Customer Reviews

Last Chance: Preserving Life on Earth (Speaker's Corner)

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When a friend asked me: "Yes but what can I do? It's *global* warming, after all," I recommended she read "Last Chance, Preserving Life on Earth." Yes, the title is daunting, but I just finished it, and this book is so readable. The author, Larry J. Schweiger, weaves his life journey through the three major parts of his book, and makes the case based on his own ethics. "Global warming will harm children on the right as well as those on the left," he writes. And then he tells readers what to do about it. "Last Chance" is an excellent contemporary read on the impact of politics on science, all in a human-sized proportion. It's about what's going on at levels greater than the reader, but, even more important, the author gives readers a role to play. We know there are problems, but don't quite know how to respond. This book is a great guide to our personal response to climate change. It includes sections called, "What You Can Do," loaded with practical, do-able actions that anyone - a child, parent or grand-parent -- can take.

Global warming is an issue that is upon us. It is overwhelming, complex, and demands swift and serious responses from every government, business and citizen of the world. Larry Schweiger's book is accessible, informative and personal. If you are interested in learning more about the issue and what you and your family or business can do to help stem the advance of global warming, buy this book and read it. If you want to multiply your impact, but an extra copy and give it to a friend or family member. I've read many books on global warming, and this is one of the most readable and helpful books out there on the topic.

"It is with our heads that we must think and ponder, while it is with our hearts that we muster courage to act boldly when loved ones are at risk."
Larry Schweiger - LAST CHANCE

Larry Schweiger is a much respected environmental leader. He is known for taking on epic battles. Global climate change is certainly the largest battle of our times. In LAST CHANCE the battle lines are clear - they extend from every human to the systems that sustain life on earth. While the complexity of climatic variables like feedback effects are imperfectly known, climate scientists are overwhelmingly and alarmingly of one mind - humanity is in trouble. Many of my colleagues in the science community believe it is the scientist's job to report the facts and nothing but the facts. But what is the scientist to do when the preponderance of evidence clearly suggests that the planet is in trouble? Schweiger's book provides the answer. It is time for everyone to act - the scientist, the politician, the consumer, the activist, the parent and every person interested in a sustainable future. It may well be our last chance.
I finished reading Larry's book last night. It is the optimum mix of precise science, engaging storytelling, political history, and above all the orbital view required to see the critical interconnections of planetary systems. Lest anyone still believe that global climate change will result in simple sea level rise and more storms in the coastal regions, Larry documents the fundamental disruptions that will rip the ecosystem anchors from their complex moorings. These disruptions will leave no major ecosystem intact.
For years, I have been mystified why the science is so clear and yet 53% of Wyoming citizens [my home state] still don't see the connections between their extravagant energy use and the melting glaciers of the Wind River Range. This book explains the mystery.
What a writer! What a book! Last Chance is not just another pessimistic environmental diatribe but an action guide that conveys optimism and direction. Absent from most of the debate on global climate change is hope for our children. LAST CHANCE heralds the hope for our children and a sustainable biosphere. The denizens of denial will realize the truth and power in this book. It is our responsibility to first spread this message as far and as wide as we can.

This is a very readable explanation of global warming and its impact on all living creatures. Written by Larry Schweiger, who is both a devout Christian and a hunter, Last Chance provides a fresh, new perspective on the subject. Using Biblical quotes, true stories and hard science, Schweiger explains why global warming is the moral imperative of our time. Every bit of science mentioned in the book includes references to scientific studies. Schweiger invites readers to review these other sources of information to verify every fact and conclusion in the book for themselves.

Anyone wishing to really understand global warming should start with this enjoyable, easy to read and well researched book. It is neither right nor left leaning, but scientific and beautifully heartfelt. If you read it - and especially if you take a little time to read some of the studies he mentions - you will have a solid understanding of the issue, without the politicized garbage politicians and talk show hosts spew on the topic.

