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The Bridge at the Edge of the World
Book by Speth, James Gustave
476 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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November 29, 2016
I have identified a sub-genre of book to be found in non-fiction; warnings of the impending environmental, largely climate-driven, crisis written by men who have been involved in the green movement in an academic and/or activist capacity for at least thirty years. Such books seek to cover very wide ground, begin with alarming descriptions of disaster to come, then segue into the prospects of solutions. They tend to end on a cautiously optimistic note, on the grounds that fatalism gets you nowhere, placing hope on the younger generation.
I find such books very interesting and have been contemplating their differences. 'Whole Earth Discipline' by Stewart Brand is the strongest example of technological optimism. 'The Long Descent' by John Michael Greer displays a very different focus, on the personal responses needed. In his turn, James Gustave Speth emphasises the institutional solutions to environmental crisis, placing particular importance upon overcoming the political and cultural obsession with economic growth. Whilst reading each of these books, and others that are less memorable at the moment but cover similar ground, it is easy to agree with them. Some aspects of their ideas reinforce one another, in other ways their relative emphases are contradictory. I firmly believe that all three approaches, and any others I come across, are worth reading to get as full a view as possible. Apart from anything else, this is a good way to uncover the various fascinating paradoxes of humanity versus climate change.
The problem with doing so is that all of these books begin with very much the same description of the terrifying scale of climate change and environmental degradation. As a result, I am ashamed to admit that the first 80 pages or so of 'The Bridge at the Edge of the World' bored me. The prospect of civilisation as we know it collapsing has been described far more engagingly elsewhere. Nonetheless, once Speth moved onto his main theme of the pursuit of economic growth as antithetical to environmental sustainability of even the weakest sort, the book became a lot more interesting. I don't think that his critique is necessarily very original, but it is well-expressed and thoroughly referenced. (On this basis, I'm thinking of recommending it to the undergraduates that I teach.)
What strikes me as common to all books suggesting a systematic, successful response to climate change and other environmental problems is the necessity of cultural change. Every such book has mentioned this to some extent, yet it appears to remain an under-researched and mysterious area. Possibly because it doesn't fit comfortably with economics, current king of the social sciences? Even behavioural economics remains resolutely micro, concerned with individual decisions rather than collective behaviour.
Tangents aside, this book is a worthy addition to its canon. It may lack the easy style of some others (Stewart Brand for instance), but it summarises heterodox economics and the problematic elements of corporations very effectively. It is also very America-centric, as all such books seem to be. I posit that the forces arrayed against climate change campaigners in the US seem so intractable and depressing that the only rational response is to take a sabbatical and write a book.
I find such books very interesting and have been contemplating their differences. 'Whole Earth Discipline' by Stewart Brand is the strongest example of technological optimism. 'The Long Descent' by John Michael Greer displays a very different focus, on the personal responses needed. In his turn, James Gustave Speth emphasises the institutional solutions to environmental crisis, placing particular importance upon overcoming the political and cultural obsession with economic growth. Whilst reading each of these books, and others that are less memorable at the moment but cover similar ground, it is easy to agree with them. Some aspects of their ideas reinforce one another, in other ways their relative emphases are contradictory. I firmly believe that all three approaches, and any others I come across, are worth reading to get as full a view as possible. Apart from anything else, this is a good way to uncover the various fascinating paradoxes of humanity versus climate change.
The problem with doing so is that all of these books begin with very much the same description of the terrifying scale of climate change and environmental degradation. As a result, I am ashamed to admit that the first 80 pages or so of 'The Bridge at the Edge of the World' bored me. The prospect of civilisation as we know it collapsing has been described far more engagingly elsewhere. Nonetheless, once Speth moved onto his main theme of the pursuit of economic growth as antithetical to environmental sustainability of even the weakest sort, the book became a lot more interesting. I don't think that his critique is necessarily very original, but it is well-expressed and thoroughly referenced. (On this basis, I'm thinking of recommending it to the undergraduates that I teach.)
