Y vimos cambiar las estaciones

by Philip Kitcher, Evelyn Fox Keller

A medida que el hielo se derrite y los niveles del mar aumentan, amenazando la existencia humana tal y como la conocemos, el cambio climático se ha convertido en uno de los temas más urgentes y controvertidos de nuestro tiempo. Philip Kitcher y Evelyn Fox Keller, dos de los científicos más renombrados de la actualidad, podrían haber escrito un libro «convencional» sobre esta cuestión, lleno de cifras, buenos argumentos y mejores intenciones. Pero se dieron cuenta de algo: a pesar de que el cambio climático va a transformar radicalmente nuestra existencia, la de nuestros hijos y la del resto de los seres vivos del planeta, la mayoría de la ciudadanía se siente incapaz de comprender el alcance de la situación y de actuar en consecuencia. ¿Por qué? Porque no sabemos hablar de cambio climático. Entonces pensaron en escribir un libro que pudiera fomentar un debate democrático bien documentado y accesible a todos. ¿Pero cómo? Se les ocurrió presentar la realidad del calentamiento global en el contexto de seis escenas o conversaciones cotidianas. Así, inventaron doce personajes (sí, en efecto, un científico puede desdoblarse en escritor y crear personajes interesantes, verosímiles, ricos y complejos, con orígenes, biografías, ideas y posiciones socioeconómicas muy distintas) que hablan, argumentan, discuten y se enfrentan al monopolio de la conversación por parte de las instancias financieras, políticas y mediáticas. A veces un personaje convence a otro, a veces agranda sus dudas o le abre un punto de vista. Y en los apéndices finales, el lector encontrará todas las referencias, datos y explicaciones que el rigor científico exige. El resultado es un libro decisivo: una forma radicalmente distinta de hacer ciencia para enfrentar el problema más radical de la historia humana; un experimento literario brillante sobre nuestra acuciante necesidad de crear historias que nos sirvan de modelo y contrarresten el omnipresente paradigma apocalíptico; un manifiesto político, a medio camino entre la contundencia de Naomi Klein y la exigencia de Rachel Carson, con el que encarar la transición hacia un mundo ecológicamente sostenible.

Genres: Nonfiction, Climate Change, Philosophy, Science, Nature, Politics, Psychology

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 18, 2017

About the author

Philip Kitcher is John Dewey Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University. He was the first recipient of the American Philosophical Association's Prometheus Prize for his work to expand the frontiers of science and philosophy.

Reviews

[MNBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would enjoy seeing this performed as a play. This was difficult to read because it did seem depressing at times (can we really pull this off?). I worry this won't hold the interest of a climate change naysayer, but it certainly offers some optimism (which is different from most articles you read in the news).

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Se trata de un libro díficil de leer, por lo menos para mi. Es un ensayo sobre cómo afrontar el debate sobre el Cambio Climático, pero no es un texto científico ni político, sino más bien filosófico. El libro presenta 6 escenarios diferentes, en forma de diálogo, en el que siempre hay una persona que argumenta porqué hay que actuar inmediatamente para frenar el sobrecalentamiento del planeta, y luego hay otra persona, que escucha y debate los argumentos que plantea su contrincante. En el libro no vas a encontrar datos sobre los efectos negativos del calentamiento globar ni de cuando se van a producir. Para muchos existen en la actualidad, problemas mucho más importante que el Cambio Climático que solucionar, ya que consideran que el futuro es algo muy lejano, y no está tan claro que vaya a producirse ninguna catastrofe. Los dialógos, van planteando diferentes escenarios, de pensamiento, y de como afrontar esos puntos desde el punto de vista, digamos, filosófico. Es una lectura, que puede servir para argumentar de una forma concreta, ya me gustaría que lo leyeran muchos de los que se sientan en las famosas cumbres del Cambio Clímático.

[Antonio Ceté · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es un libro mal escrito que se lee muy bien. Tiene ideas muy buenas y novedosas y otras como de los noventa. Vale la pena si quieres enterarte de forma sencilla de por dónde ha ido (e irá) el debate sobre cambio climático.

[Clara Liñan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aunque seguramente para todos aquellos que saben un poco de cambio climático no haya información nueva, las herramientas que te da para crear una conversación educada y poder expresar lo que esta pasando de una manera que cualquiera pueda entender es increible.

[Elari · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I found the format (a series of dialogues between two imaginary people) infantilizing and off-putting. But, I guess it works fine. The book explains climate science in an accessible way. Its purpose is to encourage all of us to have a more open discussion about climate change - without losing our temper, and without 'shaming' people who may be misinformed, suspicious, or unsure of what to believe. It seeks to create the possibility for a calm, diplomatic dialogue about climate change policies, while being explicit about the urgency of the matter throughout. A little overboard with the 'non-violent' communication, but good book overall.

