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Humanity’s Eleventh Hour: Planetary Stewardship and the Race to Safeguard Our Future
Humanity’s Eleventh Hour is a sweeping, urgent, and poetic reckoning with the planetary crisis we can no longer ignore. Blending the precision of science with the elegance of literary prose, Fernando Acosta takes readers on an odyssey through deep time—from Earth’s fiery beginnings and the dawn of life to the precipice of ecological collapse where we now stand.
In this meticulously researched and soul-stirring narrative, Acosta dismantles the illusion that human progress is without consequence. Drawing on history, climate science, geology, and philosophy, he reveals how our species—though a recent arrival in the planetary timeline—has become a force powerful enough to reshape the biosphere, rewrite evolutionary destinies, and tip the balance of Earth’s finely tuned systems. With striking clarity, he exposes the human fingerprints on climate disruption, extinctions, and the slow collapse of ecosystems under the weight of pollution and habitat loss.
Yet this is not a book of despair. It is a call to consciousness. A rallying cry for planetary stewardship in our shared “eleventh hour.” Acosta challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths while reigniting a sense of wonder and responsibility toward the only home we have ever known.
For readers of Carl Sagan, Rachel Carson, Elizabeth Kolbert, or Yuval Noah Harari, Humanity’s Eleventh Hour is both a warning and a luminous to look beyond the distractions of daily life, to reclaim our role as caretakers of a fragile Earth, and to act—urgently, wisely, and together.
We are not merely inhabitants of this planet. We are its architects, its witnesses—and its last hope.
In this meticulously researched and soul-stirring narrative, Acosta dismantles the illusion that human progress is without consequence. Drawing on history, climate science, geology, and philosophy, he reveals how our species—though a recent arrival in the planetary timeline—has become a force powerful enough to reshape the biosphere, rewrite evolutionary destinies, and tip the balance of Earth’s finely tuned systems. With striking clarity, he exposes the human fingerprints on climate disruption, extinctions, and the slow collapse of ecosystems under the weight of pollution and habitat loss.
Yet this is not a book of despair. It is a call to consciousness. A rallying cry for planetary stewardship in our shared “eleventh hour.” Acosta challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths while reigniting a sense of wonder and responsibility toward the only home we have ever known.
For readers of Carl Sagan, Rachel Carson, Elizabeth Kolbert, or Yuval Noah Harari, Humanity’s Eleventh Hour is both a warning and a luminous to look beyond the distractions of daily life, to reclaim our role as caretakers of a fragile Earth, and to act—urgently, wisely, and together.
We are not merely inhabitants of this planet. We are its architects, its witnesses—and its last hope.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2025
27 people are currently reading
1547 people want to read
About the author
Fernando Acosta Barriga
3 books20 followersFernando Acosta is a mining and industrial engineer, economist, and writer with a passion for exploring how the natural world—especially metals and minerals—has shaped human history, from deep geological time to the urgent demands of today’s energy transition.
Born in Chile, Fernando has spent the past two decades working at the crossroads of mining, finance, public policy, and sustainability. He currently serves as Director of Economics and Environment at the International Copper Study Group, supporting 26 countries and the European Union as they navigate the evolving dynamics of the global metals market. His writing seeks to make complex issues accessible to curious minds interested in geology, climate, and our shared future.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Fernando loves football, rugby, and being outdoors. He’s an avid traveller who thrives on learning from different cultures, a devoted animal lover, and a wide-ranging reader—drawn to everything from Kafka to Jared Diamond and Rachel Carson. His dog is his best friend and most loyal editor.
Born in Chile, Fernando has spent the past two decades working at the crossroads of mining, finance, public policy, and sustainability. He currently serves as Director of Economics and Environment at the International Copper Study Group, supporting 26 countries and the European Union as they navigate the evolving dynamics of the global metals market. His writing seeks to make complex issues accessible to curious minds interested in geology, climate, and our shared future.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Fernando loves football, rugby, and being outdoors. He’s an avid traveller who thrives on learning from different cultures, a devoted animal lover, and a wide-ranging reader—drawn to everything from Kafka to Jared Diamond and Rachel Carson. His dog is his best friend and most loyal editor.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 19, 2025
This book reviews humanity's development and relationship with the Earth and the environment. With a wealth of information about the history of humanity and how we have interacted with our environment, the book combines history, climate science, and discussions about the philosophical and moral implications of our actions. It provides numerous interesting cases, examples and figures to size our impact in the Earth's health and provides intelligent arguments to question how we face the current challenges related to the climate and our own relationships as a civilization.
Fernando Acosta provides a systematic and well informed account of the history of our species, comparable with other popular science authors.
An easy to read book with short chapters that touch on different aspects of environmental science and climate change, as well as "In brief" boxed sections that provide side stories to illustrate the topics, make for a fun and interesting read. Highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about this important subject.
Fernando Acosta provides a systematic and well informed account of the history of our species, comparable with other popular science authors.
An easy to read book with short chapters that touch on different aspects of environmental science and climate change, as well as "In brief" boxed sections that provide side stories to illustrate the topics, make for a fun and interesting read. Highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about this important subject.
August 29, 2025
disclaimer: I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
This is an intriguing read. the first few chapters didn't seem to have a logical plan, but it got better as it went on. The author demonstrates how humans have impacted the planet, especially in recent times, prompting some scientists to declare that the earth has entered an "Anthropocene" geological epoch in which humans have become the dominant force leaving an imprint on the geological record.
He goes through such issues such as oil, lead, and plastic and their impacts, along with deforestation and species extinction. There is a lot of good information here about the climate crisis.
There really is no good solution here. The author shows how different forms of "clean" energy have their own drawbacks on the environment.
Excellent read with a lot of good points. Climate change is not a hoax.
This is an intriguing read. the first few chapters didn't seem to have a logical plan, but it got better as it went on. The author demonstrates how humans have impacted the planet, especially in recent times, prompting some scientists to declare that the earth has entered an "Anthropocene" geological epoch in which humans have become the dominant force leaving an imprint on the geological record.
He goes through such issues such as oil, lead, and plastic and their impacts, along with deforestation and species extinction. There is a lot of good information here about the climate crisis.
There really is no good solution here. The author shows how different forms of "clean" energy have their own drawbacks on the environment.
Excellent read with a lot of good points. Climate change is not a hoax.
May 26, 2025
I came across HUMANITY’S ELEVENTH HOUR: Planetary Stewardship and the Race to Safeguard Our Future by chance while searching for new bibliography on climate change — and I’m very glad I did. The book is well-written, accessible, and offers a refreshing historical perspective on the environmental challenges we face today.
I learned a lot from its clear analysis and found myself reflecting deeply on the themes of planetary stewardship. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.
I learned a lot from its clear analysis and found myself reflecting deeply on the themes of planetary stewardship. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.
October 16, 2025
I have always been very interested in the subject of taking care of our world. This book addresses all factors that go into that but for me, it was too much information sometimes. I was looking for straight forward talk about global warming and animal extinction for examples but was a bit overwhelmed by all the statistics and charts. Also I felt like it touched on possible things we could do but not really in any individual way.
August 7, 2025
Grossly engaging, devastating. 4.25
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews