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Requiem for a Species: Why We Resist the Truth About Climate Change 1st Edition

4.3 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

This book does not set out once more to raise the alarm to encourage us to take radical measures to head off climate chaos. There have been any number of books and reports in recent years explaining just how dire the future looks and how little time we have left to act.

This book is about why we have ignored those warnings, and why it is now too late. It is a book about the frailties of the human species as expressed in both the institutions we built and the psychological dispositions that have led us on the path of self-destruction. It is about our strange obsessions, our hubris, and our penchant for avoiding the facts. It is the story of a battle within us between the forces that should have caused us to protect the Earth - our capacity to reason and our connection to Nature - and those that, in the end, have won out - our greed, materialism and alienation from Nature. And it is about the 21st century consequences of these failures.

Clive Hamilton is author of the bestselling Affluenza and Growth Fetish, of Scorcher, and most recently Freedom Paradox.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Listen to this Requiem and weep, if it helps. False hope is as dangerous as despair. But don't get mired in helplessness. Above all, Requiem is a call to arms; to the urgent task of overhauling democracy in pursuit of survival. At stake, the biggest prize of all: our own humanity.' Tim Jackson, author of Prosperity Without Growth 'I am afraid Clive Hamilton has it right about climate change - deeply afraid. Requiem is a brave and searingly honest book by a brilliant scholar. Ignoring it will only make a bad situation worse, so, please, read this book now.' James Gustave Speth, author of The Bridge at the Edge of the World: Capitalism, the Environment and Crossing from Crisis to Sustainability and Dean Emeritus, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies 'Requiem for a Species is a remarkable publication which brings together the scientific imperatives of taking action in the field of climate change. Hamilton highlights the political inertia which is currently acting as a roadblock. In the wake of the weak outcome of Copenhagen, this book assumes added significance in breaking the resistance to the truth about climate change.' R K Pachauri, Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Director-General, TERI 'I find it hard to imagine what life would be like if I had genuinely come to the irrevocable conclusion that it was too late to do anything serious about preventing runaway climate change� For me, this ongoing internal dialogue gets a little bit more painful, every year � And having just finished reading Clive Hamilton's excellent (but deeply disturbing!) Requiem for a Species, I'm now going to have to think it all through all over again.' Jonathon Porritt, Founder, Forum for the Future, and author of Capitalism As if the World Matters 'Requiem offers an insightful and informative look at why the human species can't come to terms with a changing climate. And Hamilton's conclusion--To despair, accept, then act--is an important call for us to respond to climate change immediately and decisively or spend the rest of our lives reacting to a warming world and an unraveling civilization.' Erik Assadourian, Director: State of the World 2010: Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability and Senior Researcher, Worldwatch Institute 'Clive Hamilton investigates - in real time - our society's choice not to act to protect ourselves from devastating climate change. We know the science, but 'scientific facts are fighting against more powerful forces' - power, money, bureaucratic inertia and our innate desire to ignore what we don't want to believe. 'It's too late,' he says. 