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Dr. Patrick Moore

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Confessions of a Greenpeace Dropout: The Making of a Sensible Environmentalist Kindle Edition

by Patrick Moore (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.7 739 ratings

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—Revised Edition 2013—

Confessions of a Greenpeace Dropout: The Making of a Sensible Environmentalist is Dr. Patrick Moore’s engaging firsthand account of his many years spent as the ultimate Greenpeace insider, a co-founder and leader in the organization’s top committee.

Moore explains why, 15 years after co-founding it, he left Greenpeace to establish a more sensible, science-based approach to environmentalism.

Confessions details Moore’s vision for a more sustainable world. From energy independence to climate change, genetic engineering to aquaculture, Moore sheds new light on some of the most controversial subjects in the news today.

In Confessions Moore persuasively argues for us to rethink our conventional wisdom about environment and, in so doing, provides the reader with new ways in which to see the world.

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601 pages
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English
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April 17, 2011
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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004X2I6ZM
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beatty Street Publishing Inc. (April 17, 2011)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 17, 2011
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 7139 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 601 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #705,748 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #267 in Environmental Science (Kindle Store)
- #775 in Environmentalist & Naturalist Biographies
- #974 in Environmental Issues

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4.7 739 ratings

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Dr. Patrick Moore

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Patrick Moore, Ph.D.

Dr. Patrick Moore has been a leader in the international environmental field for more than 40 years. He is a co-founder of Greenpeace and served for nine years as President of Greenpeace Canada and seven years as a Director of Greenpeace International. As the leader of many campaigns, Dr. Moore was a driving force shaping policy and direction while Greenpeace became the world’s largest environmental activist organization.

In recent years, Dr. Moore has been focused on the promotion of sustainability and consensus building among competing concerns. He was a member of British Columbia government-appointed Round Table on the Environment and Economy from 1990 – 1994. In 1990, Dr. Moore founded and chaired the BC Carbon Project, a group that worked to develop a common understanding of climate change.

Dr. Moore served for four years as Vice President, Environment for Waterfurnace International, a manufacturer of geothermal heat pumps for residential heating and cooling with renewable earth energy. He is a Director of NextEnergy Solutions, the largest distributor of geothermal systems in Canada.

As Chair of the Sustainable Forestry Committee of the Forest Alliance of BC from 1991 – 2002, he led the process of developing the “Principles of Sustainable Forestry” which were adopted by a majority of the industry.

In 2000, Dr. Moore published Trees are the Answer, a photo-book that provides a new insight into how forests work and how they can play a powerful role in solving many of our current environmental problems.

Dr. Moore serves as Chair and Chief Scientist of Greenspirit Strategies Ltd., a consultancy focusing on environmental policy and communications in forestry, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, mining, biodiversity, chemicals, energy and climate change.

From 2006-2012 he served as co-Chair of the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition, a US-based advocacy mission to build public support for more nuclear energy plants to provide electricity.

In 2013 Dr. Moore, with his brother Michael and other family members, founded the Allow Golden Rice Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to seeing Golden Rice approved for commercial agriculture. 250 million children, mainly in the tropical countries, are deficient in vitamin A and as a result uo to 2 million die each year. The Allow Golden Rice Now! Campaign demands that Greenpeace and their allies discontinue their campaign of opposition to Golden Rice, which could eliminate vitamin A deficiency if cultivated and consumed. In 2019 the Philippines announced it had approved Golden Rice for cultivation.

In 2014 Dr. Moore was appointed Chair of Ecology, Energy, and Prosperity at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.

In 2015 Dr. Moore joined the founding meeting of the CO2 Coalition in Washington DC, chaired by William Happer, and was appointed a founding director of the organization with the aim of educating on the benefits of carbon dioxide for life on Earth. In April 2019, Dr. Moore was elected Chairman of the Board of the CO2 Coalition, and now serves as a director.