What strikes me as common to all books suggesting a systematic, successful response to climate change and other environmental problems is the necessity of cultural change. Every such book has mentioned this to some extent, yet it appears to remain an under-researched and mysterious area. Possibly because it doesn't fit comfortably with economics, current king of the social sciences? Even behavioural economics remains resolutely micro, concerned with individual decisions rather than collective behaviour.
Tangents aside, this book is a worthy addition to its canon. It may lack the easy style of some others (Stewart Brand for instance), but it summarises heterodox economics and the problematic elements of corporations very effectively. It is also very America-centric, as all such books seem to be. I posit that the forces arrayed against climate change campaigners in the US seem so intractable and depressing that the only rational response is to take a sabbatical and write a book.
July 9, 2009
Why I Read this Book: I’ve always made it a priority to stay up to date on major world and environmental issues. This sums up some things we might want to be thinking (and worrying) about.
Topics Covered:
* Environmental Consciousness
* Environmental Degradation
* Global Warming
* Going Green
Review:
My mind was racing as soon as I finished the first chapter. It was almost painful. It was not a feeling of excitement that I get from many of the books I review, but instead a heavy feeling of responsibility. If I had to quickly sum it up, Speth’s thesis is as follows: as a result of an incredible desire to grow and consume as a country, an economy and a planet, our world is heading down a very dangerous path to environmental destruction, and the time is right this second to start doing something about it. I know it sounds extreme but you won’t believe the intensity of the statistics regarding population growth, fresh water use, polution, vehicle use, climate changes, temperature increase, and the list goes on. One thing is for sure. The author has done his research. It must have taken him years to put this together.
My good mate from Dubai was out visiting a few weeks back and gave me this book as a gift. He said it had a profound effect on him and felt it was his duty to offer me the same experience. I’m not sure whether to thank him or not… What a gift. As I read through the staggering statistics of how we are using, growing and consuming much too fast for our own good, I felt this massive call to action. The last time I really felt this way from a global perspective was after reading Thomas Friedman’s, The World is Flat a number of years ago. The only difference was that back then the call to action felt more like motivation to be as great as we (the U.S.) have been in the years and decades past. I was inspired, by both fear and excitement, to be better. Speth has taken more the approach of extreme fear and guilt to encourage action and I think he’s done it. From what I’ve heard, Friedman’s newest book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded takes a much more drastic approach as Speth has here. Be expecting a review on that shortly.
As the book reads, Speth begins with the major problems and potential upcoming disasters of the environment to get the reader legitimately frightened. He then covers some of the key causes to give the reader some understanding, and finally closes with some thoughtful approaches on what can be done about it to give the reader some action steps. The layout seemed to flow well, although for most of the book I kept thinking to myself, what the heck can I, as one person, do about these major issues. To my satisfaction, those ideas were eventually covered.
Something specific that stood out to me was the blame that he has put on modern day capitalism. As wonderful as capitalism has been as a tool to inspire great financial success and unparalleled innovation, it has left some terrible undoing in the dust. We have become so focused on economic growth at absolutely any cost that Corporate America has sacrificed the very thing that keeps it alive, mother earth. I must say it’s hard to blame them given the world is shoulder deep in a race to see who can be the biggest and the strongest, but it’s still no excuse. It’s a global issue and should be approached that way. There are so many standards for how a corporation operates and recognizes profits but there has been next to no accountability for the wake of their environmental impact.
Speth’s point is that as much as our current definition of capitalism has done for our country and world, it is glaringly clear that this same form of capitalism is anything but sustainable in the future. He then goes on to propose the shifts that should and need to be made in order to keep our quest for growth from destroying what makes life worth living–clean air, fresh water, a healthy family and so many other things we take for granted.
What really hit home for me was that Speth did not stop at the economy at large. He dug right into the reader’s core by identifying the very things each of us (as well as our society as a whole) have become accustomed to. It all starts with our addiction for over-consumption. The idea of not just being satisfied with “enough”, but instead needing and consuming “too much”. Most anyone of us reading this is guilty of it. Consumerism and materialism has taken over our society to a point where we often don’t even realize that half the things we buy are totally unnecessary. The problem is that as soon as we’ve convinced ourselves that we need them to be happy, we have fallen into the trap.
