Sustainability: All That Matters

All That Matters

by Chris Goodall

Building a sustainable society is perhaps the greatest test that the world has ever faced. Prosperity has been created by ruthless and ill-disciplined mining of the world's resources, compounded by a cavalier disregard for the implications of pollution from industrial and agricultural processes. Today's generation has borrowed from the future by grabbing prosperity now and imposing the cost on the next generation. In this startling and informative book, which will appeal to both students and general readers, award-winning writer Chris Goodall provides a coherent new explanation of what sustainability actually is. Goodall then goes onto explore nine key sustainability challenges, applying the theory of sustainability to look at food, travel, clothing, electricity, heating and cooling, paper and cardboard, construction, consumer electronics, and air travel.

Genres: Nonfiction

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2012

Reviews

[Sofia Wigren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily read and understood, great overall. Everyone should read it!
The only thing I could point out is that far too few sources were used and instead the text was based off one or two researchers.

[Ronak · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction / review of the issues the we face moving forward in creating a sustainable future.

[Kristopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick run-through of sustainability, but doesn't really offer much in the ways of improving the situation.

[Jani-Petri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and mostly enjoyable to read. I think the section on energy is too superficial and sloppy. Elsewhere in the book there is discussion on economics etc. but in the section on energy Goodall talks as if for example nuclear energy and windpower are comparable as energy sources. No discussion was to be found about wind powers reliance on fossil fuels nor about relative costs as system effects are taken not account. I am not sure if this myopic viewpoint is "forced" by the perceived need for political correctness. Pointing out the obvious might be considered too aggressive and might negate any advance one might have made in arguing for other things. However, at some point it becomes necessary to point out that Jesus will not be saving us and that we have to sort our mess here and now. If we are to cut emissions at the required rate, no plausible alternative no nuclear power exists. This is a historical fact. Only those countries building a lot of nuclear power have managed sufficient rates of decarbonization. Being silent about this might feel more ecumenical, but is irresponsible as a long term strategy.

Sections on clothing, resource constraints, food and metals were very good.

[Radiantflux · Rating 4 out of 5]

23rd book for 2016.

A really good, short, good primer on environmental sustainability. Definitely worth reading. The discussions on metals, clothing (cotton = bad! polyester, hemp = good!), energy, farming were all excellent, if short.

Take home messages:

* There are enough raw materials (energy, biomass, minerals) to give 10 billion comfortable lives (no worries about peak anything; 10 tons of steel for everyone!).

* We must decarbonize society asap. This is not only do with energy per se, but also the manufacture of steel and concrete, which are much harder to do.

* Closed-loop/cradle-to-cradle-manufacturing are essential.

* Agriculture needs to lower its impact dramatically. Ideally we would work towards a vegan society, as we can't afford to cut down more forest for food, and meat takes up way too much land for people to all eat meat at levels enjoyed in USA/Europe. Organic farms are great for avoiding negative impacts, but probably don't provide enough food for the land we have to feed everyone (not sure if this argument holds up).

[Peter Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book but well written with lots of research behind it. Goodall believes that economic growth can make a positive contribution but leaves space for disagreement. The big issues are CO2 and environmental degradation. Must find a source of hemp shirts!

[Sadiq Kazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entirely new subject, but gives a great overview about global warming, environmental degradation and the concept of sustainability.

[Emily Lunny]

This book can be confusing but held some value points pertaining to our environment.