Requiem for a Species: Why We Resist the Truth About Climate Change Review

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Requiem for a Species: Why We Resist the Truth About Climate Change ReviewI read this book shortly after the very similar Down to the Wire (by David Orr) and found it slightly less enjoyable and less well written. This may be partly because the latter was so impressive. These books belong to an altogether new genre, the post-global-warming book. Years ago there were none, now it looks like they're proliferating. Clearly the warnings from science have been getting more and more panicked in conjunction with popular opinion becoming more and more blase.
The author takes it as given that the scientific consensus is correct, and follows through on the conclusions we are led to. Current estimates are in the range of 4 degree warming likely by 2100, which is of course quite devastating. (Particularly after the Copenhagen failure I think 4 is becoming the 'safe' bet.) In the beginning he outlines why he believes this will happen, why there will be little emissions cuts until many years from now. Obviously there haven't been a whole lot of carbon cuts so far. Most of the middle of the book is then given over to discussion about human nature, how our greed and our divorce from nature led us on this path. Thus he includes the obsession with economic growth and explains how this has led us to a new kind of religion or raison d'etre. It is likely we will be too caught up in this materialism to change our ways, and I think personally he's right. There are many books that have dealt with the topic of our materialistic hedonistic society addicted to endless growth in greater detail, and in fact there is a surplus in my opinion although I agree totally with what they are saying.
In the later chapters he goes on to discuss the consequences of a 4 degree rise, but very briefly, unlike the 6 degrees book which discusses it at length. A very reflective final chapter discusses the longer viewpoint about our suicidal nature, how we are to deal with it, with denial, anger, acceptance, or whatever. (In my opinion war will be a big way we will deal with it.)
So my problem with this book is mostly that it doesn't quite flow together as well as I'd expected, nor does it really dwell on the really deep philosophical ideas of what he is saying, how our species has a self-destructive nature, what it will mean thousands of years from now if only a few thousand people are left, etc. The title of the book had led me to believe that it was a bit more reflective than it in fact is.
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Human Ecology: Following Nature's Lead Review

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Human Ecology: Following Nature's Lead ReviewJust finished the book, and am relatively impressed by it overall, while it obviously has a few weaknesses. Steiner divides the world hierarchically into chapters, starting at the smallest human scale (habitat) and working gradually up to a global scale. The book reads like an adademic work, and Steiner continually interrupts the flow of ideas with quotes and references to the work of others. It seems like his main goal was to include as many names of people as possible in the text (nearly every paragraph mentions someone new). The bibliography is lengthy. That does mean that if any particular concept appeals to the reader, they know exactly where it originated, and where to go to learn more, but makes the book more challenging to read. Intellectually engaging, perhaps.
Overall, a good summary of an emerging field, along with plenty of review, critique, and synthesis of ideas. I'd recommend the book to "sustainability" types, the conservation-minded, ecologists, and (especially) city and regional planners.
His main point: We, as humans, need to consider the environment and our relation to it. Especially as pertains to our everyday life experience.Human Ecology: Following Nature's Lead Overview

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Lights Out: The Electricity Crisis, the Global Economy, and What It Means To You Review

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Lights Out: The Electricity Crisis, the Global Economy, and What It Means To You ReviewIf you wonder how our country may be vulnerable in respect to the next national disaster, either via home-grown or foreign terrorist strike or climactic catastrophe or even simple human error....

If you are frustrated with recent power outages affecting your business or neighborhood and don't know why they are (and will keep) occurring...

If you wonder how we can get from "here" to "there" regarding our current reliance on overseas oil and fossil fuel-generated power to a more reliable, efficient and sustainable form of energy supply and transmission...

If you are someone in the industry who is frustrated with the merger and acquisition aspect of making the business end work and need both optimism and practical ideas for growth in this field.....

If you are, like me, a consumer who just wants to know what is behind the wall...

The answers, the ideas, and the possibilities are in this book.

I read "Lights Out" in two days. Informational without being grossly technical, provocative without demonizing any particular person or group, and at times bitingly funny, Jason Makansi writes in an accessible way about a complex subject, drawn from his deep background in the field and an honest, almost Trumanesque prose style. With no real understanding of how my lights go on, or any more than a consumer's investment in this industry--I was engaged from start to finish. This book sounds the alarm, describes the problems, and ignites a passion for taking the next step before we are facing a greater crisis.

For example, in the chapter titled, "Savvy Consumption, Empowering Ratepayers" he writes, "What if you also quantified the value of energy independence.....Imagine going to a filling station and seeing not only the price per gallon, but the hidden cost per gallon to protect our petroleum supply lines, fight wars in countries with oil and natural gas reserves, and lead global military defense!"

Did I mention he writes provocatively?

Regarding some of the dilemmas facing those in the industry he writes, "Both strategies for growth---'if we build it, Wall Street will come' and 'If we merge, business will surge'--are giving utilities fits. The problem is that delays, the money wasted on lawyers and consultants, and the general malaise that overtakes an organization under siege, drain time and money from real needs, like modernizing the infrastructure."

Did I mention he doesn't waste time demonizing but cuts straight to the problem?

And finally, from the chapter, "A Vision For The Future" he writes, "Imagine going to your local electricity store, just like you go to a car dealership, and picking out the model you want custom-built into your new home. What this industry needs more than anything else are entrepreneurial companies that provide home-and business-based electricity systems with the same quality and attention to detail of a home entertainment system: Maybe I want one that makes me feel better because it offers the lowest carbon dioxide emissions. Maybe I just want to be the 'baddest' dude in the neighborhood and pick out something that rumbles when I crank it up."

Did I mention he is funny?

There is so much more in this book, about the supply, the demand, the global structure of our fossil fuel reliance and the impending energy needs of other countries, to what is, in his view, the greatest concern: transmission. Along with a reasonable advocacy for taking a second look at nuclear power generating plants, (something I was previously opposed to), he also includes exciting ideas for new technologies and research, such as recycling the waste heat generated from all sources not just power plants, to a home meter that clearly and understandably shows the consumer how much energy is being used and when, to the idea of a national commission to unite and oversee power transmission from state to state. As Mr. Makansi puts it, "Why not?"

Can we reliably keep the lights on at our current levels of energy consumption? Are our grids vulnerable to sabotage and attack? Are there intermediate solutions that can be made within the industry and by our government that are practical, safe, climate sensitive and affordable now? Can I personally change the way I consume and view my own energy use? And what steps can be taken to affect the change that is needed?
Lights Out connects all interests on the way toward a more logical, more sustainable, more humane and renewable use of energy in today's world. The only question remaining: When will we take the next step?
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