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We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast Hardcover – September 17, 2019
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In We Are the Weather, Jonathan Safran Foer explores the central global dilemma of our time in a surprising, deeply personal, and urgent new way.
Some people reject the fact, overwhelmingly supported by scientists, that our planet is warming because of human activity. But do those of us who accept the reality of human-caused climate change truly believe it? If we did, surely we would be roused to act on what we know. Will future generations distinguish between those who didn’t believe in the science of global warming and those who said they accepted the science but failed to change their lives in response?
The task of saving the planet will involve a great reckoning with ourselves―with our all-too-human reluctance to sacrifice immediate comfort for the sake of the future. We have, he reveals, turned our planet into a farm for growing animal products, and the consequences are catastrophic. Only collective action will save our home and way of life. And it all starts with what we eat―and don’t eat―for breakfast.
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherFarrar, Straus and Giroux
- Publication dateSeptember 17, 2019
- Dimensions5.51 x 1.01 x 8.61 inches
- ISBN-100374280002
- ISBN-13978-0374280000
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We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Winner of the 2020 Green Prize for Sustainable Literature
Financial Times Best Books of 2019
The Guardian Best Food Books of 2019
Fast Company Best Climate Books of 2019
"Beautiful, powerful writing that's made me rethink the way I eat." ―Samin Nosrat, author of Salt Fat Acid Heat
"Eye-opening . . . In this follow-up to his influential Eating Animals, [Foer] brings both personality and passion to an issue that no one has figured out how to address in a way that inspires an adequate response." ―Mark Bittman, The New York Times Book Review
“This is a life-changing book and will alter your relationship to food for ever . . . Lucid, heartfelt, deeply compassionate . . . Sharp, hard-hitting.” ―Alex Preston, The Guardian (Observer book of the week)
“Remarkable . . . Foer is an innovative writer whose skills are deployed here most effectively in analysing what motivates people to sacrifice short-term comfort and convenience for the sake of salvation in the longer term―and what makes them believe a crisis is real at an emotional level rather than acknowledging it intellectually and carrying on regardless.” ―Clive Cookson, Financial Times
“In a style rarely found in books about global catastrophe, [Foer] interweaves personal stories, bulleted factoids and a delicious serving of metaphor. The effect is dazzling.” ―Bruce Watson, The Washington Post
"Foer begins his newest book as a climate-based argument for eliminating meat, eggs, and dairy from the American diet. But the novelist and author of Eating Animals is really too thoughtful and self-doubting to stop the conversation there . . . A vigorous and unflinching meditation on Foer’s own status as a father―and a descendant of Holocaust survivors―trying to answer for his role in a man-made disaster." ―Reid Singer, Outside
“What could be misconstrued as a pedantic and mildly pejorative tome extolling the virtues of veganism is actually an investigation of our daily choices, what they say about us as individuals, and what they could say about humanity. It is not about food so much as it is about life and how to live it, which is fitting as the two are inextricably linked.” ―Elizabeth de Cleyre, The Millions
"We Are the Weather is an earnest call to action in the face of climate change, but it’s not a polemic. Instead, it’s a personal exploration." ―Ross Scarano, The Wall Street Journal
"An ode to collective action, persuasively asking readers to take a hard look at our own role in the climate crisis and its solutions." ―Kate Wheeling, The New Republic
“Foer masterfully uses metaphor and paradox to demonstrate both the good and the evil of which humans are capable . . . His message is poignant and painful, bleak and hopeful. He adroitly challenges readers to combat ‘the greatest crisis humankind has ever faced.’” ―Bill Schwab, eMissourian.com
"Foer's message is both moving and painful, depressing and optimistic, and it will force readers to rethink their commitment to combating 'the greatest crisis humankind has ever faced.'" ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Deeply contemplative and artfully creative . . . In his desire to convince others to take action, Foer raises the philosophical bar, which is, perhaps, the most effective way of fomenting sincere and long-lasting commitment to this life-threatening crisis." ―Carol Haggas, Booklist
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Farrar, Straus and Giroux (September 17, 2019)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0374280002
- ISBN-13 : 978-0374280000
- Item Weight : 12.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.51 x 1.01 x 8.61 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #283,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #167 in Environmental Policy
- #228 in Climatology
- #290 in Food Science (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Jonathan Safran Foer is the author of the bestseller Everything Is Illuminated, named Book of the Year by the Los Angeles Times and the winner of numerous awards, including the Guardian First Book Prize, the National Jewish Book Award, and the New York Public Library Young Lions Prize. Foer was one of Rolling Stone's "People of the Year" and Esquire's "Best and Brightest." Foreign rights to his new novel have already been sold in ten countries. The film of Everything Is Illuminated, directed by Liev Schreiber and starring Elijah Wood, will be released in August 2005. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close has been optioned for film by Scott Rudin Productions in conjunction with Warner Brothers and Paramount Pictures. Foer lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book very informative, imaginative, and thought-provoking. They also describe it as the best climate book with regards to both the facts and the imagination. Opinions differ on the writing style, with some finding it wonderful and others saying it's poorly written and overintellectualized.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book very informative, making them think deeply. They also appreciate the author's imagination and knowledge of the subject. Readers say the book presents facts about climate change and how individuals can take action. They say it's the best climate book with regards to both the facts and how it'll change their actions.
