offers a safe space for introspection and helps make sense of the myriad emotions that define your identity. It offers a holistic understanding of the human psyche, using insights from various disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and philosophy. This newfound knowledge empowers you to make more informed decisions in life and cultivate healthier relationships with yourself and others. Moreover, this profound exploration into the duality of man aids in self-discovery and personal growth. By the end of this journey, you'll carry with you a deeper understanding of the intricate dance of shadows that shapes your existence. So, are you ready to embark on this transformative journey? To peer into the depths of your psyche and confront the shadows that govern your thoughts, actions, and choices? Are you ready to unearth the dual nature of your humanity? Unlock the secrets of your psyche. Buy "Shadows Unveiled: Understanding the Dual Nature of Humanity" today and begin your enlightening journey towards self-discovery.

This book presents specific key natural and artificial systems that are promising biocatalysts in the areas of health, agriculture, environment and energy. It provides a comprehensive account of the state of the art of these systems and outlines the significant progress made in the last decade using these systems to develop innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. Chapters from expert contributors explore how natural enzymes and artificial systems tackle specific targets such as: climate change, carbon footprint and economy and carbon dioxide utilisation; nitrogen footprint and fixation and nitrous oxide mitigation; hydrogen production, fuel cells and energy from bacteria; biomass transformation and production of added-value compounds, as well as biosensors development. This book provides an important and inspiring account for the designing of new natural and artificial systems with enhanced properties, and it appeals not only to students and researchers working in the fields of energy, health, food and environment, but also to a wider audience of educated readers that are interested in these up-to-date and exciting subjects. Chapter “Carbon Dioxide Utilisation—The Formate Route” is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

However you view the present time, it is a new century, a new world, and also a new humanity - in fact, humanity is not something that was ever defined once and for all, but remains an open project. For several decades we have been witnessing a revolution. However, unlike the political and ideological revolutions that took place around the First World War, this is a technological and much more radical one that does not depend on people's beliefs, but rather on the tireless labour of machines. The rise of automation has brought about a revelation of something that had hitherto remained hidden in the workshops of homo faber. That is, there are very few functions, apart from consumption, where a machine cannot replace a human being, be these material or spiritual - machines need energy, but they can also do without it, whereas humans die if deprived of it, or one can imagine a machine producing symphonies, but not enjoying them. So while human beings are still needed, their roles and scopes have to be reconsidered. Workers may be superfluous, but humans are still needed, including those who until recently only recognised themselves as producers. The exclusion of workers from production does not discount humans being able to produce value in the form of consumption. Recognising this will enable us to conceive the "Webfare" - a new digital system that will teach us to find new names and new forms, more tolerance and room for traditional human needs. Above all, it will teach us how to transform the time given to us by automation into an opportunity for progress.