What's the Worst That Could Happen?: A Rational Response to the Climate Change Debate [Paperback]

Greg Craven (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2009

7.2 million YouTube viewers can't be wrong: A provocative new way to look at the global warming debate.

Based on a series of viral videos that have garnered more than 7.2 million views, this visually appealing book gives readers-be they global warming activists, soccer moms, or NASCAR dads-a way to decide on the best course of action, by asking them to consider, "What's the worst that could happen?" And for those who decide that action is needed, Craven provides a solution that is not only powerful but also happens to be stunningly easy. Not just another "change your light bulb" book, this intriguing and provocative guide is the first to help readers make sense-for themselves-of the contradictory statements about global climate change.

The globe is warming! or The globe is not warming.

We're the ones doing it! or It's a natural cycle.

It's gonna be a catastrophe! or It'll be harmless.

This is the biggest threat to humankind! or This is the biggest hoax in history.

Watch a Video

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 2007, high school science teacher Craven posted a ten-minute video, The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See, , predicting dire consequences without strong measures to stop global warming. That video attracted millions of viewers; his focus now is not "what" to think about global warming, but "how." Using clear language and charts, Craven sketches not just the cost/benefit analysis of over-reacting and failing to act, but the fundamentals of sound science. Training readers to evaluate competing arguments, he points to a number of expert sources for reliable information (American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Sciences, National Security Agency, leading climate scientists like James Hansen). Take a measured look at the skeptics (from the Cato Institute, the Heritage Foundation, etc.), he finds that the risk of global climate destabilization outweighs the supposedly prohibitive costs ("devastating economic consequences") of implementing environmental protection measures. Craven's popular style might be better suited to the classroom-cutesy graphics, groan-worthy section heads like "Dude, Where's My Science?"-but science and ecology novices will find his approach welcome and enlightening.
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Review

"Greg Craven has written a brilliant and unique work on global warming. His innovative and intelligent approach to this controversial issue is superbly crafted. It is an important book that is a must read for those who care about our planet and future generations."
-General Anthony C. Zinni USMC (Retired)

"This book trumps most of our accounts of the global warming crisis, partly for its good humor and straightforward logic, and partly because the author has actually figured out what actions make sense. Changing your lightbulb will help a little, but changing the political debate will help enormously-and this book will get you started down that path."
-Bill McKibben, author The End of Nature

"The worst thing that could happen is that you don''t read this book! Greg Craven has written a valuable primer on the global warming debate."
-Gregg Easterbrook, author, Sonic Boom

"This is a tremendous book and well worth anyone''s time to read. It very clearly and concisely covers all the important points not only about the climate change situation in our moment, but how we think and decide about important issues. Anyone who enjoyed Craven''s YouTube triumph "The Most Terrifying Video You''ll Ever See" will enjoy unpacking that experience in this book, and for people running into Craven for the first time, you''re in for a treat-he is funny as well as well as exceptionally clear, and wise."
-Kim Stanley Robinson, the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of The Mars trilogy and Science in the Capital

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; Original edition (July 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399535012
• ISBN-13: 978-0399535017
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Greg Craven grew up on a farm in Oregon, experimented with different jobs for a decade, and finally found his calling as a high school physics and chemistry teacher. His main qualification for proposing a layman's approach to climate change is having borrowed the 30 brains in his classroom every period to mull questions of science and critical thinking for the last ten years. He's found there's no better way to refine a thought than to toss it out in front of a roomful of critical teenagers. He is a bit surprised to find he's written a book as a result. Craven lives in Corvallis, Oregon with his wife and two young daughters.