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We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast Hardcover – September 17, 2019

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 940 ratings

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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.


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From the Publisher

We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast

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

Jonathan Safran Foer is the author of the novels Everything Is Illuminated, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Here I Am, and the nonfiction book Eating Animals. His work has received numerous awards and been translated into thirty-six languages. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 940 ratings

About the author

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Jonathan Safran Foer
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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

4.3 out of 5 stars
940 global ratings

Customers 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

26 customers mention "Content"22 positive4 negative

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

4 customers mention "Informative"4 positive0 negative

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

13 customers mention "Writing style"9 positive4 negative

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

Finally found a legitimate and impactful action I can take against climate crisis
5 out of 5 stars

Finally found a legitimate and impactful action I can take against climate crisis

Wish I could give this more stars!! Have always been a big believer in climate change and the culprit behind it: humans. But I've never felt like there was anything I could realistically do that would have an actual impact. This book showed me the connection between diet and climate change, and I'm looking forward to drastically reducing my carbon footprint. Read this book if you want to leave it feeling hopeful about what you can do in the fight against climate change!
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2019
This book is brilliant and everyone should read it, even if you’re not going to change how you eat (but it would be hard no to, he makes such a compelling case) because Foer explores and dismantles the collective psychology that keeps us from acting on what we know is right. It’s not about being a climate change denier versus a climate change believer (because while they have different beliefs, both groups behave very similarly), or what side end of the political spectrum your on, it all comes down to this question: are we doing what needs to be done to save the planet? We are not. And it’s not just because the fossil fuel industry is selling the planet’s future (it is though), and we don’t just need new legislature that will regulate industries (but we do need this), what we don’t want to face is that we need to change our lifestyles. We need to change. And it’s clear we really don’t want to. The revelation for me in this book was what Foer says about emotions—how we feel about climate chang (shame, depression, anger, self-righteousness) doesn’t matter and actually gets in the way. I was a vegetarian, and then I wasn’t and everyone around me was really relieved, and then when I decided to go back to vegetarianism I felt so much shame because I’d already fallen off the wagon and I was worried my social network would roll their eyes that I was trying again. And you know what, some people did but that’s okay, because climate change isn’t about my feelings of embarrassment, or other people’s feelings of glee—it’s about doing what we know from facts and science is the right thing to do and that’s not eating animal products. My feelings about it don’t matter and that is freeing! Also, meat eating is an addiction, and like with most addictions, you’re going to relapse, so don’t beat yourself up and hang in there.
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2022
This book discussed why many of us are challenged by what it takes to make real change for the health of the planet. 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. Buy this book!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2019
We are fortunate to have a strong case made in the complicated discussions on climate crises. To read that each of us can make a crucial choice about our planet and its future is welcomed and necessary. As Mr Foer writes, the choice is not simple or uncomplicated, but neither is doing nothing. His compelling argument is a challenge we all must embrace.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2019
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. A crucial point of We are the Weather is that fossil fuel is only one part of climate change, and that in fact, animal agriculture is one of the MOST significant contributors to climate change. Changing how we eat is a high impact activity in relationship to climate change, and one that each of us can start without waiting for governments or big industry. The details of this book are what make it powerful, as well as Foer's analysis of why human beings struggle to bridge the gap between believing in climate change, and doing what is necessary to combat it. A fascinating, enlightening, and empowering read.
35 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2022
I grant 5 stars for the message and 0 stars for the delivery. Exact quote from page 64: "This is a book about the impacts of animal agriculture on the environment. Yet I have managed to conceal that for the previous sixty-three pages." As if the reader hadn't noticed...

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.
15 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2019
Brilliantly written and presented. Foer reminds us of our history of making great sacrifices as a nation to protect the freedoms and way of life we refuse to give up. Facts, heart and gut wrenching statistics, point to our food choices as one of the main contributors to climate change and other critical environmental concerns. The good news is that we can make different choices to immediately move to healthier environments and healthier populations. This is a must read. It is an easy read - chapters are 3-6 pages. Narrative captures attention. Just read it!
21 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Sander Claassen
5.0 out of 5 stars Urgent message, wonderfully written
Reviewed in the Netherlands on May 15, 2021
In this important book Jonathan Safran Foer shows his talent as a writer by combining an excellent technical explanation of our current ecological crisis with a very personal and literary analysis of what it means to realize what situation we are in and how to act on that. Highly recommended!
Teresa Chein
5.0 out of 5 stars Para crear conciencia
Reviewed in Mexico on November 22, 2019
He aprendido mucho de este libro, incluso he tomado frases que se me han hecho muy sabias, lectura agradable y ágil, información fácil de comprender, pero inquietante
Dave
3.0 out of 5 stars It's ok
Reviewed in Canada on November 21, 2019
It started off great. He hit all the right points, but it got a little too personal, especially about his grandmother. I felt he lost focus. And eating hamburgers at the airport. Really?
Lola Wasserstein
5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this book
Reviewed in Italy on June 15, 2020
I read Eating Animals two years ago--randomly picked it up at the airport--and my daughter and I have not eaten meat since. That's the impact of Foer's writing. I just finished We Are the Weather and it was not an easy read--yet it should be required reading. I thank him for writing both this book and Eating Animals. These two books have changed the way I think and behave and I have been recommending them both to friends and family.

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!
4 people found this helpful
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Cgn-Mg
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in France on April 26, 2020
Un livre que tout le monde devrait lire. Très important, très bien écrit et très intéressant. Un must !