Waking the Frog: Solutions for Our Climate Change Paralysis

by Tom Rand

Venture capitalist, entrepreneur, engineer, and philosopher Tom Rand explains why climate disruption might just be our very own pot of hot water. Are we the frog paralyzed in our inaction? In a highly readable account, Rand looks to contemporary psychology, economics, business, and finance to explain our stasis in the face of one of the most fundamental problems of our time. Waking the Frog is as much about solutions as it is an account of our present paralysis. Our ingenuity and technology can both turn down the heat and enable economic oppotunity.

Genres: Science, Environment, Nonfiction, Climate Change, Politics

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2014

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree completely in Mr. Rand's assessment of Climate Change, or to use his term, Climate Disruption. I do believe that Climate Change is primarily due to mankind's addiction to fossil fuels; and the psychological and economic mindsets are difficult to overcome. But I found no solutions from the common persons' standpoint.

I am more than willing to vote for candidates that vow to effect change, and to personally reduce the amount of carbon I put into the atmosphere. But how much change can be made in the face of multi-billion dollar corporations that can influence politics just to maintain the bottom line?
Perhaps I am just too cynical, but I see humanity continuing to fiddle while the planet burns until we pass a point of no return.

[Nile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I would have liked this book as much as I did had it not been for the last chapter. I was looking for something that would either help a regular person make a bigger difference in climate change than recycling or some information which would inspire the possibility of hope and the last chapter provides the latter which is nice. Overall the book is well researched and well written.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a no-nonsense, entrepreneurial explanation of today's climate change dilemma and how we can leverage our financial, technological and economic systems to adapt and overcome before it is too late.

Venture-capitalist Tom Rand describes the psychological and economical biases which encourage inaction on this ever-pertinent issue, poking holes in the straw-man excuses and flawed assumptions which plague the public, economic and political domains. He also explains the imperative role that big businesses must play in fueling mankind's transition by utilizing their capital, intellectual resources and economic leadership to set us on a more emissions-friendly path of development.

Rand emphatically states that of all the possible ways to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and prevent catastrophic climate change, harnessing the power of the global economic market by putting a price on carbon is the fundamental first step. This action incentivizes carbon-friendly development across nations and industries, rewarding the most sustainable organizations and discouraging the fossil-fuel heavy development of the global economy. He lays out several different options for implementing such a price, but is adamant that such a tool, coupled with other green-friendly incentives and investments, can give the US and Canadian economies the kick-start they need to urgently address and mitigate the effects of man-made climate change.

For such a highly politicized topic, Rand's entrepreneurial spirit and pragmatic analysis of the realities of rising carbon levels and macroeconomic solutions make for a refreshing, informative and hard-hitting read. In spite of the potentially-catastrophic climate challenge before us, Rand remains cautiously optimistic if we harness the technology and finances at our current disposal, and tweak the rules of our globalized economic system to favour the carbon-friendly, we can swiftly set ourselves on a path of long-term survival and "awaken the frog" before ignorance and inertia boil it (mankind) to death.

[Katarina Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative and inspiring book that gives hope (in realistic terms) to the most pressing challenge for humans in the 21st century. From outlining the reasons for inaction on climate change to the achievable methods of averting disaster Tom Rand provides clarity on how we got to where we are and how we can move forward.

I remember doing a project on Global Warming in Grade 8. I recall being happy that the world was taking action on this incredibly important issue to secure a safe future for me and my children. Thirteen years later we're not where I'd hoped we'd be but we still have a chance to preserve the life and wealth we've enjoyed up to this point and thank goodness some leaders are finally stepping up to the plate.

I leave you with the final quote from this book which succinctly sums up the human condition when facing any and all challenges.

"We are not masters of our domain unless we are first masters of ourselves." pg. 208

[Donna Schubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved reading this book found it very interesting

[Bob Walterhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling call to action to save the world for future generations, and why we need to start right now. A must read.

[Ruth Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stuff. But a bit too technical on the economics side for me.

[Mesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read - Buy copies for any Climate Change deniers you know - It's straight forward and easily understood, with a Canadian perspective.