The Darkness Manifesto

How Light Pollution Threatens the Ancient Rhythms of Life

The Darkness Manifesto
Johan Ekloef, Elizabeth DeNoma
RRP:
NZ$ 55.00
Our Price:
NZ$ 44.00
Hardback
h222 x 138mm - 240pg
3 Nov 2022 UK
International import eta 7-19 days
9781847927156
Out Of Stock
Currently no stock in-store, stock is sourced to your order
This is the first book about the science and natural history of darknessHow much light is too much light? Satellite pictures show our planet as a brightly glowing orb. In our era of 24/7 illumination, an excess of light is a pressing problem. Just about every creature on earth, humans included, operates according to the circadian rhythm. The world' s flora and fauna have evolved to operate in the natural cycle of day and night, but in 2021, light pollution has become a major issue. Swedes have always had to deal with extremes of light and dark, thanks to the short winter days and bright summer nights- but these days there are few corners of the world that don' t have their own artificial "white nights. "This well-researched book challenges our instinctual fear of the dark and urges us to cherish the darkness, its creatures, and its unique beauties. Ekl f ponders the beauties of the night sky, traces the errant paths of light-drunk moths and the swift dives of keen-eyed owls. He explains the echolocation of bats and shrews and shows us the bioluminescent creatures of the deepest oceans. Johan Ekl f has a doctorate in zoology and is one of the world' s preeminent bat experts. He lives in the west of Sweden, where he works as a conservationist and copywriter. As a devoted friend of the night, in THE DARKNESS MANIFESTO, he writes urgently and personally about the damage we inflict on ourselves and our fellow creatures simply by keeping the lights on. He depicts in the domino effect of diminishing darkness- insects dumbfounded by streetlights failing to reproduce, birds blinded and bewildered by lights, bats starving as they wait in vain for food insects that only come out in the dark of night, and humans growing ever more stressed and obese from light-induced sleep disturbances. The light bulb - for a long time the very symbol of progress and development - needs to be turned off. There is still hope for nocturnal life. Perhaps the next generation will be able to gaze out into the starry sky the same way mankind did before the discovery of electricity. Carpe diem? Carpe noctem!
Absolutely wonderful, full of graceful insight and gentle persuasion -- Chris Goodall, author of What We Need to Do Now One of life' s small pleasures is listening to someone who' s hugely passionate about a subject and who knows knows everything about it. The Darkness Manifesto delivers such an experience. I never knew the night could be this fascinating or that there was so much I wanted to know about it. Highly recommendable read * Nicklas Brendborg, author of Jellyfish Age Backwards * An urgent and erudite hymn to the night, composed by a scientist with the soul of a poet * Chloe Aridjis, author of Book of Clouds * Superb. . . takes us on an exciting journey through multiple and fascinating areas of nocturnal biology. . . A critically important must-read for all who have an interest in the health of our planet * Russell Foster, author of Life Time *
Johan Ekloef, PhD, is a Swedish bat scientist and writer, most known for his work on microbat vision and more recently, light pollution. He lives in the west of Sweden, where he works as a conservationist and copywriter. Johan has studied bats for almost twenty years and now has his own consultancy company, hired by authorities, wind companies, municipalities, city planners and environmental organizations as an expert on bats, night ecology, and nature-friendly lighting. The Darkness Manifesto is his first book to be translated into English. Dr. Elizabeth DeNoma is a literary translator from Scandinavian languages, as well as a developmental editor and publishing consultant specialising in international literature. In addition to The Darkness Manifesto, her recent translations include Jellyfish Age Backwards by Nicklas Brendborg and Winter Swimming by Susanna Soberg.
Status: Indent title, imported to order
ISBN-13: 9781847927156
Published: 3 Nov 2022
Published In: United Kingdom
Imprint: The Bodley Head
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Format: Hardback
Height: 222mm
Width: 138mm
Spine: 28mm
Weight: 500g
Pages: 240

In stock - for items in stock we aim to dispatch the next business day. For delivery in NZ allow 2-5 business days, with rural taking a wee bit longer.

Locally sourced in NZ - stock comes from a NZ supplier with an approximate delivery of 7-15 business days.

International Imports - stock is imported into NZ, depending on air or sea shipping option from the international supplier stock can take 10-30 working days to arrive into NZ. 

Pre-order Titles - delivery will vary depending on where the title is published, if local stock is available in NZ then 5-7 business days, for international imports it can be 10-30 business days. In all cases we will access the quickest supply option.

Delivery Packaging - we ship all items in cardboard sleeves or by box with either packing paper or corn starch chips. (We avoid using plastics bubble bags)

Tracking - Orders are delivered by track and trace courier and are fully insured, tracking information will be sent by email once dispatched.

View our full Order & Delivery information