You don't have to be a student at UC Davis to learn from these professors. Their knowledge about the Earth and its environment is woven throughout these new books, including two from College of Letters and Science faculty, that came out in 2023 or are about to be published. From oceans, fire and evolution to transportation and sustainability, these books inspire action on the world’s most pressing environmental issues. 

At Every Depth

At Every Depth, by earth and planetary sciences professor Tessa Hill and writer Eric Simons, takes a deep and emotional dive into how human relationships with the ocean are shifting with the rapid changes occurring in the sea. 

“We tell stories of people who are rebuilding our connection to the ocean and carving a new, more sustainable way forward,” said Hill. 

From scientists to Indigenous community members to fishermen, these people have watched the coast change and the losses that accompany it. 

“We hope that other people see what we are losing, and what we have to hold onto.” Hill and Simons tell stories of hope and the merging of knowledge that is.  helping the world form a more sustainable future. 

At Every Depth will come out February 6, 2024, and is available now for pre-order. 

The Evolution of Power 

Published in November, The Evolution of Power: A New Understanding of the History of Life is Distinguished Earth and Planetary Sciences Professor Emeritus Geerat Vermeij’s seventh book. 

From his career with seashell fossils and drawn evidence from life and society, Vermeij explores how natural selection and evolution funnel toward increasing power and how this is closely connected to the evolution of humans. 

“Humans are, without any question, the most powerful species, both collectively and individually, that has ever lived on Earth,” said Vermeij. This “monopoly” on Earth causes problems, and Vermeij argues that we can find solutions by looking outside this human-centric view.