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Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism (Our Sustainable Future) Our Sustainable Future Edition

by Ozzie Zehner (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 167 ratings
Goodreads Choice Award nominee
See all formats and editions
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We don’t have an energy crisis. We have a consumption crisis. And this book, which takes aim at cherished assumptions regarding energy, offers refreshingly straight talk about what’s wrong with the way we think and talk about the problem. Though we generally believe we can solve environmental problems with more energy—more solar cells, wind turbines, and biofuels—alternative technologies come with their own side effects and limitations. How, for instance, do solar cells cause harm? Why can’t engineers solve wind power’s biggest obstacle? Why won’t contraception solve the problem of overpopulation lying at the heart of our concerns about energy, and what will?


This practical, environmentally informed, and lucid book persuasively argues for a change of perspective. If consumption is the problem, as Ozzie Zehner suggests, then we need to shift our focus from suspect alternative energies to improving social and political fundamentals: walkable communities, improved consumption, enlightened governance, and, most notably, women’s rights. The dozens of first steps he offers are surprisingly straightforward. For instance, he introduces a simple sticker that promises a greater impact than all of the nation’s solar cells. He uncovers why carbon taxes won’t solve our energy challenges (and presents two taxes that could). Finally, he explores how future environmentalists will focus on similarly fresh alternatives that are affordable, clean, and can actually improve our well-being.


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  1. ISBN-10
    0803237758
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0803237759
  3. Edition
    Our Sustainable Future
  4. Publisher
    University of Nebraska Press
  5. Publication date
    June 1, 2012
  6. Part of series
    Our Sustainable Future
  7. Language
    English
  8. Dimensions
    6 x 1.25 x 9 inches
  9. Print length
    464 pages
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Causing shockwaves...Not anti-green but simply asking questions" -The Sunday Times

"Terrific book. . . . Zehner is especially good at untangling sloppy thinking." -David Owen, The New Yorker and author of Green Metropolis

Top Nonfiction Books --Goodreads

"This book takes a look at the dark underbelly of 'green energy' and attempts to shift the US dialogue to a more pressing problem: consumption."--Christian Science Monitor

AWARDS
  • Nautilus Book Award Winner
  • IPPY Award Winner
  • Best Earth Day Books - Christian Science Monitor
  • N. California Book Award Winner

From the Inside Flap

Green Illusions is a critical primer on solar cells, wind turbines, biofuels, nuclear power, clean coal, and electric cars. It also delivers three dozen first steps around the themes of environmental justice, overpopulation, rebound effects, energy economics, degrowth, taxes, bicycling, livable neighborhoods, and energy conservation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Nebraska Press; Our Sustainable Future edition (June 1, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0803237758
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0803237759
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.25 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 167 ratings

About the author

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Ozzie Zehner

Ozzie Zehner

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The Sunday Times describes Ozzie Zehner as "an academic who is causing shockwaves." He is the author of Green Illusions and a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. He regularly guest lectures at universities and public policy organizations.

Ozzie Zehner has written for Christian Science Monitor, The American Scholar, The Humanist, Grist, The Futurist, Women's Studies Quarterly and other publications. He has spoken on energy and environmentalism on CNN, MSNBC, PBS, BBC, CBC and numerous local TV & radio programs. He attended Kettering University (BS -Engineering) and The University of Amsterdam (MS/Drs - Science and Technology Studies).

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
167 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book very informative, insightful, and provocative. They describe it as a worthwhile, entertaining read that offers critical perspectives on green energy.

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Information qualityReadabilityWriting style
25 customers mention "Information quality"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very informative, insightful, and provocative. They say it's a great thinking book for all people interested in green energy. Readers appreciate the candid and striking discussion of topics that have typically been swept under the rug.

"...Thanks to the author for a candid and striking discussion of topics that have typically been swept under the rug in our American society...." Read more

"Without a doubt, this is the most engaging and insightful book I've read on environmental issues...." Read more

"Excellent information, informative, insightful...." Read more

"...Zehner is very pragmatic and realistic in his understanding that any proposed improvements will have to fit organically into peoples lives...." Read more

20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, informative, and engaging. They say it offers critical perspectives on green energy. Readers also mention it's the best non-fiction book they have read in a long time.