Gone seem the days of entertainment from simple time with friends, a nice book or a walk along the beach. That walk has turned into bike ride on a few thousand dollar bike. That time with friends has turned into a couple hundred dollar meal and drinks out on the town. And that book sadly has turned into cable TV or video games. The more we consume, the more we feel entitled to consume. Even if it’s totally irrational, that entitlement is still there. People talk about budgeting in this tight economy yet they are still going out to nice meals or grabbing their daily Starbucks. Since when are those not treats and privileges, but instead our rights?
The point is that all this adds up. It may not seem like much as one consumer. But have a look through your house, closet or credit card bill and make a list of things you could have easily done without. Now imagine a list like that times 300 or so million people. The materialism and entitlement adds up and quickly trickles into corporations motivations and before long you can see why this country and this world are running so terribly low on resources. Something must be done or it’s not going to end well.
Over the years, we have been brainwashed to think that success is directly related to the amount of money we have and the things we own. Hopefully by now, as avid readers of Reading For Your Success and these books, you have realized that couldn’t be further from the truth. Success is a dynamic concept in our minds that constantly changes as we learn and become aware of new ideas and priorities in our own lives and in the world in which we live. Please do not let your preconceived definitions of success blind you of the priorities of today. Our definition should be constantly growing and refining with every new thought that comes up, and I encourage you to always use the latest tools and minds to open up yours. The Bridge at the Edge of the World is just one of those tools.
This book is James Speth’s gift to our environment and our culture to get us fired up to do something about it so that there’s something left for our children and theirs. Without massive change, it looks as if we’ll continue down a pretty scary road. Speth is hoping he can inspire us enough to create a bridge to take us across to a more socially and environmentally conscious world and it will no doubt require the work of the whole crowd. At this point you should be wondering what you can do, or perhaps what you are already doing, to lend a hand. Might it be something as simple as starting to recycle or riding your bike to work, or perhaps more deep-rooted like focusing your life’s quest for success as an individual, entrepreneur, businessperson, mother or father in a way that will really change things. Fortunately (and unfortunately) the opportunities are practically untapped when it comes to doing your part. I’d say it’s never too late, but at some point it will be.
-Reading for Your Success
Topics Covered:
* Environmental Consciousness
* Environmental Degradation
* Global Warming
* Going Green
Review:
My mind was racing as soon as I finished the first chapter. It was almost painful. It was not a feeling of excitement that I get from many of the books I review, but instead a heavy feeling of responsibility. If I had to quickly sum it up, Speth’s thesis is as follows: as a result of an incredible desire to grow and consume as a country, an economy and a planet, our world is heading down a very dangerous path to environmental destruction, and the time is right this second to start doing something about it. I know it sounds extreme but you won’t believe the intensity of the statistics regarding population growth, fresh water use, polution, vehicle use, climate changes, temperature increase, and the list goes on. One thing is for sure. The author has done his research. It must have taken him years to put this together.
My good mate from Dubai was out visiting a few weeks back and gave me this book as a gift. He said it had a profound effect on him and felt it was his duty to offer me the same experience. I’m not sure whether to thank him or not… What a gift. As I read through the staggering statistics of how we are using, growing and consuming much too fast for our own good, I felt this massive call to action. The last time I really felt this way from a global perspective was after reading Thomas Friedman’s, The World is Flat a number of years ago. The only difference was that back then the call to action felt more like motivation to be as great as we (the U.S.) have been in the years and decades past. I was inspired, by both fear and excitement, to be better. Speth has taken more the approach of extreme fear and guilt to encourage action and I think he’s done it. From what I’ve heard, Friedman’s newest book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded takes a much more drastic approach as Speth has here. Be expecting a review on that shortly.
As the book reads, Speth begins with the major problems and potential upcoming disasters of the environment to get the reader legitimately frightened. He then covers some of the key causes to give the reader some understanding, and finally closes with some thoughtful approaches on what can be done about it to give the reader some action steps. The layout seemed to flow well, although for most of the book I kept thinking to myself, what the heck can I, as one person, do about these major issues. To my satisfaction, those ideas were eventually covered.
