The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2024

Award-winning environmentalist, author, and journalist Bill McKibben selects twenty science and nature essays that represent the best examples of the form published in the previous year. This was the most anomalous year (so far) in human history, guest editor Bill McKibben writes, the year in which the relationship between people and planet showed its most dramatic signs yet of unraveling. The selections in The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2024 reveal a trying year for our planetfrom the Lahaina wildfire tragedy to the lush Amazon jungle slowly turning to savannawhile also celebrating the earths beautiful and mysterious waysfrom the largest beaver dam on earth to the heroic innovation to prevent birds from crashing into Chicagos expanse of glass buildings. These essays offer solace in trying times, showing a way for a better future. They are, as McKibben says, a reminder that this world is still a lovely and deep place, well worth the fighting for. The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2024 includes IAN FRAZIER AMANDA GEFTER DOUGLAS FOX SARAH KAPLAN BEN GOLDFARB RAYMOND ZHONG ALEX CUADROS AND OTHERS