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kirstentangedal's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Reading this book on a day that “felt like 41 degrees” with smoky conditions made it even more impactful. There was more physics than I had anticipated, however this book explained concepts in a way that allowed me to understand more than I ever have about climate change science. Highly recommend, it’s worth persevering through some of the drier parts to get to the discussion on politics and policy.
lunarblade0's review against another edition
4.0
(4.5/5) Overall, this book provides insight into the current reasons for the lack of climate action. Some of the concepts are a bit complex, but the author does a pretty good job of making the science accessible to a lay person. It’s an eye opener. With the recent IPCC report just out, it’s obvious that we are in a business-as-usual scenario. Just feelings of helplessness and frustration overall with those in power. Coal is ultimately the destructive force of this planet and the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Going to read up on nuclear energy next. This alternative energy source has the capability of completely phasing out fossil fuels while also being a safe option if done right. Highly recommend this book if you’re just diving into the science of climate change.
renatasnacks's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not really sure how to rate this. It was really boring and kind of a chore to read, but I wanted to read it because I respect his scientific research and I wanted some of that knowledge imparted on me. This was James Hansen's first book written for non-scientists, and like... you could tell. Every so often he would kind of put in an aside apologizing for it being too dense. It's clear that the information was good and that our planet is royally effed. Also I learned a lot about nuclear energy and how governmental science works.
But dang it took me a long time to get through all of that.
But dang it took me a long time to get through all of that.
socraticgadfly's review against another edition
5.0
First, Hansen isn't afraid to call out Democrats as well as Republicans for selling us short on honestly and seriously addressing global warming and climate change. Related to that, he's not afraid to call out international accords such as Kyoto as having an international political angle to them.
Second, because of the "angle" of the book, what might seem scaremongering from many an author isn't from him. Maybe the "extinction of homo sapiens" is a bit that way, but, given that H. sapiens sapiens, post rise of civiilization 10,000-12,000 years ago, has become so anchored to a finely tuned climate, he may not even be wrong about that.
As far as numbers, I have little doubt the world will crack 450ppm on CO2, at least, before reining it in. 500 ppm wouldn't totally surprise me, and if we hit that, Hansen's "runaway" theory may well become reality.
Third, he's not afraid to call out environmental groups for either playing "political footsie" or for displaying a knee-jerk negative reaction to the one electric power source that offers the most hope at getting us out of this mess, especially regarding coal -- and that's fast breeder nuclear reactors.
Hansen notes that breeder reactors would solve a fair amount of the nuclear waste problem associated with current reactors. As for the "terror" worry/hype, Hansen notes that other countries are going to be building these types of reactors anyway, and that we just need to spend some more money on security.
Finally, Hansen provides enough in the way of easy-to-follow charts and diagrams, with footnotes to more sources of information, to back this up and make it all readily understandable.
The one thing I disagree with him? The readiness of "we the people," whether in the U.S. or abroad, to demand the wrenching changes needed in numbers large enough to force politicians to act. Would that it were so, but I think Hansen's showing some Upper Midwest Scandinavian gentle-hearted naivete there.
Second, because of the "angle" of the book, what might seem scaremongering from many an author isn't from him. Maybe the "extinction of homo sapiens" is a bit that way, but, given that H. sapiens sapiens, post rise of civiilization 10,000-12,000 years ago, has become so anchored to a finely tuned climate, he may not even be wrong about that.
As far as numbers, I have little doubt the world will crack 450ppm on CO2, at least, before reining it in. 500 ppm wouldn't totally surprise me, and if we hit that, Hansen's "runaway" theory may well become reality.
Third, he's not afraid to call out environmental groups for either playing "political footsie" or for displaying a knee-jerk negative reaction to the one electric power source that offers the most hope at getting us out of this mess, especially regarding coal -- and that's fast breeder nuclear reactors.
Hansen notes that breeder reactors would solve a fair amount of the nuclear waste problem associated with current reactors. As for the "terror" worry/hype, Hansen notes that other countries are going to be building these types of reactors anyway, and that we just need to spend some more money on security.
Finally, Hansen provides enough in the way of easy-to-follow charts and diagrams, with footnotes to more sources of information, to back this up and make it all readily understandable.
The one thing I disagree with him? The readiness of "we the people," whether in the U.S. or abroad, to demand the wrenching changes needed in numbers large enough to force politicians to act. Would that it were so, but I think Hansen's showing some Upper Midwest Scandinavian gentle-hearted naivete there.
regferk's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I could say I feel any better about our situation, but I don't. Hansen did a great job of laying it all out though, even if he did get a little technical and dry at times. But, this is science after all.
msgtdameron's review against another edition
3.0
Hansen is a well respected climate scientist, has been on many public panels, Government committees, has spoken at commencements, graduations, invocations etc. and he is also a flagellate. The science is spot on, his conclusions may or may not be off but, the first four to six pages of every chapter he whips himself for NOT getting his point across. This is good and bad.
