The Carbon Cycle: Crossing the Great Divide

by Kate Rawles

Kate Rawles sets out to discover about global warming the hard way -- Michael Palin, author of Around the World in 80 Days and Pole to Pole A wonderfully rich and insightful narrative ... an extraordinarily revealing series of vignettes. Kates workaday belief that the principal purpose of philosophy is to question the assumptions of our age keeps even her most abstract reflections grounded in an admirable way. -- Jonathon Porritt, author of Capitalism as if the World Matters In 2006 outdoor philosopher Kate Rawles cycled 4553 miles from Texas to Alaska, following the spine of the Rocky Mountains as closely as possible. Cycling across unforgiving but starkly beautiful landscapes in both the United States and Canada deserts, high mountain passes, glaciers and eventually down to the sea she encountered bears, wolves, moose, cliff-swallows, aspens and a single, astonishing lynx. Along the way, she talked to North Americans about climate change from truck drivers to politicians to find out what they knew about it, whether they cared, and if they did, what they thought they could do. Kate tells the story of a trip in which she has to deal with the rigours of cycling for ten hours a day in temperatures often in excess of 100° F, fighting punctures, endless repairs and inescapable, grinding fatigue . But in recounting the physical struggle of such a journey, she also does constant battle with her own ideas and assumptions, helping us to cross the great divide between where we are on climate change and where we need to be. Can we tackle climate change while still keeping our modern Western lifestyles intact? Should we put biofuel in our camper vans and RVs? Or do we need much deeper shifts in lifestyles, values and worldviews?

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction, Environment, Adventure, Travel

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

Reviews

[Martha☀]

Rawles rides her bike north from the US-Mexico border, along the Continental Divide into Canada and then through Alaska. She tries to make this personal journey (for her own pleasure) into a cause.

As she rolls along, she prods gas station attendants, fellow travelers, restaurant staff, etc. with questions about Global Warming, Climate Change or simply the weather trends they've noticed. Afterwards she analyses the interaction and categorizes the response into either 'ignoramus' or 'intellectual'.

Mostly this book is an excuse to vaunt her own vast knowledge about the world and to denigrate the intelligence of the common man. The pattern continues for a few hundred pages.

Even though I love reading (and having) a good bikepacking adventure and I'm very interested in Climate Change, she managed to make her trip sound boring and to make me feel that I don't know enough about the Earth to make a difference in the warming I see all around me. Dull and belittling.

The worst part is that she extols all the evils of car and plane travel, hotels, and the carbon footprint that we all have - yet she stays in fancy hotels, travels by plane to visit a friend on their 100+ acre property and indulges in all sorts of negative carbon footprint practices along the way.

I gave it a good try for 80 pages, then flipped forward to the British Columbia section (where I have hiked, mountain biked and distance bikepacked), thinking it would capture my attention, but still couldn't be bothered to finish.

[Donald Urquhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely riveting. Whilst it challenges the US about its (non) approach to climate change, there are significant parallels for the UK and Europe and, when when read as a keen cyclist, it raises some very serious issues. This was a trip embarked on in 2006 and today, eight years on, have we made any significant progress? No! As Kate Rawls states, we are on a slippery slope and, as we gather downward momentum, we may not be able to stop ourselves and reverse back up.

[Sage Borgmastars · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting journey on bike from Texas to Alaska and I enjoyed her experience of the American landscape. However her message and insights into the climate crisis and how she went about trying to take a sample of the American attitude toward this left me a little cold. I wanted to see them to the end, but I would most likely not re-read.

[Gráinne · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book about a trip undertaken to understand perceptions and raise awareness of climate change, I found the author surprisingly uninformed on her topic or the places through which she would ride. Littered throughout this book are opportunities to talk to people who could enlighten and provide insights missed in favour of catching up with friends.

As a book about a physical achievement (I.e. completing the cycle) I found it a good read, but the self righteousness linked to a vague understanding of climate change grated. The lowest point being the authors decision to attend a party with friends which required two-round trips in a private plane - in a book about climate change this decision was baffling!

[Marty Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable reading and quite the cycling accomplishment. Sadly, the underlying global warming theme of the book seems, now, somewhat dated. Our world has given up on combating it and is now half-heartedly attempting to live with it's consequences, lumping it in with wealth disparity, racism and the occasional pandemic as just one of those things.

[Scott Lichtenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dated now but really enjoyed it. A great combination of road trip and thoughts about the early days of environmental awareness. You wonder how much has changed pre C-19.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the concept and many parts of the book, but I also found it difficult to like the author. She comes across as a bit elitist and "preachy" - a struggle to finish the book. I can't imagine someone only half interested in learning about climate change would be inclined to finish this book. I'm quite interested and had a difficult time finishing! Overall it is probably still worth the read and the end message is clear - we MUST act now if we are to save our planet.

[Keith Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

very scary how ignorant folks are about environment, warming. I found I liked book more the more I read

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled me with both fear and hope. An adventure with a huge twist

[Chris Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent cycling adventure story. Thought-provoking as well.