Hot Read
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A green O.C.
If "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" – plus three other books profiled here – doesn't open your eyes to the environmental problems that threaten our world, nothing will.
By Craig ReemPublished: November 01, 2008
In Thomas L. Friedman’s new, frightening bestseller – part doomsday in terms of the world’s energy needs and earth-scarring ways, and part optimism for a country that could take on a “green revolution” – hard decisions need to be made for the greater good. Friedman contends that we are at the last hour to change our natural resources overuse, “petro-dictatorship” (many oil suppliers are bad people or fund worldwide terror), climate change, energy poverty (we always expect the lights to come on) and biodiversity loss. Permanent climate change is at our door, and we’re ignoring it.
Friedman applauds the efforts of the few, including Southern California Edison, the utility that powers Orange County and is the nation’s leader in renewable energy. However, he discusses Edison’s much-needed California wind farm and how it will take 11 years to obtain the final permit.
Friedman believes that America needs to be the leader to reduce the amount of the exhaust we pour into our air, save the forests we cut down, cut back on our consumption and address the emerging energy needs of others – most particularly China. This emerging power, he argues, would applaud an America that solves the most pressing peacetime initiative ever.
Three more books on the environment
"An Inconvenient Truth"
By Al Gore ( Rodale, $23.95)
Gore’s 2006 documentary was a wakeup call for a world teetering on the environmental edge. Based on the documentary, this volume contains photos that simply don’t lie. We’re losing glaciers by the foot every minute; we’re facing drought and flooding; and it’s getting hotter.
"Climate Solutions: What Works, What Doesn't and Why"
By Peter Barnes (Chelsea Green Publishing, $9.95)
This so-called citizen’s guide is a great resource to understand the environmental problems – and solutions – at hand. You’ll learn about carbon emissions and alternative technologies that work.
“PLAN B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization"
By Lester R. Brown (W.W. Norton & Co., $16.95)
Brown is president of the Earth Policy Institute and writes about how environmental trends have put the planet – and all of us – at risk. He notes: “Mobilizing to save civilization … requires an enduring economic restructuring.”
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Friedman applauds the efforts of the few, including Southern California Edison, the utility that powers Orange County and is the nation’s leader in renewable energy. However, he discusses Edison’s much-needed California wind farm and how it will take 11 years to obtain the final permit. Friedman believes that America needs to be the leader to reduce the amount of the exhaust we pour into our air, save the forests we cut down, cut back on our consumption and address the emerging energy needs of others – most particularly China. This emerging power, he argues, would applaud an America that solves the most pressing peacetime initiative ever. Three more books on the environment "An Inconvenient Truth" By Al Gore ( Rodale, $23.95) Gore’s 2006 documentary was a wakeup call for a world teetering on the environmental edge. Based on the documentary, this volume contains photos that simply don’t lie. We’re losing glaciers by the foot every minute; we’re facing drought and flooding; and it’s getting hotter. "Climate Solutions: What Works, What Doesn't and Why" By Peter Barnes (Chelsea Green Publishing, $9.95) This so-called citizen’s guide is a great resource to understand the environmental problems – and solutions – at hand. You’ll learn about carbon emissions and alternative technologies that work. “PLAN B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization" By Lester R. Brown (W.W. Norton & Co., $16.95) Brown is president of the Earth Policy Institute and writes about how environmental trends have put the planet – and all of us – at risk. He notes: “Mobilizing to save civilization … requires an enduring economic restructuring.” |
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