Reckless: The Political Assault on the American Environment

by Bob Deans, Robert Redford (Foreword)

Republicans regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 at a time of unprecedented global challenge and change. Instead of devoting the next year to embracing opportunity amid turmoil, though, the lawmakers waged the worst legislative assault in history against the commonsense safeguards we all depend on to protect our environment and health. In a single calendar year, the Republican-led House voted nearly 200 times to weaken, block, or delay needed measures that defend our air, water, wildlife, and lands. This book tells the story of that misguided campaign, how it put our nation at risk, and where we need to go from here, for the sake of Americans everywhere, for the sake of our children's future.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Christopher Obert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book’s subtitle is “The Political Assault on the American Environment” and talks about the attack on, and easing of, the EPA policies that protect the environment. You would think that the book would make the reader very angry. And it did make me very angry! But not for the reason you would think. While I agree that the protection of the environment is one of the most important roles of government; I feel that the main goal of the book may be political not environmental! I have no doubt that the Republican Party is currently attacking environmental policy; but I find that the Democrats are equally to blame for the problems, economic and environmental, facing our country today. It seems to me to be hypocritical and downright dishonest to use the environment to score political points. I do not know if the author (who I have met and who seems to be a nice and sincere guy), while writing this book, did this on purpose or by accident. I am hoping the latter. I strongly agree with the author that the environment has to be protected and that this has to be part of the accepted business landscape but I feel that this will never happen while both political parties care more about political power rather than doing what is right (and good) for the country. I believe that the most important message in the book (found on page 92) is spoken by Lawrence Lessig, who states “Our Congress is politically bankrupt… our government doesn’t track the will of the people… power rests elsewhere”. Hopefully “power” will be restored to We the People, who believe in sound environmental and political policy, soon!

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following his 2007 debut, "The River Where America Began: A Journey Along the James," Deans focuses his historian’s lens on the degradation of environmental protections seen since 2010, when Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives. Taking note of contemporary shifts in the Republican Party, spurred by Tea Party candidates and corporate campaign contributions, he contrasts the recent environmental assault from the right with the significant environmental regulations supported by past conservative presidents. Looking at threats to the land and the sea, Deans’ research exposes the influence of lobbyists and campaign supporters on voting outcomes. He cites multiple instances when public health and environmental protections lost out to corporate interests, like in West Virginia, where coal mining pollutes Appalachian streams, or in the Chesapeake Bay, where agricultural and other run-off disturbs fisheries.

The strength in Deans’ work emerges when he debunks the false claim that a healthy economy is hampered by environmental regulation; in fact, he argues cogently that such regulations save money, promote growth, and increase competitiveness. At times Deans’ tone is distracting as he shifts from a formal to a more conversational one. Despite this inconsistency, along with some text that begs for graphic illustration, Deans succeeds in standing up “to the influence of money in politics” [99] and in issuing a fact-filled call for a better land upheld by bipartisan support.