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Die unbewohnbare Erde: Leben nach der Erderwärmung by Elisabeth Schmalen, David Wallace-Wells
anscha3000's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
4.0
casebounder's review against another edition
4.0
My humble thanks to @crownpublishing for sending a free copy of this nonfiction, THE UNINHABITABLE EARTH: LIFE AFTER WARMING by David Wallace-Wells.
“We have just twelve years to cut [carbon emissions, planet-wide] in half. If we had started global decarbonization in 2000, when Al Gore narrowly lost election to the American presidency, we would have had to cut emissions by only about 3 percent per year to stay safely under two degrees of warming. If we start today, when global emissions are still growing, the necessary rate is ten percent. If we delay another decade, it will require us to cut emissions by 30 percent each year.”
I originally went vegetarian primarily to cut my carbon footprint. I’m still cutting back on my dairy consumption more and more. But most importantly, I try to stay informed and I vote for large-scale change. We’ve all got to do what we can, y’all. It’s critical. Be vocal — be annoying! Who gives a shit? Things that matter should matter.
So, the book. It’s a lot of facts and it’s pretty heavy/depressing honestly. I took it in in chunks. Wallace-Wells covers a whole host of topics, illustrating a far-and-wide clarion call of what is already in progress and what we need to work to prevent.
The biggest take-away for me from this book is that we need carbon capture technology up and running RIGHT NOW. With the increased rate of ice melt, huge deforestation, human beings’ exponentially increased insistence on the over-production of beef... we need HUGE resources combating these forces while we work to change the cultural perception and enact a Green New Deal.
As only *part* of a wave of authoritarian wannabes winning political power across the globe, we are currently dealing with a year of increased burnings in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil — the “lungs of the Earth.” The G7 recently met about this and have pledged help, but the political situation is less than ideal, and the US in particular has basically abdicated its leadership role in the matter.
Climate change is already impacting our economies and increasing human conflict. Environmental feedback loops are increasing the rate of human heat death, unbreathable air, hunger, (incredibly, terrifyingly) dying oceans, wildfires, sea level rise, freshwater drain... As I said, this book is heavy. It’s also reality. And it raises the stakes on everything, from our daily choices and our international politics.
Be conscious, be vocal, be annoying. I’m in it with you.
“We have just twelve years to cut [carbon emissions, planet-wide] in half. If we had started global decarbonization in 2000, when Al Gore narrowly lost election to the American presidency, we would have had to cut emissions by only about 3 percent per year to stay safely under two degrees of warming. If we start today, when global emissions are still growing, the necessary rate is ten percent. If we delay another decade, it will require us to cut emissions by 30 percent each year.”
I originally went vegetarian primarily to cut my carbon footprint. I’m still cutting back on my dairy consumption more and more. But most importantly, I try to stay informed and I vote for large-scale change. We’ve all got to do what we can, y’all. It’s critical. Be vocal — be annoying! Who gives a shit? Things that matter should matter.
So, the book. It’s a lot of facts and it’s pretty heavy/depressing honestly. I took it in in chunks. Wallace-Wells covers a whole host of topics, illustrating a far-and-wide clarion call of what is already in progress and what we need to work to prevent.
The biggest take-away for me from this book is that we need carbon capture technology up and running RIGHT NOW. With the increased rate of ice melt, huge deforestation, human beings’ exponentially increased insistence on the over-production of beef... we need HUGE resources combating these forces while we work to change the cultural perception and enact a Green New Deal.
As only *part* of a wave of authoritarian wannabes winning political power across the globe, we are currently dealing with a year of increased burnings in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil — the “lungs of the Earth.” The G7 recently met about this and have pledged help, but the political situation is less than ideal, and the US in particular has basically abdicated its leadership role in the matter.
Climate change is already impacting our economies and increasing human conflict. Environmental feedback loops are increasing the rate of human heat death, unbreathable air, hunger, (incredibly, terrifyingly) dying oceans, wildfires, sea level rise, freshwater drain... As I said, this book is heavy. It’s also reality. And it raises the stakes on everything, from our daily choices and our international politics.
Be conscious, be vocal, be annoying. I’m in it with you.
tschulonthehill's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
gracietemplet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
4.5
jthunderrr's review against another edition
5.0
Must read for anyone who votes. A solid Climate Change 101 survey of what we’re in for as we continue to exceed every tipping point identified. Wallace-Wells pulls all the research you’ve probably been peripherally aware of together into one spot so you can marvel at the enormous upheaval of life as we know it that we’re barreling towards.
Wallace-Wells is quick to point out that the variable factor in scientists’ doomsday predictions is us, and what we can do now. However, he also notes the mammoth effort it would take to meaningfully slow down our march towards chaos. Wallace-Wells concludes our apathy and resignation is dangerous, and that performative consumer choice changes are not what will bring about the change we need - it’s dramatic policy and economic change. He doesn’t go as far as Naomi Klein to tie climate change to capitalism, but does engage with economic theory regarding the dangers of the neo-liberal fantasy of an ever-growing economy fed by solely by the extraction and use of fossil fuel.
Worth a read, and plenty of well-sourced articles and books referenced to dive into for deeper learning.
Wallace-Wells is quick to point out that the variable factor in scientists’ doomsday predictions is us, and what we can do now. However, he also notes the mammoth effort it would take to meaningfully slow down our march towards chaos. Wallace-Wells concludes our apathy and resignation is dangerous, and that performative consumer choice changes are not what will bring about the change we need - it’s dramatic policy and economic change. He doesn’t go as far as Naomi Klein to tie climate change to capitalism, but does engage with economic theory regarding the dangers of the neo-liberal fantasy of an ever-growing economy fed by solely by the extraction and use of fossil fuel.
Worth a read, and plenty of well-sourced articles and books referenced to dive into for deeper learning.
tobinsouth's review against another edition
3.0
A great scientific dissection of what will going wrong in our current climate trajectory, and an examination of the politics and economics of the problem.
Worth a read for anyone on this planet!
Worth a read for anyone on this planet!
blazekcurrie's review against another edition
4.0
If you want to get serious about better understanding the breadth of the impact of climate change, this book curates the main points and is an easy read.
rosanita_'s review against another edition
3.0
Una lectura muy necesaria en este momento. No solo relata la situación actual sino que además echa un vistazo al posible futuro que nos espera. El capítulo 14 se sintió como una colleja más que necesaria.
alorena92's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this was depressing. And I'm not just referring to the book's content. Not to say that I expected to be delighted by a book on global warming, but its execution was, almost from start to finish, excruciating to read because of its overwhelming verbosity.
The second section of the book, The Climate Kaleidoscope, is by far the most digestible (especially after a painful first section) and it's what kept me reading. It's packed with very interesting information about how global warming impacts and will continue to impact our planet, society, and culture.
Here's hoping the next books I plan on reading about the subject are easier to follow.
The second section of the book, The Climate Kaleidoscope, is by far the most digestible (especially after a painful first section) and it's what kept me reading. It's packed with very interesting information about how global warming impacts and will continue to impact our planet, society, and culture.
Here's hoping the next books I plan on reading about the subject are easier to follow.