"...This is an excellent book that I will read and refer back to again and again." Read more

"Without a doubt, this is the most engaging and insightful book I've read on environmental issues...." Read more

"...While entertaining to read (Zehner's investigative journalism is top notch), it is unfortunate that this part will draw the most attention/debate..." Read more

"...being informative and thought provoking, Green Illuions is a highly enjoyable read...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style well-written and informative. They say the author knows words and has memorable lines.

"...I found his writing style to be unique and almost as if he was carrying on a conversation...." Read more

"...The author knows words and I've marked lots of memorable lines...." Read more

"...think again and read this well written book!" Read more

"Well written, extremely informative..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Jocelyn Mercado
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a life-changing book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2014
Verified Purchase
I already had some mild opinions about environmentalism, drilling for oil, empty consumerism, the U.S. car culture, etc before reading this book. I bought this book because I was seeking an honest, open analysis of "what can the average person do help with the climate/environmental crisis?" This book has absolutely, 110%, answered my question.

Zehner has provided important information that all Americans (really, all people in industrialized countries) should be exposed to. You'll find out why solar cells, wind power, ethanol, and other "green" energy solutions are not as perfect as they are touted in the popular media. You'll probably be shocked to comprehend exactly how deeply ingrained we are in U.S. culture with the need to drive cars, buy as much as possible, and work overtime. Think about it - what do people really want? More vacation time? More time with the people we love, friends and family? More time outdoors in nature? And yet what do we do everyday? We go to work, go to the store, sit in traffic, eat prepackaged food, and watch TV. Do these activities make us happier? Healthier? More able to enjoy every moment? No. Absolutely not. The book includes realistic ways for real people to start small in reversing the unhealthy, damaging habits we have developed in our society over the past few hundred years, as well as larger, more sweeping suggestions for communities and the government to consider.

If you want to read a book that will make you question your current way of life, and start working toward living a better life right now, read this book. If you're paying any attention at all, it will spur you into action. Let's start taking better care of ourselves and our earth, today, right now. Thanks to the author for a candid and striking discussion of topics that have typically been swept under the rug in our American society. This is an excellent book that I will read and refer back to again and again.
15 people found this helpful
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Oleg
5.0 out of 5 stars An argument for the primacy of community & virtue rather than technological innovation in dealing with environmental challenges
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2012
Verified Purchase
Without a doubt, this is the most engaging and insightful book I've read on environmental issues. Most of us think that our greatest environmental challenges will be solved by innovative scientists and entrepreneurs working to harness renewable sources of energy. We bank on the ingenuity of technical experts to power our future needs with solar panels, wind turbines, biofuels, nuclear plants, and other alternative energy technologies. Ozzie Zehner offers a very different view: our environmental survival and wellbeing are in our own hands, not those of technology gurus. We have a consumption, not an energy, crisis, and it can be resolved primarily through our own self-discipline and resourcefulness rather than others' inventive genius. We can no longer continue refashioning the world to suit our needs and wants in hope that technology can keep up with our runaway appetites. Zehner offers a trenchant critique of current alternative energy technologies explaining in accessible terms their drawbacks and limitations. The path toward sustainable communities lies through a reappraisal of our everyday lifestyles and values. What will matter for our collective life beyond the 21st century is what consumer goods we enjoy, what homes and neighborhoods we inhabit, what transportation we use, what foods we eat, what hobbies we pursue, and other contexts of a responsible personal life and a just society. Green Illusions discusses several practical strategies toward securing a livable future with a focus on our consumption patterns, cultural values, and civic engagement. Zehner explicates environmental concerns and first steps for tackling them in diverse social spheres--including urban development, scientific research, media, education, healthcare, and political governance--to help us understand how to live more like informed and engaged citizens rather than passive onlookers and consumers. When you finish reading this book, you have no illusions that a genuine environmental change starts with you, with adjusting your deep-seated habits and pursuits--a vexing but empowering truth.
18 people found this helpful
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Sara Bellum
4.0 out of 5 stars An important read. Worth it.
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
Excellent information, informative, insightful. You don't have to agree with, or certainly like, everything the author has to say to get a lot out of this book. It is almost sad that he is breaking new ground in talking about that taboo subject of the PROBLEMS with our teenage love affair with alternative, "green" energy.

