"From climate change to biodiversity loss to resource scarcity, the Earth faces numerous challenges in the age of humans. Understanding Imperiled Earth presents archaeology and deep history as the roadmap to navigate and address the modern environmental crisis, to build baselines for healthy ecosystems, and to create more effective restoration plans. In myriad ways the past matters for future Earth: the study of animal bones from archaeological sites can assist in wildlife recovery; the remnants of ancient meals can inform fishing regulations; and much more. Anthropologist Todd J. Braje explores the ecological consequences of humans throughout history, such as deforestation in medieval Europe or the rise of densely populated cities. He draws connections between those events and today's environmental crises, using real examples from around the world that highlight Earth's vulnerabilities, including the wave of bird extinctions in Hawai'i, the absence of old growth trees to authentically restore Notre-Dame in Paris, and exorbitant cost of Pacific bluefin tuna in Tokyo markets as a result of rampant overfishing. Braje offers practical suggestions to confront environmental issues, including bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives, studying climatic shifts and ecological changes, and committing to efforts like urban forests, sustainable food webs, and more. With its illuminating purview of Earth and human history and positive perspective, Understanding Imperiled Earth is an essential book that will reinvigorate anyone invested in finding solutions to the climate crisis." -- Book jacket