In 2021 Dr. Moore published "Fake Invisible Catastrophes and Threats of Doom" exposing the fake news and fake science around 11 claims of disaster including climate change, coral reefs, polar bears, plastic, nuclear energy, and more.

Dr. Moore is an independent ecologist/environmentalist with Ecosense Environmental Inc.

“Speaking Truth to Power Award”, 9th Annual Climate Change Conference, 2014

National Award for Nuclear Science and History, (Einstein Society) Albequerque, New Mexico, 2009

Honorary Doctorate of Science, North Carolina State University, 2005

Ph.D. in Ecology, Institute of Resource Ecology, University of British Columbia, 1974

Ford Foundation Fellowship, 1969-1972

Honours B.Sc. in Biology and Forest Biology, University of British Columbia

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739 global ratings

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Customers find the book informative, credible, and a great read for anyone interested in environmental topics. They also say it presents sensible solutions and is articulate.

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45 customers mention "Content"45 positive0 negative

Customers find the book really informative, with logical, factual arguments and a great explanation of both sides. They also say the author is knowledgeable about the environment and offers very real and substantive solutions. Readers also appreciate the concise summary and insights into how politics and individual agendas have shaped the modern world.

"...It also gives insights into how politics and individual agendas have shaped the modern Greenpeace movement. This reads more as a personal memoir...." Read more

"...Etc. It is a fairly long book, but contains a huge list of footnotes referencing his sources (many accessible by websites)...." Read more

"...not disappointed. Firstly, I appreciated the very interesting retelling of his life story...." Read more

"...In it, he provides logical, factual arguments for the approaches he supports without the stridency that is typical of the usual activists today...." Read more

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Customers find the book a great read, fascinating, informative, and thought-provoking.

"...This reads more as a personal memoir...." Read more

"An excellent and informative book...." Read more

"...Overall a good and interesting read. I'm recommending it to everyone who lives on planet earth...." Read more

"This is a very enjoyable and educational read...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing style"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style wonderful and informative. They also appreciate the honesty of the author.

"...His writing about forestry is very well done, as he was raised in a lumber town in British Columbia and has been involved in forestry most of his..." Read more

"I heard Patrick Moore plugging this book on NPR. He came off as very articulate and credible so I downloaded a copy on my Kindle...." Read more

"Every young person should read this enlightening book.Very well written and with all the links to the research...." Read more

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Kindle Customer

An interesting critique of orthodox environmental

Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023

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The book started with establishing the environmental activist credentials before it became popular. It also gives insights into how politics and individual agendas have shaped the modern Greenpeace movement. This reads more as a personal memoir. I think the author did a good job of remaining at a professional distance when discussing events and actions of others that at the time probably at the time the reactions would have been much stronger and less open to other points of view.

The second part of the book does a deep dive into individual issues and the science against the established environmental stance. While I no longer work in science, this section reaffirmed many of my own observations around topics and raised several points that I will have to critically investigate more thoroughly. I found the section on climate change and the behaviour of the researchers involved in particular needing further critical research before I decide where I sit.

Highly worth a read if you want to get a different perspective in order to make a more informed personal decision on key items on the environmental agenda.

Helpful

Wallace W. Souder

Confessions of a Greenpeace Dropout - through a physical scientist eyes.

Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2012

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I just finished reading "Confessions of a Greenpeace Dropout - The Making of a Sensible Environmentalist" by the founder (one of a handful, but he was the driving force by far) Patrick Moore.
After a short chapter of introductory frustration over the change of course Greenpeace has made, which made him drop out, he gives a great history of how they single-handedly launched successful campaigns against atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons, illegal hunting of whales, clubbing of tens of thousands of seal pups, and quite a few other activities that I think were worthy endeavors in protecting our environment. He also protested building nuclear power plants, but has now done an about face on that. One could skip over this and start with page 37, "The Beginnings," if the introductory part hasn't enough interest.

