Why Our Climate Change Solutions Are a Mirage - Book Report/Review Example

Book Review: Why Our Climate Change Solutions Are A Mirage Submitted by: XXXXXXXX Number: XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXSubject Code: XXXXXXXXX University of XXXXXXXXX Publication details: Name of Book: The Sustainability Mirage: Illusion and Reality in the Coming War on Climate Change Author: John Foster Date: 09 Sep, 2008 Publisher: Earthscan Place of Publication: London Number of Pages: 190 Pages Summary of Contents: John Foster’s “Illusion and Reality in the Coming War on Climate Change”, is a very controversial book and has been written and published in the right time, when the biggest challenge that the world is facing is that of climate change and global warming. Foster concentrates on the ‘sustainable development’ which he feels is a major possibility for a better world. The book discusses the sustainable development issues. The main crux of the book is the declining condition of the Earth and Foster explains in his book that the choosing to save the planet for the future generations is not enough and that the task is one which is on a slippery slope which can’t ever be achieved. The book concentrates on the battle of climate change and global warming and the sustainable development as well. There is a major focus on the present and also on the future and the amount of pressures that are being faced. The present care and efforts that are made have a major impact on the overall possible future. The author has also referred to the sustainable development as a mirage. All efforts that we make are towards a movable target and the actions always tend to fall short of the target. Hence as explained above Foster has referred to the target, as a slipping slop. The author explains that although we might feel that we are reaching the goal and have been able to sustain and improve the current issue of global warming. The author has in a very effective manner discussed the possible ways to break through understanding sustainability. He explains that the main focus needs to be on the present and not too much on the obligations of the future. This he explains will help people get a grip of what they do each day and make small changes and improvements. Foster also explains that humans should avoid rising the carbon challenge now and should focus on this rather than on micro managing the long term issues. Foster also brings out an excellent suggestion and requests to focus on the science and magnitude of the issue in terms of scientific findings and not simply based on strategies and game plans. The author has also suggested some wonderful ideas like using the short terms processes and dynamics to help develop a better learning for the future. The book also includes possible substitute sustainability models and helps in exploration of how these models might work in different areas like the use of energy, enterprises, governance and also education. The book in some ways provides practical solutions to the issue and also helps build a strong strategy to face the mirage. In a brief overview, the book is a wholesome view of the issue of global warming and other environment environmental issues. There is a clear and focused discussion which helps understand the various sustainability options that are present and also helps in creating a strong set of strategies to deal with the ever growing issue of global warming and deep sustainability. The overall book deals with areas of research that need focus and also the various steps that people across the world need to take to be able to find a solution for the issue being faced. The book also concentrates on the need for a more honest approach to be able to live a more greener and environmental friendly lifestyle as well as to keep our planet safe for the future generations as well. In short the entire book is based on the deep sustainability and also how this can be achieved to help our world become a much better place. Key Points and Insights: The entire book has been based on the theory of sustainability and the ‘sustainability mirage’. The author explains that the idea of having a sustainable environment is like a mirage, and that every time we feel we are reaching a point where the environment has recovered completely, the goal is only much further away. Similar to a mirage, the goal is never actually there, hence it is referred to as a ‘sustainability mirage’. The author has brought out several excellent points in the book and has provided some excellent explanations to the current issues that are being faced in the current times. The author brings out an excellent point where he explains, “I remember the days when to stand up on a march in London and talk about this stuff was to be dismissed as a complete freak and a loony - woolly hatted lentil-stirrers was the kind of thing people said about us” (Rowling, 2008). This is an excellent point as the importance of a greener and safer environment were not given to much thought in the past. However in the current times with the high levels of scientific evidences that have been found, it is now clear that the issue of global warming and other environment degrading issues is at a rise. The author has been able to make some very strong points which form the crux of the book. Firstly, he has expressed the sustainability as a Mirage. The author has provided a few reasons for this and these I feel are the crux of the book and the most essential aspects of the book. Foster explains that the possible reasons why sustainability might not work are due to the following reasons. Firstly, he explains that people’s actions are most reflective of the change levels that the individuals are most comfortable with and not too much focused on the amount of change that is required to be able to make an objective difference. Secondly, Foster explains, that most people tend to forge numbers and make adjustments to the plans to justify the actions and to provide themselves with concessions. In situations like these, there tends to be a clear level of lack in efforts from all towards a greener and more environmental friendly planet. Also as explained by Foster, it is difficult to create a strong political will for a greener planet and the level of carbon budgeting in all countries requires to be more accurate and truer than that which is in place now. Foster clearly explains in his book, that there is a clear lacking in terms of the conscious or semi conscious efforts that individuals make and in most cases all the steps taken by the individuals are in