Something specific that stood out to me was the blame that he has put on modern day capitalism. As wonderful as capitalism has been as a tool to inspire great financial success and unparalleled innovation, it has left some terrible undoing in the dust. We have become so focused on economic growth at absolutely any cost that Corporate America has sacrificed the very thing that keeps it alive, mother earth. I must say it’s hard to blame them given the world is shoulder deep in a race to see who can be the biggest and the strongest, but it’s still no excuse. It’s a global issue and should be approached that way. There are so many standards for how a corporation operates and recognizes profits but there has been next to no accountability for the wake of their environmental impact.
Speth’s point is that as much as our current definition of capitalism has done for our country and world, it is glaringly clear that this same form of capitalism is anything but sustainable in the future. He then goes on to propose the shifts that should and need to be made in order to keep our quest for growth from destroying what makes life worth living–clean air, fresh water, a healthy family and so many other things we take for granted.
What really hit home for me was that Speth did not stop at the economy at large. He dug right into the reader’s core by identifying the very things each of us (as well as our society as a whole) have become accustomed to. It all starts with our addiction for over-consumption. The idea of not just being satisfied with “enough”, but instead needing and consuming “too much”. Most anyone of us reading this is guilty of it. Consumerism and materialism has taken over our society to a point where we often don’t even realize that half the things we buy are totally unnecessary. The problem is that as soon as we’ve convinced ourselves that we need them to be happy, we have fallen into the trap.
Gone seem the days of entertainment from simple time with friends, a nice book or a walk along the beach. That walk has turned into bike ride on a few thousand dollar bike. That time with friends has turned into a couple hundred dollar meal and drinks out on the town. And that book sadly has turned into cable TV or video games. The more we consume, the more we feel entitled to consume. Even if it’s totally irrational, that entitlement is still there. People talk about budgeting in this tight economy yet they are still going out to nice meals or grabbing their daily Starbucks. Since when are those not treats and privileges, but instead our rights?
The point is that all this adds up. It may not seem like much as one consumer. But have a look through your house, closet or credit card bill and make a list of things you could have easily done without. Now imagine a list like that times 300 or so million people. The materialism and entitlement adds up and quickly trickles into corporations motivations and before long you can see why this country and this world are running so terribly low on resources. Something must be done or it’s not going to end well.
Over the years, we have been brainwashed to think that success is directly related to the amount of money we have and the things we own. Hopefully by now, as avid readers of Reading For Your Success and these books, you have realized that couldn’t be further from the truth. Success is a dynamic concept in our minds that constantly changes as we learn and become aware of new ideas and priorities in our own lives and in the world in which we live. Please do not let your preconceived definitions of success blind you of the priorities of today. Our definition should be constantly growing and refining with every new thought that comes up, and I encourage you to always use the latest tools and minds to open up yours. The Bridge at the Edge of the World is just one of those tools.
This book is James Speth’s gift to our environment and our culture to get us fired up to do something about it so that there’s something left for our children and theirs. Without massive change, it looks as if we’ll continue down a pretty scary road. Speth is hoping he can inspire us enough to create a bridge to take us across to a more socially and environmentally conscious world and it will no doubt require the work of the whole crowd. At this point you should be wondering what you can do, or perhaps what you are already doing, to lend a hand. Might it be something as simple as starting to recycle or riding your bike to work, or perhaps more deep-rooted like focusing your life’s quest for success as an individual, entrepreneur, businessperson, mother or father in a way that will really change things. Fortunately (and unfortunately) the opportunities are practically untapped when it comes to doing your part. I’d say it’s never too late, but at some point it will be.
-Reading for Your Success
September 21, 2017
Eloquently written, easy to follow and fairly broad in scope this book still resonates years after publication, perhaps even more so with the Trump Administration and the political climate today. All of the issues outlined in this book are still prevalent today and aren't going away very quickly (not nearly fast enough) and Speth outlines many of the economic and political challenges that stand in way of fighting climate change and transitioning to a sustainable way of life for all.