'Humanity failed.' That past tense is devastating.' Fred Pearce, writer and author of The Last Generation: How Nature will take her Revenge for Climate Change 'Hamilton's book presents a powerful statement of the problems confronting us - not just the problem of climate change itself, but the tendency to wish the problem away by denial (which in less extreme circumstances can arguably be an adaptive response to difficult situations). And all compounded by the fact that neither our institutions nor we ourselves have experience in acting on behalf of a seemingly distant future. Read this book.' Robert M May OM AC FRS 'When future generations look out on a planet ravaged by climate change, they will ask of our generation 'When you knew what was happening--surely the greatest debacle since we came out of our caves--why didn't you stop it?' Clive Hamilton proposes the problem lies with 'the perversity of our institutions, our psychological dispositions, our strange obsessions, our penchant for avoiding facts, and, especially, our hubris.' It all makes for a riveting read because (alas) it is all too true--just like Greek tragedy.' Norman Myers, 21st Century School, University of Oxford 'Requiem for a Species magnificently captures the idea that by and large, none of us want to believe that climate change is real. It explains our inability to seriously weigh the evidence of climate change, and to take appropriate action to ensure our own survival.' Tim Costello, CEO, World Vision Australia 'Clive Hamilton, as usual, has courageously challenged the current nature of our society in this inspirational new book.' Graeme Pearman, former head of the CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research 'Books that change one's life are rare... Requiem is a tour de force of compression and analysis that cannot help but shift climate change thinking.' Andres Kabel, Cultural Pilgrim (www.andreskabel.com) 'Requiem for a Species is a call to immediate action. It should be sent to every elected official at each level of government. All concerned citizen should read it in order to hold government and industry accountable for knowing the facts, altering policy, and developing clean technologies-not at some later point in time but now. The future looks grim; but, as Hamilton says, action is the best cure for despair. It may also be our only hope.' Courier Mail 'Well worth reading by anyone who takes a serious interest in climate change. It's concise, accessible, and full of insights and information which I suspect most readers will find new and revealing.' Permaculture Magazine 'Requiem for a Species is recommended for those who want to get a clearer picture of the science of climate change' Camilla Royle, Socialist Review 'Anyone even superficially concerned about climate change would fo well to read CLive Hamilton's Requiem for a Species...highly entertaining and excellently sources book' Talitha Haller, Ecosystem Marketplace. 'Even more strongly, Hamilton argues that humans have become docile puppets of the growth-focused system and that only those 'who have internalized the goals of the system most faithfully' become political leaders.' Climate Policy 'Hamilton advises that we grieve appropriately. That is, we should despair about the failure of humanity to prevent the climate change problem from reaching current levels, we should accept the new vision of the future that this entails and the need to transform our previous way of life, and we should act to make the best of the situation as we can. Unlike other drier reports and softly spoken analyses of climate change, this book frankly communicates the urgency of the problem, and I hope many people read it.' Katie Steele, Climate Law. 'As Hamilton so convincingly demonstrates, climate change is not only an inconvenient, but a distressing and fundamentally life-changing, truth. When faced with facts so alien to our ideology, we experience 'cognitive dissonance', and become almost incapable of accepting the evidence before us. So if, psychologically, humans as a species were never able to deal with the threat of climate change, is anyone really to blame? Well, Hamilton lays the blame firmly with the corporations.' Green World 'Requiem for a Species by Clive Hamilton was chosen as the May 2010 Book of the Month on my website, www.globalforesightbooks.org. Very important book.' Michael Marien, Editor, GlobalForesightBooks.org 'Anyone concerned with global affairs, facing up to climate change, and long-term futures should read this book' Michael Marien, Editor, GlobalForesightBooks.org 'Refreshing in its candour, clearly-written and well-sourced, Requiem for a Species is a landmark polemic. So while it is undoubtedly an important book for activists, it is clear humanity's future depends on those who are currently not involved in climate activism reading and acting on the facts and arguments contained within. Spread the word.' Ian Sinclair, Peace News

