Scan barcode
lalawoman416's review
5.0
Keep calm and carry on and all that. Actually, Shellenberger doesn't tell you to carry on. He tells you to save the planet. He simply thinks the truth will do. No need to be alarmists about it. No need to manipulate.
nixynox's review
5.0
It was really interesting. It brought up several different aspects of climate change I hadn't ever thought about before. It definitely challenged my view and the way I think about the role of conservation in our lives. It's still really important. Maybe just not as deadly as we have been led to believe, and should be approached differently than we are now.
jimmyceroneii's review
4.0
While I'm not impressed with the science (Vaclov Smil is a much better choice to learn about energy + agriculture), I do think Shellenberger presents worrying conflicts of interest among many environmentalists. This book is a sober reminder that anyone can become bigoted. It has inspired me to look deeper into the issues and take less at face value, including this book.
After further reflection, I'm going to go further and say this book is not scientifically rigorous. While it makes interesting points, there is lots of laziness. An example is Shellenberger's assertion that rising levels of anxiety among younger generations are a direct cause of environmental alarmism. While I won't rule it out, it's far from the only factor at play (cough, cough, Social Media) and at the very least a vast oversimplification.
After further reflection, I'm going to go further and say this book is not scientifically rigorous. While it makes interesting points, there is lots of laziness. An example is Shellenberger's assertion that rising levels of anxiety among younger generations are a direct cause of environmental alarmism. While I won't rule it out, it's far from the only factor at play (cough, cough, Social Media) and at the very least a vast oversimplification.
dwimblim's review
4.0
4.5. Really good information and a perspective on climate science that should be more mainstream. Felt like the book was disjointed at times or could be worded more clearly, but I enjoyed it anyways.
wrycounsel's review
5.0
Essential reading. Esp about the colonial BS of white environmentalism and the lies about nuclear power
ks2_alwaysreading's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Shellenberger addressed and asked some very legitimate questions regarding climate change and environmental alarmism, some that I myself have asked. So many people in my field and in my educational courses are totally on board with the sound-the-alarm about the alarmist, doomsday forecast for our climate, and they totally overlook the hugely hypocritical and inaccurate arguments of their viewpoint. One of his main points is that those people who are the most apocalyptic tend to oppose the best solutions to helping solve environmental issues (xiii). This causes more problems than it helps to solve.
I do have some critiques of the book; the author does jump from topic to topic and sometimes the contents of a chapter are sort of hard to figure out how they relate to one another.
Some main points that stood out to me:
-AOC has been known to use exaggerated/false timeframes for climate-related projections. So many of my peers idolize her, and yet she says things that are problematic or just simply not based on fact.
-When the whole Amazon-was-on-fire news story broke that many celebrities spoke out about in 2019, many of the pictures that were shared weren't even from 2019 or even from the Amazon at all (30).
-Greenpeace and other NGOs often advocate for policies and solutions that lead to more habitat fragmentation and promote deforestation (38).
-He discusses the assumption that in terms of "bio" products, people assume that they're better, but that isn't necessarily the case. It depends on where the raw materials come from. Bioplastics can't really be recycled. The whole idea that "natural" things are better also falls apart when talking about using elephant ivory, or hawksbill tortoises for tortoiseshell items (261).
-The various hypocrisies of Bill McKibben and his 350.org. For example, they advocate against using natural gas when it is in fact cleaner than coal (118). Also, 350.org, along with the Sierra Clube, NRDC, and other environmental NGOs, are all funded by fossil fuel billionaires (204). Some of those billionaires argue that they're money isn't all from fossil fuels (ie. Michael Bloomberg) or that the companies are moving away from fossil fuels, but the fact still remains. These NGOs receive funds from people who earned money off of fossil fuels.
-He raises the question to vegetarians: why would it be unethical for humans to eat animals but not unethical for animals to eat humans (137).
-Many celebrities who stand up for climate change action don't walk the talk. They still live extravagant lifestyles and fly in private jets and charter private yachts. They acknowledge their guilt yet flaunt their special status, and somehow, the public seems to be okay with it.
I do have some critiques of the book; the author does jump from topic to topic and sometimes the contents of a chapter are sort of hard to figure out how they relate to one another.
Some main points that stood out to me:
-AOC has been known to use exaggerated/false timeframes for climate-related projections. So many of my peers idolize her, and yet she says things that are problematic or just simply not based on fact.
-When the whole Amazon-was-on-fire news story broke that many celebrities spoke out about in 2019, many of the pictures that were shared weren't even from 2019 or even from the Amazon at all (30).
-Greenpeace and other NGOs often advocate for policies and solutions that lead to more habitat fragmentation and promote deforestation (38).
-He discusses the assumption that in terms of "bio" products, people assume that they're better, but that isn't necessarily the case. It depends on where the raw materials come from. Bioplastics can't really be recycled. The whole idea that "natural" things are better also falls apart when talking about using elephant ivory, or hawksbill tortoises for tortoiseshell items (261).