His research is thorough, although he does cite a lot of other books, which is interesting but knowing their sources leaves the reader not sure where to go next to find out more (maybe to read the cited books?).
Overall a very informative and well-constructed read with a wealth of information for anyone who cares about the future, sustainability, and those interested to know more about what's in the way of change.
His research is thorough, although he does cite a lot of other books, which is interesting but knowing their sources leaves the reader not sure where to go next to find out more (maybe to read the cited books?).
Overall a very informative and well-constructed read with a wealth of information for anyone who cares about the future, sustainability, and those interested to know more about what's in the way of change.
November 17, 2013
Excellent examination of the environmental perils facing the world today. Some may argue that it is a depressing read, but that's hardly the fault of Speth. He is simply presenting the facts and laying out the most likely futures. If it is depressing, perhaps it is time to realize that there is a very real crisis looming in the near future that requires action.
To Speth's credit, he does lay out numerous alternatives available to us; however, they may not be to the liking of many that are deeply attached to consumer capitalism.
Speth also includes copious citations for further reading, if you are so inclined.
To Speth's credit, he does lay out numerous alternatives available to us; however, they may not be to the liking of many that are deeply attached to consumer capitalism.
Speth also includes copious citations for further reading, if you are so inclined.
November 23, 2022
A strong case for de-growth or, in his precise meaning, to prioritize real growth—the well-being of people and nature, using public health and environmental health indicators—rather than economic growth measured by GDP, which equalizes new housing and new pipelines, and equalizes peace and the production of weapons to defend ourselves from new enemies, far overseas…
June 14, 2019
Dated and disappointing. I was expecting more in the way of answers and alternatives that were more at the grassroots and global level, and less in the retelling of a global environmental and economic crisis that has only gotten worse since the book was published. The Bridge at the Edge of the World reads as a combination memoir and recycling of the work of the World Resources Institute. One shining spot is his chapter on corporate accountability. Speth identifies and articulates the reasons why capitalism is such a threat to the future of the planet, but he is unable to provide a viable alternative. Government bureaucracies and regulatory structures are recognized as inept and ineffective in making corporations accountable, yet the call for a "New Democracy" seems like rhetoric in the wake of the past ten years that have seen the environmental problems created by growing inequality even more apparent.
June 9, 2019
Yes, the focus is America and yes, it was published in 2008 so a lot has changed since then--and not, sadly for the better, but this remains an excellent book for anyone with even the slightest interest in our climate emergency today. It's informed, readable and full of ideas for what kind of actions might still be possible (even now, still worth doing). I'm so glad to have read this book and will follow up on some of the (very many) other sources referred to. And isn't it great how fiction can lead you to important non-fiction books (thank you, C.A. Fletcher for your book, 'A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World'--also recommended).
August 12, 2022
Read it like 20 years too late. It was interesting though. The author overshot predictions so it makes him seem a little extra but obviously and retrospectively, this is a good thing. It did get a little too fluffy at the end.
The one thing that was spot on was about corporations. He was right to realize those were going to be our demise.
The one thing that was spot on was about corporations. He was right to realize those were going to be our demise.
September 5, 2019
Powerfully provocative in evoking thoughts not only on climate change, but on globalization, and consumerism as a whole. Speth urges us to acknowledge that for any real change to happen we have to change humanity's mindset on how we see success. Are we above nature, or are we one with nature?
November 17, 2025
it was probably a mistake to do this as an audiobook, but most of the material the author covers is already known to me. I want to remain hopeful and I think most any future could be possible, but as of now it's looking pretty grim
May 12, 2020
The writing's a bit dry but the content is incredibly important. I wish there was an updated edition.
Read
May 11, 2024Read this really old book for Business Ethics and got a 4.0 😎
February 17, 2024
Ok, I won't pretend that a lot of his book went over my head. I appreciated the dissemination of the issue (capitalism and the impact on the environment), but I still left confused about what to do about it. I understood that a new way of being and thinking is necessary, but I think this book lacked what that actually looks like.
