Terra Viva: My Life in a Biodiversity of Movements

by Vandana Shiva Narrated by Sudha Bhuchar

Overview

Vandana Shiva has been described in many ways: the “Gandhi of Grain,” “a rock star” in the battle against GMOs, and “the most powerful voice” for people of the developing world. For over four decades, she has vociferously advocated for diversity, indigenous knowledge, localization, and real democracy; she has been at the forefront of seed saving, food sovereignty, and connecting the dots between the destruction of nature, the polarization of societies, and indiscriminate corporate greed. In Terra Viva, Dr. Shiva shares her most memorable campaigns, alongside some of the world's most celebrated activists and environmentalists, all working toward a livable planet and healthier democracies. For the very first time, she also recounts the stories of her childhood in post-partition India?the influence of the Himalayan forests she roamed; her parents, who saw no difference in the education of boys and girls at a time when this was not the norm; and the Chipko movement, whose women were “the real custodians of biodiversity-related knowledge.” Throughout, Shiva's pursuit of a unique intellectual path marrying quantum physics with science, technology, and environmental policy will captivate listeners. Terra Viva is a celebration of a remarkable life and a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges we face moving forward?including those revealed by the COVID crisis, the privatization of biotechnology, and the commodification of our biological and natural resources.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Shiva’s book is a record of a remarkable life and a compelling assessment of the challenges we face. We would all be a little more informed, inspired, perhaps even wise, after reading it.”—Geographical

Library Journal

09/01/2022

Shiva (Who Really Feeds the World?), an activist in the biodiversity and sustainable agriculture movements for many years, has written 13 other books on conservation and the Westernization of agriculture. In her latest work, she argues that the villages of the Indian forests managed to preserve their productivity for centuries, but industrial farming, such as the replacement of oak forests with fast-growth pine trees, has had many unconsidered deleterious effects. An ecologically sustainable and just approach to biodiversity conservation needs to begin by halting and reversing the primary threats to biodiversity. Her view of the Green Revolution is one of serious damage to the environment and the economic destruction of small farmers. This memoir recounts her activities both in India and in international forums to resist forces like the World Trade Organization, GMOs, and political projects to clear land for intensive food production. The issues it addresses are of worldwide concern. VERDICT For agriculture collections, both academic and public.—Edwin Burgess

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176861914
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	11/08/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged

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