[Reix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best argumented book I've ever read.
Many times I miss rational people with whom to talk about important matters, and not people who systematically think you are being technical when they just live in their personal utopia, asking for things but without bringing proposals to made their illusory dreams come true. I think we need more people who argue scientifically and not talking about just beliefs.
This book, with 6 "socratic" conversations, offers both sides of the same dilemma and how to argue with someone who is not really sure about the truth of the climatic change or about the need of acting now.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would give the content of the information a 4 or 5/5 but I could not get into this book at all. The prologue was written as dystopian fiction and the rational and calm dialogue was, for me, highly distracting. Yes, these are discussions we need to have a great points were raised across the book about climate change but I could not get over the format.

[Olivia Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think everyone should read this book, and if anything, I could see it being an amazing play or each conversation being extended and becoming an episode in a mini series. It emphasizes how conversations are exactly what we need to be having when it comes to this climate crisis. So many of these conversations had bits and pieces of things I’ve talked about with people and it was so comforting to know that these were similar conversations people were having.

What stood out to me a lot was how these conversations were often described as being postponed or previous ones going poorly and I found this to be really accurate. Often when there’s disagreement between myself and others when it comes to the climate or making certain life choices for the better of our environment, they often end with us still being in a disagreement on the issue and make the two of us more hesitant to continue having these conversations. Also, don’t think I didn’t noticed that the person in all six conversations who was pushing to have these conversations and was pro making active change were all women…

Love love love now let’s make this a play or show asap pls and thank you!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the information straightforward, and I appreciate that the dialogue format and the use of illustrations within those dialogues made the information that much more accessible. What I enjoyed most about this book is that is upfront about how much scientists don't know about the changing climate but puts that inability to predict changes precisely into the context of the ethical discussions around preventing climate change from being worse. If you come to this book looking for a laundry list of individual behavior changes to lower your carbon footprint, you won't find many, but if you want an introduction into the broader debates about who is responsible to whom for taking action on climate change, this is a pretty accessible primer.

[Tim Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a dialogical style, this book provides an extremely accessible introduction to the problem of climate change, focusing as much or more on political, ethical, and philosophical issues as on the science. A careless read of this book may lead one to be disappointed at its apparent lack of depth, but rest assured -- the authors are top-notch philosophers of science and they provide a wide range of excellent bibliographical references that will help the reader learn more. Ideal as a textbook (along with others) for an interdisciplinary course on climate change, or as a gift for your favorite climate change skeptic friend. A model for how the conversations we need to have with each other should take place. I enjoyed this book quite a lot.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifty pages (maybe?) of information spread out into perfectly rational dialogue. Assumptions are made, debates are had and (looking bored), pages are turned. In the end, the answer is a global democracy advised and run by approved experts.

[Kayla Kremke]

A good, fast read, skit-style writing. Gives good points in making conversation with others - both about the science, and about the motivations. The six acts:
1. Is it real?
2. So what?
3. Why care?
4. What can be done?
5. Who pays?
6. A new politics?

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confronting, worthwhile to read.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! A lot of information!

[Quintoparrafo · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Y vimos cambiar las estaciones” (Philip Kitcher, Errata Naturae)
Errata Naturae es un ejemplo, incluso ideológico, en sus decisiones editoriales respecto a la lucha por la sostenibilidad del medio ambiente. Todos sabemos, son públicos y conocidos, los compromisos que adquirieron tras el confinamiento, con claras apuestas por mejoras laborales, el planeta y la sociedad en busca de esas mejoras sociales y medioambientales. También, dentro de su catálogo, destacan colecciones más naturalistas como “Libros salvajes”, donde aparece este volumen.
Un mano a mano entre dos escritores, dos protagonistas, de seis charlas que intentan desentrañar las realidades e incógnitas del devastador cambio climático que nos asola. Seis partidas entre dos personajes, Jo y Joe, que debaten y confrontan, informan con datos y cuestionan dudas. Seis parcelas de combate dialéctico muy revelador, con mucha información y datos incuestionables.
Muy instructivo, didáctico, ideal para mostrar a un gran publico esta tremenda realidad que nos amenaza invisible. ¿Os suena?

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obsolete

Renewable energy is now less expensive than fossil fuels. Electric vehicles are taking over the market. Low interest enables a change over. There is no longer a reason to use fossil fuels. And, incidentally, no reason for a very intrusive government program. Maybe a carbon tax or carbon trading.