Sometimes I think the data offered up is a bit skewed in defense of his points, but find me someone who doesn't do that for their publication, he is reasonable in his conclusions overall, even if not perhaps 100% always accurate - arguably, again, maybe he is - and that's the point, these things need to be discussed, even argued about more. If there is one thing I'd conclude about this book, it's not to let all the bad news get you down and throw this book on the pile of "Debbie Downer" harbingers of bad news, it is more than that. We need to evolve in our love affair and grow up when it comes to assessing - and applying - the realities of alternative energy beyond the conscripts of for-profit capitalism, and dreamy, black and white thinking of too many environmentalists who want to embrace all energy renewables, all the time, in all places. And what I love most is that he talks about reducing CONSUMPTION over all. Finally, someone is saying the "c' word!
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kerry Kaminski
5.0 out of 5 stars Great message in a time of a foolish rush to windmills, solar panels and EV's!
Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is a very well written and researched book by an environmentalist. It should be required reading by all would be environmentalists. Basically, the author does a thorough job of debunking all of the alleged alternative energies that will save us from the ills of fossil fuel use. The failures of those technologies should be obvious from a casual review of their economics alone and need for massive government supports to bring them into use. However, most people do not care to do simple counting and books like this become necessary to show illuminate all of their shortcomings in great detail. The book ends with a series of recommendations to take us to a lower consumption lifestyle, some of which are powerful, such as more women's empowerment to hopefully lead to smaller human populations, and "walkable", public transit/cycling dominant cities of apartment dwellers which are of much more dubious merit.
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Elvis
4.0 out of 5 stars THE book about green energy
Reviewed in Germany on August 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
The author is well red, informed and concious about the things that happen in this world. I enjoyed his observations about the media and our culture as a whole, about the things that are sold to us and about the things we want to buy ( I mean ideas and not items ).

However, this book is not very reader frendly. It seems, that the author just wanted to write everyhting that he could about every topic and it seems that he was not caring too much about the experience of the reader. He just wanted to write "The book about the green energy and environmentalism", and he did it by covering it from a lot of angles. But the books sometimes feels just too much.

The author acknowledged, that in order to improve the situation, you can not just chase after only one thing. He admitted that the society and our structures are connected and do not abide one simple force, however, even though author made smart suggestions, the overall solution still feels like a suggestion from a person who red a lot and thinks that - "this is how it is going to work". From my perspective, the word is more complex than that and you can not really influence the direction in which it is going with your "best" intentions.
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Bozone
5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced
Reviewed in Australia on January 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
Looks at all the alternatives to fossil fuelled energy sources and highlights vested interest pushing one technology over another. All technologies - solar, wind, hydro, nuclear - all have environmental impacts (including CO2) impacts which are never mentioned by proponents of the various technologies. A must read for any one requiring unbiased information.
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Green River
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyday illusions clearly debunked
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
Great and realistic expose of Green Delusions by Ozzie zehner and well worth getting a copy to run through his analyses. Look, I'm a deep green conservation activist and I've long seen the crass nature of the industrialisation of environmental rescue. The two do not mix in any rational manner. Ossie looks at this dichotomy in this book, with excellent exemplars and a good view to the future.
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solariane
4.0 out of 5 stars à lire mais répétitif
Reviewed in France on April 17, 2014
Verified Purchase
Une première partie intéressante qui mets le doigt sur les limitations importantes des énergies vertes...une seconde partie moins convaincante et surtout "lourde" où l'auteur insiste sur les "vraies alternatives" - c'est dommage parce que sur le fond le propos est assez limpide ( consommer moins / changer de modèle de société ) mais se noie dans les répétitions et des arguments plus discutables
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