Much of the book is spent on refuting the reasons Greenpeace has for their campaigns on genetic alteration of crops and animals, use of chemicals in industrial products, global climate change, and so forth. He states (very correctly) that the evolved Greenpeace bases nearly nothing on science or real data (or what I would call "common sense"), but is obsessed with winning converts and battling authorities and industries. His writing about forestry is very well done, as he was raised in a lumber town in British Columbia and has been involved in forestry most of his life. His contention is that lumber is our greatest renewable resource and that the forestry industry is NOT destroying the forests, but expanding them. He makes great arguments in favor of nuclear power (he didn't mention this, but I love the bumper sticker I've often seen "more people have died in the back seat of Ted Kennedy's car than in US nuclear accidents").

I wasn't aware that Greenpeace is trying to have the element chlorine declared a toxic material and that it should be banned in manufacturing or used where it can expose people. Amazing. What do we use to "salt" our food? How can we have sanitary swimming pools? Etc. It is a fairly long book, but contains a huge list of footnotes referencing his sources (many accessible by websites). If nothing else, read chapter 20 "The Climate of Fear" where he puts forth a great argument that the earth pretty much does as it wishes, as far a climate is concerned, and that yes, we may be affecting it to some degree, but the earth has been much warmer in the past, has had much higher CO2 (even in cool times!), and that the current warming trend, which started around 18,000 years ago, with occasional short cooling periods, is much better for us than a prolonged cooling period would be.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the book (as a scientist, I like approaches based on facts and integrity), despite not agreeing with a few comments (US needs government health care, which was only a sentence or two). Perhaps I liked it because I agree with nearly all his assertions about the real intent of Greenpeace and the lack of credible science. I think they have evolved from a very useful organization into an anti-industry group seeking notoriety and exerting muscle disproportionate to their causes.

29 people found this helpful

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Helge Raymond Solhaug

A wonderful book,

Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2019

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By reading this book you will understand that no science is settled and brave scientists.
Will continue to challenge the so called settled results as we always should do.
And that we should demand high standards for our scienctists.
And personal or political beliefs or agenda should not influence the results of study’s or reports.
Thanks for a wonderful book.

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2019

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I guess I've been a "denier" ever since Gore's first movie came out. I didn't believe the assumptions or predictions being presented, and definitely didn't accept the idea of the science being "unequivocal." As the majority of the public, including members of my own family, began to accept the global warming threat as imminent and as portrayed by the general media, I began reading and listening to as much on the topic as I could.
Over the years, I believe my skepticism has been vindicated, as thousands of "dissenting" experts have weighed in, and most, if not all, the doomsday predictions have come and gone. I bought this book in order to hear what Mr. Moore had to say on the topic, since he has such an interesting background in environmental issues, being one of the founders of Greenpeace, etc. I was not disappointed.
Firstly, I appreciated the very interesting retelling of his life story. He not only talks about the global warming issue, but precedes it (actually, it's only topic of the last chapter) with stories of how science and environmental issues in our generation have been skewed by activists and political bias. I think that the chapters on the use of chemicals in agriculture, GMO's, forestry, etc. served well as examples of how we need a more balanced and rational approach, based in science - not on fear and emotions - to making decisions on the many issues we're faced with in our modern world.
I liked the idea that he wasn't "over-the-top" in an anti-global warming rant, but rather took a more rational, level-headed approach, supplying scientific evidence and support for his views. Whether you believe the "alarmists" or the "deniers," this book should give you pause to think about the issue - If you're willing to keep an open mind, that is.

9 people found this helpful

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Paul Aarden

Very good, practical solutions offered

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 25, 2023

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Read it, well worth it, my sincere and honest assessment was rejected, just read this excellent assessment, you'll not regret it

Olivier K

A cure against ecofreaks

Reviewed in France on December 23, 2020

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A very good book, well documented, from someone with both a scientific background and a clear practical commitment in improving things. A must read for those who have doubts about ecolgists really working for the common good.

