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Paul Hawken

'An artist would be challenged to create such replicas': How looking closer reveals the beauty and lethal efficiency of insects

Eye spots on the outer hindwings of a giant owl butterfly (Caligo idomeneus).

In this excerpt from "Carbon: The Book of Life" (Viking, 2025), author and environmentalist Paul Hawken delves into the world of insects and the incredible adaptations critters like dragonflies and butterflies have evolved to help them survive. Hawken hopes that by zooming in on some of Earth's less popular inhabitants, people can gain a better appreciation for life, which he says is the key to stopping and reversing the climate crisis.


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