"This book is brilliant and everyone should read it, even if you’re not going to change how you eat..." Read more
"I'm so glad I bought this book, because it made me think deeply as well as clarified for me how what I eat has a tremendous impact on climate change...." Read more
"...It is an easy read - chapters are 3-6 pages. Narrative captures attention. Just read it!" Read more
"...one hand, the facts presented in this book were convincing and sobering enough that I will be conscious of my meat consumption...." Read more
Customers find the book informative, persuasive, and fascinating. They also say the author makes a compelling case for unified action through a small sacrifice.
"On the one hand, the facts presented in this book were convincing and sobering enough that I will be conscious of my meat consumption...." Read more
"I really enjoyed Eating Animals. That book was very convincing and informative. it is also the reason for me to become mostly vegetarian...." Read more
"Fascinating book. He makes a compelling case for unified action through a small sacrifice. It’s not preachy. He likes meat...." Read more
"An at the same time disconcerting and encouraging read...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style. Some find the book wonderful and will stay with them for a long time, while others say it's poorly written and overwrought.
"...It is eye opening, well written and a must for anyone who wonders what they can personally do to make a difference. I cannot recommend it enough...." Read more
"...This is a must read. It is an easy read - chapters are 3-6 pages. Narrative captures attention. Just read it!" Read more
"...death, and for about 40 pages (Part IV) he indulges in practically unreadable self-dialogue in which all he says is he doesn't take his own advice..." Read more
"Easy read but really would only read the first three parts...." Read more
Reviews with images
Finally found a legitimate and impactful action I can take against climate crisis
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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So here's the good part: In the midst of all the media hype about electric vehicles and solar panels, Jonathan Safran Foer brings attention to the issue of planetary diet and the contribution the farming of animals is bringing to greenhouse gases. This issue shows up in "figure out your carbon footprint" apps, but this is the first time I've actually heard it talked about. It's going to take years to green up our power usage, but changing eating habits can happen overnight. Time is of the essence and this is something we can actually fix right now. If this is as big a deal as he says it is this information should be shouted from the housetops and preached in all our media.
But that's not what most of the book is about. The writer wanders, meanders, tells stories, obsesses over death, and for about 40 pages (Part IV) he indulges in practically unreadable self-dialogue in which all he says is he doesn't take his own advice and he doesn't know why. The author's advice is everybody should abstain from eating any animal products before dinner and he admits he doesn't do it.
Here's what is missing from the book: The author doesn't give any data to back up his assertation that if we all just didn't eat animals products for breakfast and lunch it would solve half the greenhouse gas problems. This advice implies there is a budget for how much we can eat in animal products daily and still save the planet. So what's the budget? He doesn't say. There is no discussion of the merits of the carbon footprint of some animals products over others. If he was advocating we all become vegans that information wouldn't matter, but he's saying just don't eat animal products before dinner. There are no suggestions for environmentally friendly replacements for the protein most of us get from, say, milk & cereal. If there is a budget, doesn't it make more sense to keep the milk (lower carbon footprint) and skip the hamburger (higher carbon footprint)? The author covers none of this -- I looked it up.
I think I can answer the author's question about why he doesn't follow his own advice: his advice doesn't make any sense. The issue is vitally important, though, and so the value to me of reading this book was to spur me to learn more about what I can do to help save the environment before I can afford an electric vehicle or solar panels.
Here's the time saver tip: to get started learning about this issue, read Section II: How to prevent the Greatest Dying, and read the Appendix, which discusses data on how animal farming contributes greenhouse gas. Skip all the rest.
Top reviews from other countries
We Are the Weather is a combination of statistics/research and the author's personal history and current struggles--which makes for great reading. The statistics in the book that really hit me: if cows were their own country, they would rank 3rd in greenhouse gas emissions after the US and China; more than 99% of meat eaten in the US is raised in factory farmed. That 93 million selfies are taken every day by Android users alone. Foer says that to save the planet and make palpable change, we need the complete opposite of a selfie.
Everyone feels some hypocrisy with this issue--I love to travel and often am on planes for pleasure--hurting the environment. I love to make my Grandmother's biscuits for my family, a recipe that calls for butter and milk. But, as Foer says, this is what it looks like to try. I do not usually write book reviews, but please read this book--it will change the way you live!