January 26, 2025
James Gustave Speth was a co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council and was a senior advisor to US presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. He served as the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from 1993 to 1999. His work has been widely recognized, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to environmental protection.
Author of also "Red Sky at Morning: America and the Crisis of the Global Environment", Speth's book "The Bridge at the Edge of the World" argues that the current capitalist economic system is fundamentally incompatible with environmental sustainability.
Here are some of the key points:
Environmental Crisis: Speth presents a stark assessment of the environmental challenges facing the planet, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. He argues that these problems are not merely isolated incidents but rather systemic issues rooted in the core principles of capitalism.
Critique of Capitalism: The book critiques the relentless pursuit of economic growth as the primary goal of capitalist societies. Speth argues that this focus on growth incentivizes unsustainable practices, such as the overexploitation of natural resources and the externalization of environmental costs. He also criticizes the influence of corporations on political processes, which he argues hinders effective environmental regulation.
Need for Transformative Change: Speth contends that incremental reforms within the existing capitalist framework are insufficient to address the environmental crisis. He calls for a fundamental shift in our economic and social systems, moving towards a more sustainable and equitable model.
Proposed Solutions: The book outlines a range of potential solutions, including:
Ecological Economics: Reframing economic thinking to prioritize environmental sustainability and social well-being over economic growth.
Green Governance: Strengthening democratic institutions and empowering citizens to participate in environmental decision-making.
Sustainable Consumption: Promoting responsible consumption patterns and reducing reliance on material goods.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Encouraging businesses to adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices.
Call to Action: Speth emphasizes the need for individual and collective action to create a more sustainable future. He urges readers to become informed, engaged citizens and to advocate for transformative change.
Speth's writing style in "The Bridge at the Edge of the World" can be generally described as:
Clear and Accessible: Despite dealing with complex scientific and economic concepts, Speth presents his arguments in a way that is generally understandable to a broad audience.
Urgent and Alarming: The book conveys a sense of urgency and alarm about the environmental crisis, emphasizing the seriousness of the challenges we face.
Frank and Direct: Speth doesn't shy away from criticizing the current economic system and the powerful interests that resist change.
Hopeful but Realistic: While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Speth maintains a sense of hope and outlines potential solutions for a more sustainable future.
Some might also describe his tone as:
Scholarly: Drawing upon his extensive academic and professional experience, Speth provides a well-researched and data-driven analysis of the environmental crisis.
Moral: The book carries a strong moral undercurrent, emphasizing the ethical imperative to protect the planet for future generations.
His writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, making the book a compelling read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet.
The book has been praised for its clear and compelling analysis of the environmental crisis and its unflinching critique of the current economic system. However, some critics have argued that Speth's proposed solutions are overly idealistic and may not be feasible within the existing political and economic context.
Author of also "Red Sky at Morning: America and the Crisis of the Global Environment", Speth's book "The Bridge at the Edge of the World" argues that the current capitalist economic system is fundamentally incompatible with environmental sustainability.
Here are some of the key points:
Environmental Crisis: Speth presents a stark assessment of the environmental challenges facing the planet, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. He argues that these problems are not merely isolated incidents but rather systemic issues rooted in the core principles of capitalism.
Critique of Capitalism: The book critiques the relentless pursuit of economic growth as the primary goal of capitalist societies. Speth argues that this focus on growth incentivizes unsustainable practices, such as the overexploitation of natural resources and the externalization of environmental costs. He also criticizes the influence of corporations on political processes, which he argues hinders effective environmental regulation.
Need for Transformative Change: Speth contends that incremental reforms within the existing capitalist framework are insufficient to address the environmental crisis. He calls for a fundamental shift in our economic and social systems, moving towards a more sustainable and equitable model.
Proposed Solutions: The book outlines a range of potential solutions, including:
Ecological Economics: Reframing economic thinking to prioritize environmental sustainability and social well-being over economic growth.
Green Governance: Strengthening democratic institutions and empowering citizens to participate in environmental decision-making.
Sustainable Consumption: Promoting responsible consumption patterns and reducing reliance on material goods.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Encouraging businesses to adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices.
