Customer Reviews

Earth Rising: American Environmentalism In The 21St Century

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This very perceptive book establishes Philip Shabecoff as one of the top journalists of our time. In it he tries to outline a course for the environmental movement to take in the coming decades. What makes "Earth Rising" so important is Shabecoff's understanding that modern societies like the US are faced with three enormous and intertwined problems. Besides the environmental degradation that rightly concerns environmental activists, there is the increase in both social and economic inequality, as well as the dysfunctionality of our money-dominated political system. Shabecof argues that, since none of these problems can be solved in isolation, it is essential that the environmental movement become involved in dealing with all three--by, for example, working for reform of the political process--rather than focusing solely on their own set of specific issues.

If Shabecoff had done no more than make this point, his book would merit 5 stars for the skillful way he presents his case. But there is much more food for thought in the book. For example, recognizing that scientific analyses of environmental problems are crucial to understanding and solving them, Shabecoff calls on scientists to follow the lead of those who, like Edward O. Wilson and Richard Leakey, have become strong advocates of the environment and its importance.

Anyone who is concerned about environmental issues, or who considers themself an environmentalist, would learn a great deal from reading this book.

Philip Shabecoff is a reporter for the New York Times. You'd like him to be a hard-hitting investigative reporter, right? Well, on the evidence of this book he is actually a collator of press releases from environmentalists. In this book, he interviews a lot of environmentalists and believes everything they say. He quotes at length from interviews that are largely fund-raising appeals, talking about how you need to help the group NOW (i.e., send money) because Corporation X is DESTROYING THE ENVIRONMENT EVEN AS WE SPEAK. Shabecoff takes all this down, uncritically, and passes it on to us.

Our hero also does not seem to think that it would be a good idea to get the other side of the story. Here's an easy example. Shabecoff's friends tell him that evil corporations are cutting down the nation's forests. This is true. He could have asked a forestry company, or the US Forest Service, for a response. They would have told him that the total acreage of US forests is increasing and has been for several decades. This is also true, though Shabecoff doesn't seem to know it. Then he could have returned to his friends and asked for their response. They could have told him that the increase in forest cover consists of tree farms, mostly softwoods on a 30- or 50-year rotation, not healthy and diverse ecosystems. This is also true. Then Shabecoff could have asked the forestry corporation for another response, and they would have told him that tree farms nonetheless serve as carbon sinks, reducing global warming, and provide some other environmental services. This too is true. Just a few phone calls, and we would have had instant complexity.

Alas, you won't find any of that complexity in this book. Think of the trees that died to print it.

A very good historical overview of the Environmental Movement. It's a little dated today, but it provides an excellent historical context....

Interesting debate on Earth and its human activity for transformation this world! I expect to read the book. But how can we managed this world? against interferrence of elements not belong from its own geosystem?