SOLVING THE CLIMATE CRISIS

Not a polemic but a sober presentation of mitigation techniques for our most significant global threat.

Berger, a prizewinning environmental journalist and author (Beating the Heat, Climate Myths, Restoring the Earth, etc.), begins with the bad news: Around the world, millions have already died or have been sickened or displaced by climate change. The U.S., he writes, “still counts on fossil fuel for four fifth of its energy needs, and many influential politicians remain opposed to decisive action.” He presents reasonable if not completely convincing arguments that reversing climate change will not require “belt-tightening or rationing.” Rather, it will bring prosperity, increased employment, and long-term economic security. Berger emphasizes nations, mostly in Europe, that have set goals of zero carbon emissions in the coming decades and are making dramatic progress. He admits that vigorous action from American politicians is unlikely, but many blue states and even some cities are taking up the fight. The author offers admiring portraits of hardworking individual activists, and a dozen chapters describe how to reduce and ultimately eliminate greenhouse gases. The good news is that wind and solar power prices continue to fall, and battery and hydrogen technology continue to improve, so 100% clean electricity and electric cars will be viable eventually. In chapters on decarbonizing agriculture, shipping, aircraft, forestry, and dirty industries such as steel and cement production, Berger emphasizes imaginative startups, evidence that progress is slow but perhaps steady. The final 120 pages, on international efforts and suggestions for further action, are the least uplifting. Long before the Trump administration’s embrace of science denial, American leaders bluntly refused to accept international guidelines. Consequently, most international agreements are toothless. Throughout, Berger downplays complex geoengineering solutions but then devotes a long, mildly skeptical chapter to concepts such as extracting carbon dioxide from the air, giant space mirrors to block the sun, and planting a trillion trees.

A solid overview of mostly sensible tactics, some of which are succeeding.