Climate Hope: On the Front Lines of the Fight Against Coal [Paperback]

Ted Nace (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 7, 2009

In the spring of 2007, after Energy Department analyst Erik Shuster circulated a document revealing that 151 new coal-fired power plants were slated for construction, climate scientists sounded the alarm. Coal is the most carbon-intensive and plentiful of the fossil fuels. If the wave of massive new facilities was built, there would be little chance of preventing greenhouse gases from reaching truly dangerous levels. In response to the crisis, hundreds of local and regional groups, along with a handful of national groups, rose to the challenge of blocking the wave of proposals. Climate Hope: On the Front Lines of the Fight Against Coal reveals for the first time the organizing methods and political tactics that enabled underdog activists in state after state to take on and defeat Big Coal, one of the most politically dominant industries in America. By late 2009, following two years of intense mobilization, opponents had derailed at least 109 proposed plants, bringing the coal boom to a sputtering halt.

The fight to stop coal is a bright spot in the worldwide effort to fight global warming. According to Dr. James Hansen, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, phasing out coal emissions is "80% of the solution to the global warming crisis." The grassroots organizing methods developed by the movement to stop new coal-fired power plants provide a positive example of ordinary people mobilizing, fighting, and winning. Learn more at ClimateHopeBook.com

Contents:
Chapter 1: The 80% Solution
Chapter 2: 151 Time Bombs
Chapter 3: Inside the Swarm
Chapter 4: But We'll Freeze in the Dark!
Chapter 5: What About China?
Chapter 6: Hurricane Politics
Chapter 7: Kansas
Chapter 8: Direct Action
Chapter 9: The Education of Warren Buffett
Chapter 10: Progress Report: 59 Coal Plants Down
Chapter 11: Unicorns, Leprechauns, Clean Coal
Chapter 12: War Against the Mountains
Chapter 13: The Grandmother Rebellion
Chapter 14: Cowboys Against Coal
Chapter 15: Sierra
Chapter 16: Taking It to the Streets
Appendix A: Protests Against Coal
Appendix B: Coal Plants Cancelled, Abandoned, or Put on Hold

Editorial Reviews

Review

Climate Hope is a testimony to the fighting spirit of citizens across America who are working to oppose new coal-fired power plants and mountaintop removal mines. With coal so pivotal to climate change, I hope the book will bring more attention to this growing grassroots movement, which is playing a vital role in defending our home planet and our grandchildren's future. --Dr. James Hansen

In a few years, the backlash against coal power in America has become the country s biggest-ever environmental campaign, transforming the nation s awareness of climate change and inspiring political leaders to take firmer action after years of doubt and delay. Plants have been defeated in at least 30 of the 50 states, uniting those with already strong environmental records, such as California, with more conservative areas, such as the southern and central states. --Juliette Jowit, Manchester Guardian

One of the amazing brains and strategists behind the anti-coal movement, CoalSwarm director Ted Nace has written a powerful chronicle of the grassroots movements to stop the construction of coal-fired plants, and halt mountaintop removal operations in Appalachia. CoalSwarm is one of the great engines of information; Nace's book is a stunning tribute to the citizen movements afoot that will ultimately push our country to a coal free future. --Jeff Biggers, Huffington Post

About the Author

Ted Nace is the director of CoalSwarm.org, a collaborative information clearinghouse on coal. He founded Peachpit, the world's leading publisher of books on digital graphics and desktop publishing. His previous books include Gangs of America: The Rise of Corporate Power and the Disabling of Democracy (Berrett-Koehler, 2003, 2005).

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: CoalSwarm (December 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615314384
• ISBN-13: 978-0615314389
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,259,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ted Nace grew up in California and North Dakota. He earned a bachelor's degree at Stanford University and a master's degree at UC Berkeley. He worked as a consultant to the Environmental Defense Fund and as staff director of the Dakota Resource Council. Returning to the Bay Area, he worked as an editor at PC World magazine and as a columnist for Publish! and Computer Currents magazines. Together with Michael Gardner, he founded the computer book publishing company Peachpit Press in 1985 and served as publisher until 1996, when he and the other owners sold Peachpit to Pearson Plc. In 2007 he founded CoalSwarm, a collaborative information clearinghouse on U.S. and international coal mines, plants, companies, politics, impacts, and alternatives. In addition to several computer how-to books, Nace is the author of Gangs of America: The Rise of Corporate Power and the Disabling of Democracy (Berrett-Koehler, 2003, 2005) and Climate Hope: On the Front Lines of the Fight Against Coal (CoalSwarm, 2010). He can be reached at [e-mail].

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible, informative, and encouraging message for the New Year December 17, 2009

By Laurie Maxwell-Chamberlain

Format:Paperback

For people who care about our children's future, and the future of our planet for that matter, Ted Nace has written a very personal and informative narrative explaining why ending coal emissions is "the 80% solution" to solving our climate crisis. Beyond that, it gives hope by sharing positive examples of people who have mobilized to stop new coal plants, and encourages the rest of us to be part of the swarm for ongoing education about this crucial topic. A wonderful gift for the New Year!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Book - Documents the citizen-led campaign against coal January 12, 2010

By D. S. Cooper

Format:Paperback

I read Climate Hope in two sittings - its an important book which documents the fast-growing citizens movement against coal and fossil fuels. Since the mainstream media doesnt seem to get it, Ted Nace's book (and his CoalSwarm wiki) is an excellent source that proves that citizens are engaged and taking action, even though our government seems to be dithering. Well-written and timely, highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for anyone needing a boost of hope December 30, 2009

By Tom Weis

Format:Paperback

In this deeply compelling and hopeful report from the front lines of the climate fight, Ted Nace demonstrates how individuals, and small groups of conscientious Americans, are winning, and altering the course of human history. With over 100 coal plants now blocked, the growing grassroots climate movement has the coal industry on its heels. This book is a must-read for anyone needing a boost of hope in these challenging times. Beyond being deeply inspiring, "Climate Hope" is well-researched, well-written and enjoyable to read.