Call to Action: Speth emphasizes the need for individual and collective action to create a more sustainable future. He urges readers to become informed, engaged citizens and to advocate for transformative change.
Speth's writing style in "The Bridge at the Edge of the World" can be generally described as:
Clear and Accessible: Despite dealing with complex scientific and economic concepts, Speth presents his arguments in a way that is generally understandable to a broad audience.
Urgent and Alarming: The book conveys a sense of urgency and alarm about the environmental crisis, emphasizing the seriousness of the challenges we face.
Frank and Direct: Speth doesn't shy away from criticizing the current economic system and the powerful interests that resist change.
Hopeful but Realistic: While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Speth maintains a sense of hope and outlines potential solutions for a more sustainable future.
Some might also describe his tone as:
Scholarly: Drawing upon his extensive academic and professional experience, Speth provides a well-researched and data-driven analysis of the environmental crisis.
Moral: The book carries a strong moral undercurrent, emphasizing the ethical imperative to protect the planet for future generations.
His writing style is engaging and thought-provoking, making the book a compelling read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet.
The book has been praised for its clear and compelling analysis of the environmental crisis and its unflinching critique of the current economic system. However, some critics have argued that Speth's proposed solutions are overly idealistic and may not be feasible within the existing political and economic context.
February 22, 2011
This is a great survey of current views on the relationship between the economy and the ecology. Even though Speth doesn't present many original ideas, he also doesn't try to pass off a bunch of second-hand materials as his own, like many popular/journalist-type authors often do. His extensive use of citations is one of the best things about this book because it points to lots of other interesting reading. I think most of the book is very strong, and I would find myself nodding my head in agreement with almost everything he was saying, until the last part of the book in which he switches from diagnosis to prescription. I wish he relied more on rigorous, philosophical, or scientific argument to build a solution, rather than just trying to appeal to our feelings, desire for social connection, and spiritual yearnings. I strongly believe that touchy-feely intuition, religion, and popular appeals are the things that have gotten us into this mess, not the tools for rescuing us from it. I don't know how we're going to convince almost 7 billion people to completely change their lifestyles and values, but I know that I would rather trust rigorous logic and science to do so rather than groundless, feel-good messages.
January 4, 2010
This book was in large part a reiteration of what I've been studying for the past couple of years in environmental policy, and I recommend it to people who are interested in understanding more about the current state of the environment and the various policies that are being used or proposed to fix it. The book was particularly enjoyable since Speth includes some of the ideas that I've found most exciting in this program such as developing alternatives to GDP because of the perverse incentives contained in that measure, discussions of post-oil-economy transition, and post-growth/ecological economics.
March 5, 2009
I found this book a little bit tedious and grumpy-old-man. But Speth also gave me some interesting things to think about. His chapters on human happiness and the problems with the prevailing model of capitalism are a comprehensive looking-down-from-the-hot-air-balloon overview of the theory and practical problems.
Of course, this book also gave me a horrible nightmare that raccoons and badgers armed with 19th century rifles were hunting me while I hiked through the woods. Don't read it before bedtime
Of course, this book also gave me a horrible nightmare that raccoons and badgers armed with 19th century rifles were hunting me while I hiked through the woods. Don't read it before bedtime
January 27, 2010
not a great follow-up to michael pollan, but pertinent. this book was written by a yale professor. i'm sucking up and he has no idea! if only i could email him and say, "hey, keep in mind while you're reviewing my application that i just read your book!" ha! but really, the topic of capitalism and markets and how it affects environmental change is very relevant. this book focused primarily on the united states. i think i will read his book "red sky at morning" which focused on the same topic but in the developing world.
August 25, 2010
It's a good book. Interesting balance of economics, business, politics, environment and social movements. At times it feels like it's just a summary of all the books Speth has read, which can be a good and bad thing. It's great to pull info from other sources but in most cases it's just other opinionated authors who share Speth's views. Conversely, my reading list just got a big boost which is a good thing. In the end, Speth makes a compelling argument and offers some real solutions. Worth reading.