Schweiger quotes Proverbs "A good man [person] leaves an inheritance for our children's children". Last Chance is a must read for anyone who cares about the world we will leave to them.

Schweiger's book is a must for anyone trying to understand the conflicting views about climate change. Using clear, easy-to-understand language, he covers the bases underlying this controversial issue, and the political forces that are holding back progress on resolving it. Of particular value is the chapter devoted to cultural changes that have resulted in a generation of people who do not understand or appreciate the value of the outdoors, making it all the harder to engage them in an issue that doesn't appear to be impacting their everyday lives - yet.

Those of us, who care about the health of the planet and the quality of life for our children and grandchildren, owe Larry Schweiger a deep debt of gratitude. Last Chance is a comprehensive, clear, concise, 200 page jewel of a book. Readers who are well educated on the looming dangers of climate change, as well as those who need to expand their knowledge, will appreciate this work of incredible scope presented in an eminently readable style. In addition, it offers readers practical recommendations on how to get involved and clearly presents the extensive, science based reasons supporting the urgency for action now.

Last Chance is an easy yet critical read. We live in an interconnected world, and the many feedback loops illustrated in the book show us the existing evidence of an already changing world and fears about what is to come. Without a doubt, it is time to seize the moment as the planet is teetering so precariously out of balance. I hope everyone will heed Mr. Schweiger's call to action in whatever way they can. Future generations are counting on us.

This is an excellent book, and it does what I haven't noticed done before: the author methodically takes on each issue in the climate change arena, then very simply and understandably offers evidence to support arguments for and against the pro and con background noise confusing the climate debate.

Sure, the author who is president of a major conservation organization gives a call to action in reducing greenhouse gasses, but he does so with ample justification that anyone can understand. This is a readable book. Readers without advanced degrees in technology will find the discussion of science understandable and examples meaningful.

The author also takes on some of the challenges driving society's understanding (or lack of understanding) of more general policy and science matters, such as the devolving "news" media, the emergence of spincasters and the once very significant, but now dwindling force represented by investigative news journalists - they once were a small army in search of truth, but now what? Do we turn to the Blogosphere and Twitterers for investigative insight on, as the author states, one of the greatest threats ever faced by society? These are challenges making the climate debate even more confusing.

In all, an excellent book that's written in a fashion to help people understand what's going on in the Earth's atmosphere that is driving the political and scientific communities to find solutions. As important, the author also helps inform the reader how to personally do something about it.

How much longer can we watch the signs of global warming pile up before we act? That's the question Larry Schweiger addresses in his vital new book. Schweiger does an excellent job of presenting an evidence-based case without getting bogged down in scientific detail. His urgency jumps off the page as he asks readers to "add your voice to this effort in any and every way possible." Will Americans listen?

Larry J. Schweiger, president of the National Wildlife Federation, makes a compelling case for urgent action in "Last Chance: Preserving Life on Earth (Speaker's Corner)."

It's not, he argues, that the Earth will destroyed but rather our lifestyles are in danger, with no one to blame but ourselves.

He examines what has happened to various ecological systems around the world, including the Great Lakes and Greenland, and concludes that we hae the power to at least mitigate the worst damage, even if we can't fully stop climate change. Using Lake Erie as one small example, he notes that industrial activities, which fed our economy for many years, also left behind severely damaged ecosystems, harming fish, poisoning the water and air and making the waters often unusable for healthy purposes. A mix of science and advocacy based on fact, combined with a lack of hyperbole makes this book all the more powerful. The writing is clear, as is his message: act now or leave behind a planet, and its people, in far worse condition than we found it.

Larry Schweiger brings warm storytelling, a keen scientific mind, and a wealth of practical experience on the front lines of the fight for action on global warming to this wonderful book. More than any other author on the topic, his style is absorbing and easy to grapple with. In the end, it is a hopeful call to arms and primer for anyone who is interested in the world we leave our children.