Emily Monosson

Emily Monosson

Emily Monosson is a toxicologist and author, a member of the Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship, and holds an adjunct faculty position in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In recent years, her focus has turned toward the impact of industrial age chemicals and technology on food and medicine. Her most recent books are Natural Defense: Enlisting Bugs and Germs to Save Our Food and Medicine, Unnatural Selection: How We Are Changing Life Gene by Gene, and Evolution in a Toxic World: How Life Responds to Chemical Threats. She has published in The Scientist, Aeon, LA Times, American Scientist, and Whole Terrain in addition to academic journals and blogs somewhat regularly at toxicevolution.wordpress.com.


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Perchlorates and Fireworks: There is Hope

By Emily Monosson / On June 29th, 2017
Who doesn’t love fireworks? (Aside from our dog, our kids when they were little, and apparently birds – although no surprise there really). It’s also likely that those who are responsible for ensuring water quality have mixed feelings when the sparks start flying. I don’t want to be the kill-joy, but when Island Press asked if there are any enviro-downers for fireworks, a single word popped into my mind: perchlorate.
foreword Friday

#ForewordFriday: Nature's Chemistry Edition

By Katharine Sucher / On June 23rd, 2017
Bugs and germs are big problems—and they’re evolving. Each year, 2,300 people in the U.S. die from drug-resistant bacterial infections and farmers lose billions of dollars of crops to insects that evade pesticides. But there is reason for hope. In the fight to protect our food and health, bugs and germs may also be part of the solution. Natural Defense by veteran science writer Emily Monosson is the first book to bring readers into this exciting new world.

SCIENTISTS: WHY I MARCHED

By Emily Monosson / On February 7th, 2017
Emily Monosson, author of the forthcoming Natural Defense, marched at the DC Women's March on January 21, 2017. Inspired by the number of scientists that marched, she collected photos and a few words from scientists who marched around the country.

Whatever Happened To That Lyme Vaccine?

By Emily Monosson / On January 31st, 2017
For the past couple of years, I’ve been wondering why the Vet can vaccinate our dog for Lyme*, but the best our doctor can offer is a dose of doxycyline, ex post facto. Why is it, despite the spraying and tucking and checking out the nooks and crannies post-walk, a simple stroll on a glorious summer day is more of a health risk for humans than for their best friend? (And here in Western MA, it’s a big risk.) Why isn’t there a human Lyme vaccine? In part, there isn’t a human vaccine thanks to the anti-vax movement.
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Island Press Holiday Gift Guide 2016

By Katharine Sucher / On December 14th, 2016
This holiday season, give the gift of an Island Press book. With a catalog of more than 1,000 books, we guarantee there's something for everyone on your shopping list. Check out our list of staff selections, and share your own ideas in the comments below.  For the OUTDOORSPERSON in your life: