This book addresses urban ecology, green technology, problems with climate change prediction, groundwater contamination, invasive species and many other topics, and offers a guardedly optimistic interpretation of humanity's place in nature and our unique caretaker role. Drawing upon scholarly and media sources, the author presents a common-sense analysis of environmental science, debunking eco-apocalyptic thinking along the way. Compromised science masquerading as authoritative is revealed as a fundraising and policy-influencing crusade by the environmental elite, overshadowing unambiguous problems like environmental racism.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • In this urgent, authoritative book, Bill Gates sets out a wide-ranging, practical—and accessible—plan for how the world can get to zero greenhouse gas emissions in time to avoid a climate catastrophe. Bill Gates has spent a decade investigating the causes and effects of climate change. With the help of experts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, political science, and finance, he has focused on what must be done in order to stop the planet's slide to certain environmental disaster. In this book, he not only explains why we need to work toward net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases, but also details what we need to do to achieve this profoundly important goal. He gives us a clear-eyed description of the challenges we face. Drawing on his understanding of innovation and what it takes to get new ideas into the market, he describes the areas in which technology is already helping to reduce emissions, where and how the current technology can be made to function more effectively, where breakthrough technologies are needed, and who is working on these essential innovations. Finally, he lays out a concrete, practical plan for achieving the goal of zero emissions—suggesting not only policies that governments should adopt, but what we as individuals can do to keep our government, our employers, and ourselves accountable in this crucial enterprise. As Bill Gates makes clear, achieving zero emissions will not be simple or easy to do, but if we follow the plan he sets out here, it is a goal firmly within our reach.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a summary and analysis of the book and not the original book. SNAP Summaries is wholly responsible for this content and is not associated with the original author in any way. If you are the author, publisher, or representative of the original work, please contact info[at]snapsummaries[dot]com with any questions or concerns. If you'd like to purchase the original book, please paste this link in your browser: https://amzn.to/3jEcpI7 In Apocalypse Never, environmental journalist and activist Michael Shellenberger challenges claims of an imminent climate catastrophe and offers practical solutions to some of the most pressing environmental problems today. What does this SNAP Summary Include? - Synopsis of the original book - Key takeaways from each chapter - Why current climate trends give us more reason to be hopeful than fearful - How economic growth and other counterintuitive solutions are the key to saving Earth - Editorial Review - Background on Michael Shellenberger About the Original Book: A lot of what the media and environmental activists tell us about climate and the environment, Shellenberger contends, is grossly exaggerated and in desperate need of being corrected. Global warming is not going to cause an apocalypse in 2030 or any other year, plastics are not that bad, and renewable energy is not really cheaper or better for the environment. Drawing from the latest scientific studies and his experiences travelling the world and researching environmental issues, Shellenberger sets the record straight and explains how accelerating technological advances and economic growth is the key to halting and reversing adverse climate and environmental trends. DISCLAIMER: This book is intended as a companion to, not a replacement for, Apocalypse Never. SNAP Summaries is wholly responsible for this content and is not associated with the original author in any way. If you are the author, publisher, or representative of the original work, please contact info[at]snapsummaries.com with any questions or concerns. Please follow this link: https://amzn.to/3jEcpI7 to purchase a copy of the original book.
How donors change the world through the six catalytic practices of high-impact philanthropy Do More Than Give provides a blueprint for individuals, philanthropists, and foundation leaders to increase their impact. Based on Forces for Good, this groundbreaking book demonstrates how the six practices of high-impact nonprofits apply to donors aiming to advance social causes. Rather than focus on the mechanics of effective grantmaking, reporting, or evaluation, this book instead proposes that donors can become proactive catalysts for change by rising to meet the challenges of our increasingly interdependent world. Key principles include: going beyond check writing/traditional volunteering; advocating for change; leveraging business; forging peer networks; empowering individuals; leading adaptively; and developing learning organizations. Contains robust case studies depicting every type of philanthropy (corporate, community, operating, specialized, and large private and family foundations) Includes easy to use "Key Takeaways" tailored for donors at the "beginner" and "experienced" levels of catalytic philanthropy Authors are internationally-acclaimed philanthropic, nonprofit, and corporate social responsibility strategy experts who frequently speak and train on high-impact philanthropy In good economic times or bad, this book provides guidance for givers to increase the impact of their charitable resources and go beyond check-writing to help solve problems and change the world.
