THE PLANT THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

Papyrus, the center of the oldest man-plant relationship in human civilization, evokes the mysteries of ancient history and also holds the key to the future of our world’s wetlands and atmospheric stability.

From ancient Pharaohs to 21st Century water wars, papyrus is a unique plant that is now the fastest growing plant species on earth. It produces its own “soil”— a peaty matrix that floats on water—and inspired the fluted columns of the ancient Greeks. In ancient Egypt, the papyrus bounty from the Nile delta provided not just paper for record keeping—instrumental to the development of civilization—but food, fuel and boats. Disastrous weather in the 6th Century caused famines and plagues that almost wiped out civilization in the west, but it was papyrus to the rescue. Today, it is not just a curious relic of our ancient past, but a rescue the modern ecological and societal blight of pollution. Ironically, Egypt, faced with enormous pollution loads that force them to import food supplies, relies heavily on papyrus -- one of the most effective and efficient natural pollution filters known to man. And papyrus was the key in stemming devastation to the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River from raging peat fires (these fires burn for years). The papyrus laden shores of Lake Victoria—which provides water to more than 30 million people—will be a crucial focus as as global drying continues. Micro-histories like "Salt" and "Cod" that also touch on social issues are proven sellers; THE PLANT THAT CHANGED THE WORLD has all of that and more — its social and environmental cache make it newsworthy in addition to it's fascinating history (Ancient Egypt is a perennial favorite). Dr. Gaudet is a professional ecologist and has worked with the U.S. government and the National Geographic Society as an ecologist and primary environmental advisor. Now a writer and consultant, his work has appeared in The Washington Post and he remains active in African, agricultural, and conservation/environmental agencies. Gaudet has a huge social media presence; his website http://www.fieldofreeds.co gets more than 500 unique hits daily.