March 25, 2011
Everyone should read this... even if you don't agree with everything Speth says (I don't - not everything), he'll challenge you to live more consciously and sustainably (the world is ours, not yours..!?) but also more freely. He acknowledges that "More and more people sense at some level that there's a great misdirection of life's energy." And I like his inclusion of Wendell Berry's "Manifesto":
...
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
...
...
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
...
October 18, 2008
“Proposals for transformational change will be derided and, when they gain traction, resisted at every turn. It is true but too easy to say that resistance will come from entrenched interests. It will also come from ourselves. We are the consumers and the employees, and we are easily seduced. Still, there is a world at stake, the world our children and grandchildren will inherit. We must all be out to save the world, literally.” (235-236)
December 8, 2008
good review by Ross Gelbspan, author of "The Heat is On", here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...
"Acclaimed environmentalist Speth asserts that our capitalist economy, with its emphasis on continuous robust growth, is at loggerheads with the environment. He minces no words as he writes that to destroy life as we know it, all we have to do is 'keep doing exactly what we are doing today.'"—Booklist
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...
"Acclaimed environmentalist Speth asserts that our capitalist economy, with its emphasis on continuous robust growth, is at loggerheads with the environment. He minces no words as he writes that to destroy life as we know it, all we have to do is 'keep doing exactly what we are doing today.'"—Booklist
May 7, 2009
A survey of the environmental crisis we find ourselves in, followed by a plea for changing the 'in-capitalism-growth-is-everything' paradigm which has helped bring about that crisis. Speth is a major academic whose book is useful precisely because it is reasoned, dry, and calm. It is not a battle-cry. One question. Why is the cover depicted in the thumbnail not the cover on my physical trade paperback book?
August 25, 2009
As one reviewer (Liz Elise of Nes Scientist) said so very well: "A massive plea for junking capitalism as we know it". The sub-title of this book is "Capitalism, the Environment, and Crossing from Crisis to Sustainabilty". Reading this on last week's bike tour through beautiful Colorado was ideal - it's so much easier to put things in persective when there is a little distance from one's everyday life. This is a FABULOUS thought-provoking and inspiring read.
Read
August 3, 2011Learned a couple of new things. Scary when you think about the climate approaching or already past it's tipping point. If it hasn't passed it yet, what are those factors that are getting ready to push it over the edge and what can we do to prevent it. Parts of the book seemed very fact and quote based. According to my rough estimate of the number of quoted books, I'm thinking James Speth actually ready over 100 during this compilation. I'm curious how his book "Red Sky at Dawn" is.
December 29, 2015
Outstanding explanation of global warming, the energy crisis, and the looming economic disaster citing the work of many writers. In addition Speth has some suggestions for which fork in the road will lead to sustainability. It was refreshing to read a factual book that has an optimistic ending of a possible future for the earth--in places perhaps too optimistic. Kitty Beer has posted an insightful complete review on her blog: http://www.planetprospect.blogspot.com.
August 5, 2014
This was an amazing, insightful book. It addresses so many of the world's problems including climate change, economic, environmental and social justice issues and even addresses the major flaws of capitalism. This book identifies key problem areas that human civilization must address to endure the future state of the planet while simultaneously offering logical solutions to avoid catastrophe. I urge everyone on Earth to read this book!
October 29, 2008
The author envisions the need for a "new consciousness" to transform the current apparent impasse in worldwide political and institutional will. The object of this transformation: to avert global social and ecological catastrophe. I have found his prognostications compelling, but, not much of a visionary myself, I don't share his optimism. I hope I'm mistaken.
November 23, 2009
Great overview of far-left, far-thinking environmentalism from the former presidential adviser and UNEP chief. The content is mainly a cut-and-paste gallery from other works, and it doubled my To Read list (offline, not over here, sorry). What's missing is a user-friendly bibliography and/or "where to get involved" list.
February 5, 2011
Kind of a must read for... everyone. Questions the whole status quo, re: our valuation scheme (is the GDP really a meaningful measure of how well a country is doing?), as well as providing some key guidelines for what's important economically, ecologically, and politically, if we hope to ever become a "sustainable" nation.
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