Good because he also explains what he was up against. Coal and oil lobbyists, politicians who had already made their minds up ,but were putting on a show for the public, Leaders who just don't see past four to six years and the next election. Even when they are friendly to climate changes reality. Business as usual wins every time. and Hansen got frustrated. His favorite line is "my grand daughter will say that Ompa new but couldn't convince any one." And he's right.
Those of us who fight the climate battle are Cassandra's. always telling the truth but destined to NOT be believed. Why? Because human greed trumps all else and those who have the money fail to realize that when the world gets to hot all your money will be useless. When the world gets to hot civilization will break down. The question is does civilization break down gently and in stair steps, as in Greers "Long Descent" or violently. SO Hansen has left us two questions. What do we do now to ease the descent and what is you escape plan?
The first answer and, why he wrote the book, is "Yes we have to keep up the fight." We must continue to cry like Cassandra, even though people think we are nuts or crazy, or environmental activists. Because as we slow the use of carbon we buy time for our kids to work out the escape plan. The second question comes from the fact that we are fighting a many headed giant called big carbon, oil, gas, coal industries, their politicians, our neighbors who like to say "Well the lake is full now I can water my lawn every day.". Or I want to do both. Both being water the lawn and flush my toilet in the middle of the next drought or in the middle of our last one. Finally the attack on science as being to hard to understand and the search for simple bumper sticker solutions is purpose full and done to keep business as usual going. This attitude is especially prevalent in the U.S. South and center as shown by our latest Presidential Elections. "Storms" is useful when you can get into a real discussion with the deniers in that a lot of the science is explained and you can use those explanations when you can find some one to listen to truth and not yell expletives at you. like I said,you just have to get past the flagellating of the first four to six pages per chapter and the sometimes self abuse in the chapter middle.
Now that you know how bad the delusion in national capitals is the next question comes naturally. What is your personal escape plan? We can't escape the planet but we can move our families before the disaster is so bad that conflict has arisen. Or, move them to where clean water, air, and soil is. It's like being a Jew in Germany in the 30's: in 1934 if you leave now you can get a visa but, if you wait until 1938 no one is handing visas out. If you leave before the American SW becomes a desert from Sacramento to Oklahoma City, across to Nashville and to the coast in Charleston S.C. you can emigrate easily. If you wait until the Sand dune is in your living room you have no place to go. So what's you escape plan?
Good because he also explains what he was up against. Coal and oil lobbyists, politicians who had already made their minds up ,but were putting on a show for the public, Leaders who just don't see past four to six years and the next election. Even when they are friendly to climate changes reality. Business as usual wins every time. and Hansen got frustrated. His favorite line is "my grand daughter will say that Ompa new but couldn't convince any one." And he's right.
Those of us who fight the climate battle are Cassandra's. always telling the truth but destined to NOT be believed. Why? Because human greed trumps all else and those who have the money fail to realize that when the world gets to hot all your money will be useless. When the world gets to hot civilization will break down. The question is does civilization break down gently and in stair steps, as in Greers "Long Descent" or violently. SO Hansen has left us two questions. What do we do now to ease the descent and what is you escape plan?
The first answer and, why he wrote the book, is "Yes we have to keep up the fight." We must continue to cry like Cassandra, even though people think we are nuts or crazy, or environmental activists. Because as we slow the use of carbon we buy time for our kids to work out the escape plan. The second question comes from the fact that we are fighting a many headed giant called big carbon, oil, gas, coal industries, their politicians, our neighbors who like to say "Well the lake is full now I can water my lawn every day.". Or I want to do both. Both being water the lawn and flush my toilet in the middle of the next drought or in the middle of our last one. Finally the attack on science as being to hard to understand and the search for simple bumper sticker solutions is purpose full and done to keep business as usual going. This attitude is especially prevalent in the U.S. South and center as shown by our latest Presidential Elections. "Storms" is useful when you can get into a real discussion with the deniers in that a lot of the science is explained and you can use those explanations when you can find some one to listen to truth and not yell expletives at you. like I said,you just have to get past the flagellating of the first four to six pages per chapter and the sometimes self abuse in the chapter middle.
Now that you know how bad the delusion in national capitals is the next question comes naturally. What is your personal escape plan? We can't escape the planet but we can move our families before the disaster is so bad that conflict has arisen. Or, move them to where clean water, air, and soil is. It's like being a Jew in Germany in the 30's: in 1934 if you leave now you can get a visa but, if you wait until 1938 no one is handing visas out. If you leave before the American SW becomes a desert from Sacramento to Oklahoma City, across to Nashville and to the coast in Charleston S.C. you can emigrate easily. If you wait until the Sand dune is in your living room you have no place to go. So what's you escape plan?
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