The Treeline

Authors: Ben Rawlence
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
Edition: 1
Publish Year: 2022
ISBN: 9781787332256

The six trees that characterise this little-known region (Larch, Spruce, Mountain Ash, Downy Birch, Poplar and Scots Pine) form the protagonists of Ben Rawlence's story. He travels to Scotland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia, Canada, Alaska and Greenland to discover what these trees and the people who live and work with them have to tell us about the future of our planet. The significance of this ring of forest and its rich biome has only recently begun to be understood. How the species in this zone respond to warming will shape the ability of the boreal forest to produce the fresh air and fresh water that sustains life on earth.

The Treeline offers insights into the nature of our changing climate over the coming decades and a stark vision of the future. This is a spellbinding blend of reportage, nature, travel and science writing, deeply researched and beautifully written, underpinned by a startling and urgent environmental message.