One person found this helpful

geoffm

Alternate to hysteria

Reviewed in Australia on May 19, 2022

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Excellent reading with a balance between anecdotal, science and logical argument. The author certainly gives the reader reason to pause and evaluate the current climate debates.

Jerry Vanee

A thought provoking book.

Reviewed in Canada on September 24, 2015

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This is a great book and should be read by everyone that has ever donated to an environmental advocacy organization such as Greenpeace.

The first part of the book reads very much as a history of the origins of Greenpeace from the perspective of an insider that lived through those exciting times. Yes, Greenpeace accomplished great things in its early days and for that we can be eternally thankful to them. They virtually stopped the widespread destruction of the whales and halted the testing of nuclear weapons. But, somewhere along the way, they lost their way. They were hijacked by self-seeking individuals who know that environmental activism can be a great way to make lots of money. They do this by spreading a culture of fear and then feeding on that fear for financial gain. I find it interesting that many of the current Greenpeace campaigns are virtually un-winnable. This is brilliant since it creates a never ending battle and as long as the funds come in, a never ending job for the people Greenpeace employs.

The Greenpeace staff certainly get around. On their own website they proudly claim to have '2.9 million members worldwide, and represent them at virtually every international environmental conference.' And how may I ask, do they get to all these international environmental conferences? Do they walk? Or, do they fly in commercial airlines? What do they think powers that airplane? Do the Greenpeace activists know that jet fuel is made from crude oil?

Dr. Moore makes a statement in the book that 'environmentalism has gone off the rails and has become an apocalyptic religion that is self-defeating and demoralizing.' When one considers much of the debate surrounding the subject of environmentalism, it is clear that it has indeed become a new religion for many of the proponents. I am reminded of a quote from the L.Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, 'You don't get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion.' This is what the higher-ups at Greenpeace have done. They have turned the environmental movement into a new religion. As long as they can continue to spread a culture of fear related to global warming, chemicals in our environment and genetically modified foods, they can continue to conduct lucrative fundraising campaigns.

I'd like to relate a personal anecdote at this point. Sometime around 1992, I was in my driveway washing my car when a Greenpeace canvasser walked up to request a contribution to the cause. Since he was on foot, it was gratifying to see that at the moment, his carbon footprint was very low. I do not generally give money to people collecting at the door, but I thought I should be polite and ask him what campaigns they were currently conducting; since they had now saved the whales and the seals and had stopped nuclear proliferation. He got very excited at my interest and quickly told me they had a campaign to eliminate the automobile. I asked for clarification of whether they wanted to eliminate all cars, or just mine, which I happened to be washing at that moment. He told me with great enthusiasm that they intended to eliminate all automobiles. I immediately asked him how I would get to work. His very glib answer was 'public transit'. I told him that I was regularly required to travel for work to places such as Prince George, B.C. and that public transit does not go there. He did not have any response to that comment. I am a strong proponent of public transit and I do take it whenever possible. However, to say someone is going to eliminate the automobile and replace it with public transit, is simply foolish. Making cars more fuel efficient, less polluting or electric are all achievable goals. Eliminating them altogether in our technological society makes no sense. I wished him a pleasant day and told him that I would not be making a contribution. I knew at that moment that Greenpeace had wandered into an area of radical activism that was not worth funding. However, 2.8 million regular contributors to Greenpeace disagree with me and are happy to continue contributing to what are essentially un-winnable campaigns.

Dr. Moore calls himself a sensible environmentalist. Greenpeace calls him a traitor to the environmental cause and someone that has turned his back on the movement for financial gain. It seems to me that Greenpeace has exploited the movement for the past two decades - primarily for financial gain.

I do not agree with everything Dr. Moore says in his book, however for the most part his arguments make rational sense. If you care about the environment and want concrete suggestions on how to help in a sustainable, practical manner I suggest you read the book.

