Solvable: How We Healed the Earth, and How We Can Do It Again

by Susan Solomon

A compelling and pragmatic solutions to yesterday’s environmental problems reveal today’s path forward.
 
We solved planet-threatening problems before, Susan Solomon argues, and we can do it again. Solomon knows firsthand what those solutions entail. She first gained international fame as the leader of an expedition to Antarctica in 1986, making discoveries that were key to healing the damaged ozone layer. She saw a path—from scientific and public awareness to political engagement, international agreement, industry involvement, and effective action. Solomon, an atmospheric scientist and award-winning author, connects this career-defining triumph to the inside stories of other past environmental victories—against ozone depletion, smog, pesticides, and lead—to extract the essential elements of what makes change possible. 

The path to success begins when an environmental problem becomes both personal and perceptible to the general public. Lawmakers, diplomats, industries, and international agencies respond to popular momentum, and effective change takes place in tandem with consumer pressure when legislation and regulation yield practical solutions. Healing the planet is a long game won not by fear and panic, but with pragmatic maneuvering fueled by public, economic, and regulatory pressure.

Solvable is a book for anyone who has ever despaired about the climate crisis. As Solomon reminds us, doom and gloom get us nowhere, and idealism will only take us so far. The heroes in these stories range from angry mothers to gang members turned social activists, to upset Long Island bird watchers, to iconoclastic scientists (often women), to brilliant legislative craftsmen. Solomon’s authoritative point of view is an inspiration, a reality check, a road map, and a much-needed dose of realism. The problems facing our planet are Solvable . Solomon shows us how.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment, Science, Sustainability

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate what this book is trying to do: give one hope in this changing world. To most people, the climate crisis feels quite hopeless. In this book the author tries to give examples of situations where things seem to go the right way, or have been slowly healing again.

The chapters are on interesting topics like the hole in the ozon layer (I remember that being a serious thing when I was younger, but I haven't heard about it for a while), pesticide use and climate change. The writing is smooth and easy to read for me. There is the right amount of information, chapters are not too short or too long. Included in the chapters are some photos and images, which is a fun addition.

While I agree that we must keep hope, and that some things are changing for the better, it's still very difficult to remain positive. The author acknowledges this, I am happy that this book is not just saying: think happy thoughts and all will be better.

In all, a good informative book. There are other books out there that treat similar topics with a similar view, so it's not completely novel.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions.

[Kylie Akiyama · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book! but not great to read the day Trump withdraws the US from the Paris accords

[Linnea Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history of how environmental problems have been solved in the past through the combined efforts of scientists, grass roots movements, and wise and skilled politicians . Reading this gave me hope that science and concerned citizens will prevail before it is too late, despite the current turn of events, which if nothing else stir some of us to action.

Some key take-aways. It was fascinating to read a history of times I’ve mostly lived through, some of
which I vividly remember and others have me wondering “where was I?” 1. Edmund Muskie — what an unsung hero, bringing EPA and other government agencies to approval. 2. The heroic scientists who stuck to their research and the search for truth even when they were shunned and ridiculed and their research often led them in unexpected directions. Claire Patterson who set out to determine the age of the earth by carbon sampling ended in up on the forefront of proving the increasing prevalence of lead and other materials in our environment since the Industrial Revolution. Read it! Especially if you need a dose of hope. So interesting to learn all the forces that come together to finally create change!

Written by a scientist who was key to figuring out the ozone hole and how to solve the problem. My respect for scientists and lay people who have formed some unusual coalitions to bring about change to save the earth and all of its inhabitants, not just humans, gives me hope and faith that good and truth will eventually prevail.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In another time I think I would have felt more optimistic after reading this book, as Solomon does a great job providing a detailed and vivid history of several climate-based tragedies that were ultimately averted. She uses these past experiences, ultimately, to argue that climate change itself is also a problem that we still have the capacity to fix. And her background as a chemist certainly gives her the authority to do so. All of this said, what was depressing about the book was thinking about the upcoming administration and the likelihood that they will follow through on all of these necessary measures. As I'm very pessimistic that will happen, especially in light of the pro-AI and crypto stances the administration already espouses, my hunch is that this book will be more of a "what could have been" account. (As a side note, I was surprised that I thought the reverse chronology of the book ultimately worked. It was sometimes distracting to be reintroduced to people who had already appeared in earlier chapters, but I think the decision to write it this way allowed the author the opportunity to quickly insert herself into the narrative and it also helps each chapter stand alone better.)

[Tom Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read indeed, and some rational, evidence-based optimism which is especially welcome in these most threatening of times for our planet and geopolitics. I learned a lot about the successes on lead, on DDT, on CFCs, and I am persuaded by the common underpinnings of success that the author draws out. The 'but' is the sheer scale of the CO2 challenge, the sheer scale of the vested interests, and the massive complexities of the developed vs the developing world (which are acknowledged, but with perhaps a little less optimism-inspiring evidence ...) But all in all, I'm glad to have read this and got to know this deeply admirable person.

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely terrific book in a very difficult genre: science for regular people. Solomon walks us through bad environmental problems in the near past, and how they were solved. Her writing is clear, friendly, amusing where appropriate, and approachable. We can picture the human side of discovery and negotiation: this is powerful, because it enables us to also picture we regular humans solving the big environmental problems we’ve gotten ourselves into today. It’s fundamentally an optimistic conclusion, which is quite refreshing!
The book is not dogmatic or political. Instead, it reads as common sense, which is a testament to the depth of Solomon’s knowledge, and the clarity of her thinking.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough and optimistic review of environmental science and politics. Covers a wide range of issues (smog, lead, climate change, etc) and reveals the themes that connect them.

A few key points from the book:
(1) the public responds to environmental problems when they are personal, perceptible, and the solutions practical.
(2) “weaponization of uncertainty” and “true but irrelevant claims” are heavily utilized by those who seek to discredit scientific research.
(3) there are no angels or devils when it comes to environmental solutions. Follow the money and see where it goes.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sit in on lectures given by en eminent scientist, read this book!

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Six Degrees and with the current political environment, the climate crisis seems disappointily here to stay. However this book presented several instances where communities, courts, and politicians came together to combat and environmental issues. It created a bit of hope for the impending doom. However I would be curious to get an update from the author with the current political climate.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work and teach in this field and yet learned so much from this book — the best that I’ve read in this genre. Susan Solomon is one of the world’s leading experts on ozone and climate change, and also covers air pollution, lead, and pesticides in this book. She shares her insights on how we have solved our could solve each of those challenges, with clear prose backed up with thorough research.

[Jacquelyn Casazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a terrific, uplifting and fact filled book about solving environmental challenges. A great book to close out the year! It gives me hope for the future. The author has a really nice way of presenting scientific information but also keeping the book readable, even throwing in bits of humor here and there. Highly recommend for anyone who cares about the planet - we can do something!!!

[Cole Conte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A scientific but not overly dense presentation of how we solved some of the world’s major climate crises. Informative, but didn’t persuade me that we’ll solve this one in time

[Julia Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solomon offers a refreshing perspective on tackling climate change by highlighting historical anecdotes, scientific explanations, and personal stories to make complex environmental issues—such as the depletion of the ozone layer, smog, and the widespread use of lead and pesticides—accessible and engaging. As someone who tends to spiral because of the doom-and gloom of climate change, I appreciated her positive outlook. I only wish her last chapter were a little more compelling.