"This book succeeds in revealing why we have ignored the scientific warnings of climate change. Hamilton analyses the science and underlying reasons for global warming with an appropriate blend of dispassion and compassion." -Suzanne Simard, PhD, RPF, BC Forest Professional Magazine

About the Author

Clive Hamilton is professor of public ethics at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics based at the Australian National University. For 14 years until early 2008 he was the executive director of Australia's foremost progressive think tank. He has held visiting academic positions at the University of Cambridge and Yale University.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 7, 2010
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 300 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1849710813
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1849710817
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

About the author

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Clive Hamilton
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Clive Hamilton is an Australian author and public intellectual. For 14 years, until February 2008, he was the Executive Director of The Australia Institute, a progressive think tank he founded. He is now Professor of Public Ethics at Charles Sturt University in Canberra.

He has published on a wide range of subjects but is best known for his books, a number of which have been best-sellers. They include Growth Fetish (2003), Affluenza (with Richard Denniss, 2005), Requiem for a Species: Why we resist the truth about climate change, (2010), Earthmasters (2013), What Do We Want? The story of protest in Australia (2016) and Defiant Earth: The fate of humans in the Anthropocene (2017).

In 2018, his controversial and influential best-seller, Silent Invasion: China's influence in Australia, was published by Hardie Grant. A follow-up book, written with Mareike Ohlberg, Hidden Hand: How the Chinese Communist Party is reshaping the world, was published by Hardie Grant and Oneworld in 2020. It was an instant best-seller.

His memoir, Provocateur: A life of ideas in action, will be published in September 2022.

Clive has held visiting academic positions at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, University College London and Sciences Po in Paris.

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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Customers find the book superbly researched and very well written, with clear arguments that are easy to understand.

10 customers mention "Research quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers praise the research quality of the book, finding it superbly documented and well-researched, with one customer noting its clear arguments and another describing it as a fascinating read.

"...I have had gnawing at me for some time, and does so elegantly and thoroughly- in a highly readable language and form...." Read more

"...The author takes it as given that the scientific consensus is correct, and follows through on the conclusions we are led to...." Read more

"...Superbly researched, very well written, not technical and intimidating, simply a clear exposition of what our children can expect if we continue the..." Read more

"...This is a fascinating book with a dire warning. If you accept climate change, read it to understand why others don't...." Read more

8 customers mention "Writing quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to understand, though some mention it is hard to read.

"...me for some time, and does so elegantly and thoroughly- in a highly readable language and form. I cannot possibly recommend this book enough." Read more

"...Superbly researched, very well written, not technical and intimidating, simply a clear exposition of what our children can expect if we continue the..." Read more

"Clive Hamilton's research is impeccable and his writing persuasive...." Read more