“In the heart of this world, the Lord of life, who loves us so much, is always present. He does not abandon us, he does not leave us alone, for he has united himself definitively to our earth, and his love constantly impels us to find new ways forward. Praise be to him!” – Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ In his second encyclical, Laudato Si’: On the Care of Our Common Home, Pope Francis draws all Christians into a dialogue with every person on the planet about our common home. We as human beings are united by the concern for our planet, and every living thing that dwells on it, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. Pope Francis’ letter joins the body of the Church’s social and moral teaching, draws on the best scientific research, providing the foundation for “the ethical and spiritual itinerary that follows.” Laudato Si’ outlines: The current state of our “common home” The Gospel message as seen through creation The human causes of the ecological crisis Ecology and the common good Pope Francis’ call to action for each of us Our Sunday Visitor has included discussion questions, making it perfect for individual or group study, leading all Catholics and Christians into a deeper understanding of the importance of this teaching.
As federal cutbacks in the 1980s created a gap in environmental policy, a new brand of policy -- civic environmentalism -- emerged as states and communities stepped up their efforts to protect the environment. Three case studies illustrate civic environmentalism: Iowa's protection of groundwater from agricultural pollution -- the Everglades cleanup -- and energy conservation in Colorado.
In Quantified, Whitworth draws lessons from the world's most tech-savvy, high-impact organizations to show how we can make real gains for the environment. The principles of his approach, dubbed quantified conservation, will be familiar to any thriving entrepreneur: situational awareness, bold outcomes, innovation and technology, data and analytics, and gain-focused investment. As President of The Freshwater Trust, Whitworth has put quantified conservation into practice, pioneering the model of a "do-tank" that is dramatically changing how rivers can get restored across the United States. The stories in Quantified highlight the most precious of resources--water--but they apply to any environmental effort. Whether in the realm of policy, agriculture, business, or philanthropy, Whitworth is charting a new course for conservation.
His powerful new book looks set to be his most influential yet: Whole Earth Discipline is a hand grenade aimed at the very movement he helped to found.
Nautilus Book Award Winner: An “engagingly written” behavioral science-based guide to tackling our urgent environmental problems (Robert B. Cialdini, author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion). To create a sustainable future and achieve positive, durable change, we must design solutions based directly on how people think, make decisions, and act. From hotels that save water (and money) using simple signage to energy suppliers that boost participation in renewable energy programs through mere enrollment-form tweaks, it’s clear that shifting the behavior of millions for the better is possible. Based on decades of research into what drives behavior change, Making Shift Happen provides a suite of powerful tools to transform the world. It features A-to-Z guidance on how to design a behavior change initiative—from choosing the right audience and uncovering what drives their behavior to designing, prototyping, testing, and implementation. Clear instructions and real-world examples empower you to apply hundreds of behavioral science solutions including: Using social norms to spread positive environmental behaviors Selecting and testing stories, metaphors, and values to frame information for each audience Catalyzing action by aligning your initiative with your audience’s personal and social motivators Breaking bad habits and building positive ones Capturing your audience’s attention and reducing barriers to action Connecting people with nature and building empathy for the environment and its inhabitants Making Shift Happen is a must-have guide for practitioners in non-profits, governments, and businesses looking to design successful campaigns and initiatives that shift behaviors and mindsets toward positive environmental outcomes and a better future for all. “Completely fascinating—we’ve learned a lot about the ways minds work in the last decades and that may help us figure out how to appeal to our better angels more effectively than in the past. Rest assured that people who want to sell us junk are paying attention to these insights—the rest of us better do so too!” —Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature
