Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid: The Fraught and Fascinating Biology of Climate Change

Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid by Thor Hanson is enjoyable and accessible science writing that will appeal to a large demographic. “When complex ideas are attached to a narrative, they immediately become more relatable,” Hanson writes in his introduction. And he does a marvelous job of telling stories of climate change’s impact on species whose ecosystems are changing, the species changing, or dying, in response. And as Hanson takes us across the world, the book is an ecological travelogue.

We humans have known climate change has been happening, yet continued to believe it was ‘coming.’ Changing our lives and cultures hasn’t happened. And now, plants and animals across the globe are showing us that the change is already show more here. They are modifying their behaviors, even if we haven’t.

We are seeing before our eyes rapid changes in climate and shifting ecosystems. What can we learn from species adapting to these changes?

Hanson visits Waldon Pond, a major source of harvested ice in Thoreau’s time, while he found ice barely 2″ thick in February. He tells stories of the “greatest redistribution of species since the last ice age,” as Gretta Pecl stated. Some plants and animals “roll with the punches.” That gives some hope.

The book is illustrated with photographs. The ‘hurricane lizards,’ for instance, are shown during a wind test to see how they coped with gale force winds. Those with the largest toe pads could cling better. Those lizards survived the hurricanes.

The book is as enjoyable to read as it is informative. show less

This is not just another diatribe against climate change and environmental destruction but a fascinating look at how nature and wildlife have evolved in small ways, to thwart these dangerous changes. I have noticed subtle shifts in avian behavior. Of course, there is going to still be major losses, that cannot be avoided but it is encouraging to read a book that offers a glimmer of hope in these trying times.

This is a really nice little book about biology and climate change, aimed at the average reader. Reading it reminded me that I really do want to read more about science.

Hanson gives lots of examples of plant and animal species, and how they respond to changes in temperature; for example birds moving to higher elevations, and then crowding out the birds that had been in the higher elevations to start with. There are also stories of animals who adapt and take new opportunities. For example, the dovekie, or little Auk, was thought to be very vulnerable to climate change, but surprised scientists by thriving, because they ate plankton that they found off of melting Arctic glaciers. (Not a long term strategy, as eventually the glaciers will show more be all melted, but still.) show less

Equal parts natural history, memoir, and advocacy, I have to admit that I found this book rather slight; though the title is a great sales pitch! That said, it is well-written enough that I would consider reading something else by Hanson.

Explores the impact that climate change is already having in some species. Ranges are changing, dietary shifts are being made, evolution is “trying “to find solutions. Of course, extinction rears its ugly head…but this is a fascinating look at how the natural world is responding , even as we drag our feet

Interesting synthesis of climate change studies going on in many different scientific areas.
I never really understood how we can tell the climate is changing. After reading this book I feel very grounded in the supporting studies that explain it very well. I also can now challenge myself to really look around me and see what is changing and has changed as far as plants, animals, insects, the weather, the ocean and geological features. And, I am now able to follow the predictions of what is expected and understand why. Things are in a constant state of evolution to survive.

Conservation biologist Thor Hanson’s eminently readable exposition on climate change is informative and satisfying, ranging around the world and through time. This well-researched book elucidates biological and paleontological research in addition to recent studies of climate change.
Highly enjoyable, and very highly recommended.