"...His arguments are clear, easy to follow and chilling...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2010
    A stunningly honest and refreshing take on the situation at hand.
    Clive Hamilton has taken all of the swirling thoughts that have been aimlessly swooshing about in my head and combined them with many things I had not even considered, and finely woven them together into a cohesive and satisfying meditation on the future of our species. He has taken the fine lens of a scientific mind and turned it sharply on those who deny the validity of climate science yet support geoengineering, or those who know the seriousness of what is happening, yet persist in a sort of apathetic materialism.
    He turns his lens on those who refuse to accept facts and asks: Why? and then describes to us in glittering detail the reasons, methods, and outcomes of this behavior.
    This book tackles questions I have had gnawing at me for some time, and does so elegantly and thoroughly- in a highly readable language and form.
    I cannot possibly recommend this book enough.
    31 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2010
    I read this book shortly after the very similar Down to the Wire (by David Orr) and found it slightly less enjoyable and less well written. This may be partly because the latter was so impressive. These books belong to an altogether new genre, the post-global-warming book. Years ago there were none, now it looks like they're proliferating. Clearly the warnings from science have been getting more and more panicked in conjunction with popular opinion becoming more and more blase.
    The author takes it as given that the scientific consensus is correct, and follows through on the conclusions we are led to. Current estimates are in the range of 4 degree warming likely by 2100, which is of course quite devastating. (Particularly after the Copenhagen failure I think 4 is becoming the 'safe' bet.) In the beginning he outlines why he believes this will happen, why there will be little emissions cuts until many years from now. Obviously there haven't been a whole lot of carbon cuts so far. Most of the middle of the book is then given over to discussion about human nature, how our greed and our divorce from nature led us on this path. Thus he includes the obsession with economic growth and explains how this has led us to a new kind of religion or raison d'etre. It is likely we will be too caught up in this materialism to change our ways, and I think personally he's right. There are many books that have dealt with the topic of our materialistic hedonistic society addicted to endless growth in greater detail, and in fact there is a surplus in my opinion although I agree totally with what they are saying.
    In the later chapters he goes on to discuss the consequences of a 4 degree rise, but very briefly, unlike the 6 degrees book which discusses it at length. A very reflective final chapter discusses the longer viewpoint about our suicidal nature, how we are to deal with it, with denial, anger, acceptance, or whatever. (In my opinion war will be a big way we will deal with it.)
    So my problem with this book is mostly that it doesn't quite flow together as well as I'd expected, nor does it really dwell on the really deep philosophical ideas of what he is saying, how our species has a self-destructive nature, what it will mean thousands of years from now if only a few thousand people are left, etc. The title of the book had led me to believe that it was a bit more reflective than it in fact is.
    53 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2014
    A must read for anyone wondering where the human species is going. Superbly researched, very well written, not technical and intimidating, simply a clear exposition of what our children can expect if we continue the way we're going.
    All Clive Hamilton's books are well worth reading. Especially brilliant is "Earth Masters...the dawn of the age of climate engineering. Read it and be frightened.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2024
    Clive Hamilton's research is impeccable and his writing persuasive.
    But he doesn't get to grips with exactly what it is about human nature that underlies our inactivity on climate change. To say it is our being 'greedy' or 'incapable of facing facts' is merely descriptive.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2017
    Hamilton is one of the world's best writers on what to do about climate change. He has over the years realised how increasingly hopeless our situation has become. His approach now is similar to that of the book, "Learning to die in the Anthropocene". He likens awareness of the terrible situation we are in to the grieving process, which I find comfortable. In the same way as going to a funeral can make us reevaluate the things that are important in our own lives, accepting that the death of the world as we know it is but a stage in moving on to something better. central to his thinking is the idea that continued economic growth is no longer the answer to the world's problems and in a way we have to die and be reborn. Those familiar with King Lear will recognise this idea. For Lear it was wisdom gained too late. I am trying to gain wisdom in time.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2015
    Clive Hamilton strips away all illusions about the future of human civilization, given the present rate of fossil-fuel induced global warming. His book is intended to expand the small minority who are beginning to think about how to structure post-industrial/technological society after the grip of corporate greed and consumerism loosens. One subject he does not broach is whether the evolution of a large-brained manually-dexterous species can ever survive once it develops the capacity for technology. Clearly the next stage of human evolution (if it occurs) will involve coming to terms with man's dependence on, and cooperation in, a global ecosystem over which we have very limited control. Can we learn to live in Nature instead of attempting to subject it to our will? Perhaps the BIG JOLT that is coming for Homo sapiens will help us return to a holistic view of the cosmos.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Simo
    5.0 out of 5 stars A pertinent book indeed.
    Reviewed in Australia on July 29, 2017
    Clive Hamilton offers a compelling case for radical action on climate change. We simply do not have the luxury to be complacent any longer.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced while being scary. Essential reading.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2013
    Clive Hamilton does three separate, yet essential, things in this book. First he summarises the science today, as 99.8% of those qualified to assess it see the facts. Then he looks at how human psychology leads so many to deny the obvious and growing evidence. Finally, and most unusually, he discusses how we can think about living our lives with such a threatening future before us. Bracing stuff but not to read it is to feed your denial!
  • Chris P
    4.0 out of 5 stars Freighting
    Reviewed in Australia on March 15, 2017
    An insightful and humanist look at the psychology of how we as a society deal with the enormity of Human induced climate change.
    Sorry folks, but the party's over. Time to get back to basics and the faster the better
  • Bob smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tries to answer some nagging questions, why are we not moving into renewables?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 5, 2014
    Even if you truly don't believe there is a problem,
    it's obvious that fossil fuelled economies are going to get more expensive and die out.
    The subsidies to fossil fuel would more than pay for our transition here in the UK.
    Be prepared to get angry reading this.
  • Maddy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended but Amazon need to pay their TAXES
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2013
    What an outstanding book! Fascinating discourse on the reasons why Global Warming is minimised, partly because it is so overwhelmingly disturbing and we want to survive and partly because big corporations and the weathly don't want their opportunities to increase their wealth challenged. Thoughtful writing.