-The various hypocrisies of Bill McKibben and his 350.org. For example, they advocate against using natural gas when it is in fact cleaner than coal (118). Also, 350.org, along with the Sierra Clube, NRDC, and other environmental NGOs, are all funded by fossil fuel billionaires (204). Some of those billionaires argue that they're money isn't all from fossil fuels (ie. Michael Bloomberg) or that the companies are moving away from fossil fuels, but the fact still remains. These NGOs receive funds from people who earned money off of fossil fuels.
-He raises the question to vegetarians: why would it be unethical for humans to eat animals but not unethical for animals to eat humans (137).
-Many celebrities who stand up for climate change action don't walk the talk. They still live extravagant lifestyles and fly in private jets and charter private yachts. They acknowledge their guilt yet flaunt their special status, and somehow, the public seems to be okay with it.
jmmcand's review
4.0
Let me state my bias before giving this review. I have lived in the deep south of the US for most of my life. I accept the science of climate change and that man has been a major contributor to it. But I am not an alarmist. In short, I roll my eyes when Trump says it's a Chinese hoax and slap my forehead at AOC's Green New Deal. Like most Americans (according to polls), I want us to take some action but not go crazy.
I feel this book should be read by alarmists or environmental activists; but not my most of my friends. That's because most of them believe climate change is a global conspiracy/hoax and only God can change the climate.
I'm giving four stars because the book does what the title suggests. It points out we should not freak out over everything. I myself still drive an SUV, eats lots of red meat, nor have solar panels on my house. All that being said; this author has unrealistic expectations. I don't understand what his point was in Chapter 9. Yes, we all understand solar, wind and other renewables are not as efficient yet. But geezz, we have to give innovation time; and yes sometimes a lot of time. The author finds every nuance of any progress as less than perfection. Thus I'm labeling the author as an Eeyore. Let's just make sure we don't have him in charge of innovation.
Perhaps I do need to educate myself more as I view climate change different that trying to save every species. Not that I want any animal to go extinct; but I am not paying too much attention to the whales or polar bears. I do agree and appreciate him addressing "free range" and genetically-modified foods. I love a great steak so not totally into the free range/organic stuff.
Also, I'm so tired of hearing about Al Gore. I'm glad he won the Noble Prize; otherwise, the US and many other countries would not be taking any action (oh wait, Trump isn't doing anything). Al Gore is old news and it doesn't bother me some Hollywood elites can be hypocritical either. Yes, I rather it be scientists doing all the talking; but scientists don't get the attention required for political will. It's pretty typical to have speakers fly to give speeches, so lay off that a little. Yes, I do wish those speakers would stick more to the systems and macro-level strategies rather than lecture us on our day-to-day. But again, in the US we have congressmen bringing in snowballs saying that proves the climate is not warming....so I cut them some slack.
I do agree with him on nuclear power; which seems to be his biggest solution. While I agree with him; not sure the world is going to change its opinion on nuclear anytime soon; so we probably should have some backup options. That's why I reading about numerous success stories of wind/solar. Perfect? No. Completely ready to take over? No....but again, the author didn't seem to provide any success stories that exist. He pointed out the news story about the soccer ball Obama used about how inefficient it was. Way too go Eeyore.
I feel this book should be read by alarmists or environmental activists; but not my most of my friends. That's because most of them believe climate change is a global conspiracy/hoax and only God can change the climate.
I'm giving four stars because the book does what the title suggests. It points out we should not freak out over everything. I myself still drive an SUV, eats lots of red meat, nor have solar panels on my house. All that being said; this author has unrealistic expectations. I don't understand what his point was in Chapter 9. Yes, we all understand solar, wind and other renewables are not as efficient yet. But geezz, we have to give innovation time; and yes sometimes a lot of time. The author finds every nuance of any progress as less than perfection. Thus I'm labeling the author as an Eeyore. Let's just make sure we don't have him in charge of innovation.
Perhaps I do need to educate myself more as I view climate change different that trying to save every species. Not that I want any animal to go extinct; but I am not paying too much attention to the whales or polar bears. I do agree and appreciate him addressing "free range" and genetically-modified foods. I love a great steak so not totally into the free range/organic stuff.
Also, I'm so tired of hearing about Al Gore. I'm glad he won the Noble Prize; otherwise, the US and many other countries would not be taking any action (oh wait, Trump isn't doing anything). Al Gore is old news and it doesn't bother me some Hollywood elites can be hypocritical either. Yes, I rather it be scientists doing all the talking; but scientists don't get the attention required for political will. It's pretty typical to have speakers fly to give speeches, so lay off that a little. Yes, I do wish those speakers would stick more to the systems and macro-level strategies rather than lecture us on our day-to-day. But again, in the US we have congressmen bringing in snowballs saying that proves the climate is not warming....so I cut them some slack.
I do agree with him on nuclear power; which seems to be his biggest solution. While I agree with him; not sure the world is going to change its opinion on nuclear anytime soon; so we probably should have some backup options. That's why I reading about numerous success stories of wind/solar. Perfect? No. Completely ready to take over? No....but again, the author didn't seem to provide any success stories that exist. He pointed out the news story about the soccer ball Obama used about how inefficient it was. Way too go Eeyore.
janbo's review
4.0
While I found the extensive detour about environmental conservation somewhat distracting and the general narrative structure suboptimally organized, this book is a profound and supremely relevant work on climate change nonetheless.