Jerry VanEe

9 people found this helpful

Alf Reading

Biografie eines Umweltaktivisten und einer Umweltorganisation

Reviewed in Germany on October 6, 2013

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Einerseits ist das Buch die faszinierende Autobiographie eines Wissenschaftlers, der sich angetrieben von Bewunderung und Liebe zur Natur und von wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnis gegen Schädigung der Umwelt und für nachhaltige Entwicklung einsetzt.
Andererseits ist es die mehr erschreckende als faszinierende Entwicklung einer Organisation von anfangs dilettantischen Idealisten zu einer perfekten globalen Kampagnenmaschine.
Die detailreichen Schilderungen der verschiedenen Aktionen von Greenpeace sind spannend zu lesen. In der ersten größeren Aktion versucht eine zusammengewürfelte Mannschaft, mit einer kleinen Jacht in den für US-amerikanische H-Bombenversuche gesperrten Bereich der Beringsee einzudringen. Sie sind selbst überrascht, wie das Medienecho auf Ihre eigentlich gescheiterte Aktion die Weltmacht USA letztlich zwingt, die Versuche in dem Gebiet einzustellen. Es folgen weitere abenteuerliche Aktionen gegen den Walfang, das Abschlachten von Robbenbabies und gegen französische Nuklearversuche in der Südsee. Dabei kommt es durch den Sprengstoffanschlag des französischen Geheimdienstes auf die "Rainbow Warrior" zu dem einzigen Todesopfer der Aktionen
Schon bei den ersten Aktionen zeigen sich Spannungen zwischen radikalen Fundamentalisten und Pragmatikern, die bereit sind auch mit Verbündeten für ihre Ziele zusammen zu arbeiten, z.B. als auch Brigitte Bardot gegen das Robbenschlachten eintritt. In vielen Ländern bilden sich lokale Greenpeace Organisationen, die bald auch eigene Kampagnen starten.
Der Bruch zwischen dem Autor und der Organisation beginnt damit, dass einerseits die Organisation sich verselbständigt und teilweise Kampagnen danach auswählt, wieviel Spenden durch klare Feindbilder mobilisierbar sind. Andererseits nimmt der Autor 1982 an einer Konferenz des United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in Nairobi teil, wo ihm die Vertreter von weniger entwickelten Ländern ins Bewusstsein bringen, dass die Menschen dort Bedürfnisse haben, die nur durch die Nutzung von gewissen Umweltressourcen befriedigt werden können. Dies motivierte ihn, nicht mehr nur gegen umweltschädigende Aktivitäten vorzugehen, sonder auch positiv zu forschen, wie die knappen Umweltressourcen nachhaltig genutzt werden können. Er betreibt selbst eine Lachsfarm als Alternative zur Überfischung der wilden Lachse und beteiligt sich an der Entwicklung von Konzepten zu nachhaltiger Forstwirtschaft.
Der Bruch wird endgültig, als Greenpeace Kampagnen eben gegen diese nachhaltige Ressourcennutzung startet.
In weiteren Kapiteln beschreibt der Autor ausführlich weitere Kampagnen von Greenpeace die bestenfalls unsinnig sind, aber oft sogar nachhaltige und effiziente Ressourcennutzung verhindern. Da diese Kampagnen aber immer ein klares Feindbild haben, treffen sie in Medien und Öffentlichkeit auf viel Zustimmung.
Diese Kapitel sind eine Pflichtlektüre für alle an Umweltschutz und nachhaltiger Entwicklung interessierten Menschen. Daher trotz einiger Längen und Wiederholungen 5 Sterne.
Das Buch ist auf Englisch z.T. schwierig zu lesen, vor allem dort, wo die sprachliche Verfälschung von Umweltproblemen in den Medien behandelt wird. Ich frage mich, ob Greenpeace mit Druck auf Verleger eine deutsche Übersetzung verhindert, oder ob Greenpeace schon so mächtig ist, dass Verleger sich dies in vorauseilender Selbstzensur gar nicht trauen?

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