some way or another throwing away the future and destroying Mother Nature to a great extent. The above mentioned point forms the crux of the book and are the major points and insights provided in the book. The above mentioned points are very meaningful and form a debatable topic to a great extent. It is essential to note that the contributions of individuals to the development and improvement of the planet is relatively much lower than the destructive nature of the individuals. Hence the points explained by Foster are essential and very helpful in the subject as a whole. Critical Analysis: The affects of global warming are vast and spread across and the dangers are several. With the growing levels of irresponsible behavior on the part of humans and several other factors, the biggest issue in hand is ‘Global Warming’. The term global warming is used to describe the changes, more specifically the increase in the temperature of the Earth. The issue has been studied over several years and one of the major attributes to the issue is the increase in the greenhouse gases (Houghton, 2009). Several studies over the years by numerous scientists across over 130 countries have led to the conclusion that almost all or major part of the global warming is due to humans. The global warming that is caused due to humans is referred to as ‘anthropogenic climate change’. There are several things that humans have done which have led to the situation of global warming. Some of these include factors like industrialization, deforestation, and pollution which have impacted the levels of water vapor, carbon di oxide, methane gas, and also nitrous oxide. This leads the greenhouse gases to be a trapped near the Earth’s surface thereby making the level of heat much higher (Singer & Avery, 2007). Considering these studies and the current situation, the book by Foster is an appropriate book and helps in development of more awareness and improved knowledge of the environment. The author has brought out an excellent point in the book which helps us focus on the larger issue like the need to focus on making the world better in the current times rather than concentrating on the future. Also the book helps enlighten people of the simple mistakes that are being made and the need to help improve and correct these mistakes. Foster also explains that there is a need for more concentration of the needs of the planet in the present time rather than in the long run and long term goals for the climate change. Hence he explains that there is a need for more cooperation and coordination among organizations and governments to help keep track of the carbon emissions. The governments and the society together will need to work hand in hand to save the world and to at least be able to retain the world at the current level. In order to be able to develop a plan which might help increase the awareness among all the people in the world a brief sustainability plan has been designed. The author has provided a very practical and has brought out the need for people across the world to concentrate on the issue and work towards a better planet. Global warming is a global issue and it is not one which will affect only a few countries. If we aim at saving out planet, it is essential that a form of unity and commitment is formed within each one of us and a form of unity among countries is also essential. The support of the government is necessary here to help ensure that countries can have cordial and helping nature so that we can also work together to resolve this issue. Similar to how the entire world is ready to take up a new technology and enjoy the benefits, it is necessary that the world works together to build a safer planet (Spencer, 2010). Companies can help by passing the message; governments can help by keeping cordial relations with other countries, so we can help one another in times of difficulties. Most importantly, it is up to each individual on the planet to their bit to help reduce the emission of the gases and prevent global warming. Foster explains that there is no possibility for the planet to improve and any significant changes to be brought about in the planet and overall working unless and until there is rationing of the carbon emissions. This is an excellent point made by the author and it is in a number of ways an encouraging push for individuals across the world to make conscious efforts for the improvement of the planet. In simple words the book encourages people to contribute to making the planet greener and gives an underlying message. The world is our own, and irrespective of which country we belong, or which religion we belong, we need to understand that ignorance or not taking up responsibility is not an answer here and we all lose if global warming continues to grow as it is currently. Conclusion: Based in the book and the current situation across the world, I completely agree with the points that have been put forth by Foster. There is clarity in though and explanation of the issues with a strong and well expressed foresight for the world. The book to a great extent is a clear explanation of the issues being faced in the real world. Also there is no over judging the ways individuals across the world act towards global warming, yet there is a clear and straight point that has been made. The book has acted as a major motivating factor for me and I am confident the book will be equally appreciated by others in the same field. I would recommend this book to almost everyone, most importantly, the industrialist and government across the world. This will help keep a major tab on the carbon emission and thereby help make a better and greener planet today rather than for the future. I would recommend this book to be used as a part of the course for students as it will encourage them more on what is the right things to do to control carbon emission and will help grow more responsible citizens. Bibliography Houghton, J. (2009). Global Warming: The Complete Briefing . Cambridge University Press Rowling, M. (2008, September 24). Why our climate change solutions are a mirage. Retrieved August 12, 2010, from http://www.alertnet.org/db/an_art/20316/2008/08/24-093513-1.htm Singer, S. F., & Avery, D. T. (2007). Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1,500 Years, Updated and Expanded Edition. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc Spencer, R. W. (2010). Climate Confusion: How Global Warming Hysteria Leads to Bad Science, Pandering Politicians and Misguided Policies That Hurt the Poor . Encounter Books; Reprint edition. Read More