What do you think?
Rate this book
Our Only Home: A Climate Appeal to the World
“This impassioned account is ideal for readers well versed in current climate change activism, especially efforts spearheaded by Greta Thunberg.”— Library Journal
From the voice of the beloved world religious leader comes an eye-opening manifesto that empowers the generation of today to step up, take action and save our environment.
Saving the climate is our common duty. With each passing day, climate change is causing Pacific islands to disappear into the sea, accelerating the extinction of species at alarming proportions and aggravating a water shortage that has affected the entire world. In short, climate change can no longer be denied—it threatens our existence on earth.
In this new book, the Dalai Lama, one of the most influential figures of our time, calls on political decision makers to finally fight against deadlock and ignorance on this issue and to stand up for a different, more climate-friendly world and for the younger generation to assert their right to regain their future.
From the voice of the beloved world religious leader comes an eye-opening manifesto that empowers the generation of today to step up, take action and save our environment.
Saving the climate is our common duty. With each passing day, climate change is causing Pacific islands to disappear into the sea, accelerating the extinction of species at alarming proportions and aggravating a water shortage that has affected the entire world. In short, climate change can no longer be denied—it threatens our existence on earth.
In this new book, the Dalai Lama, one of the most influential figures of our time, calls on political decision makers to finally fight against deadlock and ignorance on this issue and to stand up for a different, more climate-friendly world and for the younger generation to assert their right to regain their future.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published November 17, 2020
65 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Dalai Lama XIV
1,554 books6,197 followersJetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Döndrub), the 14th Dalai Lama, is a practicing member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and is influential as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the world's most famous Buddhist monk, and the leader of the exiled Tibetan government in India.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.
On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.
After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.
Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.
On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.
After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.
Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
January 30, 2021
This book makes clear, at least to those of us with any common sense of concern for our planet, that we are in a true climate emergency. The facts and figures are staggering, as is the thought of millions of climate refugees. There is an overview and then a question and interview of the Dalai Lama. He highly praises Greta Thunberg, her concern, outspokenness and her climate initiatives. She has managed, what many world leaders have not, to start a movement among the young. This planet is their future and we have left it in a detrimental mess.
The nature of this book leads to much repetition but the content is important, crucial.
ARC Edelweiss.
The nature of this book leads to much repetition but the content is important, crucial.
ARC Edelweiss.
December 1, 2020
I love the Dalai Lama. I believe in climate science and the need for immediate action across the world to start taking climate change seriously through action. So with this book, what could go wrong?
Turns out...a lot. If you think this is another Dalai Lama book where his peaceful, coherent and necessary voice is front and center, think again. Franz Alt dominates the book with both his voice and how he structures the inclusion of enough Dalai Lama thoughts to justify adding his name to the book.
There is a painful interview format in the middle of the book where Alt throws the Dalai Lama softball questions, often in a very compound manner with half the answers already provided by Alt in the phrasing of the question, and the Dalai Lama then chimes in agreeing or adding his own head-nodding words to it.
I trend against echo chamber books (whether it speaks to something I agree with or not) and this one fits squarely in that category. I can’t imagine anyone with questions about climate change would read this and be convinced to think about things differently. Alt (and, to a lesser extent, the Dalai Lama) tells the reader how things are and make claims that are sure to sound suspect to many with doubts. Alt assumes the reader will take each and everyone as fact and provides zero sources or links for those that might want to confirm some of them.
An example is when he cites Iceland and Costa Rica as running their nations entirely on renewable energy. No sources, no discussion. He cites this to show it can be done anywhere, but fails to take into account the unique environmental advantages those countries have for such a goal and their small size relative to others.
Alt is at his worst when he tries to mix up Christianity, Buddhism, science, climate issues, and whatever else he has tossed in the pot. He even says, of Christianity and Buddhism:
“At their origin, both religions ignore dogmatism; they are committed to pragmatism and science”
Oh Franz, no no no. Have you read the Bible?
As if it all wasn't bad enough, it is in this book that I learned the Dalai Lama eats meat. WTF?! Can 2020 get crappier (I googled it and turns out I'm a bit late on this one, but still)?
Turns out...a lot. If you think this is another Dalai Lama book where his peaceful, coherent and necessary voice is front and center, think again. Franz Alt dominates the book with both his voice and how he structures the inclusion of enough Dalai Lama thoughts to justify adding his name to the book.
There is a painful interview format in the middle of the book where Alt throws the Dalai Lama softball questions, often in a very compound manner with half the answers already provided by Alt in the phrasing of the question, and the Dalai Lama then chimes in agreeing or adding his own head-nodding words to it.
I trend against echo chamber books (whether it speaks to something I agree with or not) and this one fits squarely in that category. I can’t imagine anyone with questions about climate change would read this and be convinced to think about things differently. Alt (and, to a lesser extent, the Dalai Lama) tells the reader how things are and make claims that are sure to sound suspect to many with doubts. Alt assumes the reader will take each and everyone as fact and provides zero sources or links for those that might want to confirm some of them.
An example is when he cites Iceland and Costa Rica as running their nations entirely on renewable energy. No sources, no discussion. He cites this to show it can be done anywhere, but fails to take into account the unique environmental advantages those countries have for such a goal and their small size relative to others.
Alt is at his worst when he tries to mix up Christianity, Buddhism, science, climate issues, and whatever else he has tossed in the pot. He even says, of Christianity and Buddhism:
“At their origin, both religions ignore dogmatism; they are committed to pragmatism and science”
Oh Franz, no no no. Have you read the Bible?
As if it all wasn't bad enough, it is in this book that I learned the Dalai Lama eats meat. WTF?! Can 2020 get crappier (I googled it and turns out I'm a bit late on this one, but still)?
April 4, 2022
The problem with this book is that the people or politicians it is trying to reach are unlikely to read it. The audience will be like me already converted. Although the book is dominated by Franz Alt and he asks the Dalia Lama leading questions it still makes a convincing argument.
Solar energy works even in countries without a lot of sun. The Government in the UK is about to embark on funding several nuclear power stations instead of alternative renewable energies aside from wind power.
The challenge of instilling compassion into the next generation and environmental ethics is piecemeal. An education system that teaches economics based on cancer growth and materialism is embedded in most countries. It beggars belief that trillions are spent on military spending and so little on environmental projects. I am glad I have no children to worry about their future and sad for the children of today who will inherit the mess we have created through voting in politicians without vision or ethics.
Solar energy works even in countries without a lot of sun. The Government in the UK is about to embark on funding several nuclear power stations instead of alternative renewable energies aside from wind power.
The challenge of instilling compassion into the next generation and environmental ethics is piecemeal. An education system that teaches economics based on cancer growth and materialism is embedded in most countries. It beggars belief that trillions are spent on military spending and so little on environmental projects. I am glad I have no children to worry about their future and sad for the children of today who will inherit the mess we have created through voting in politicians without vision or ethics.
January 15, 2021
This is not really a book written by the Dalai Lama. It is a published conversation between him and a kindred friend. It is a plea to global citizens to take climate change seriously and to stop thinking of ourselves as separate nations. He praises the Paris Climate Accords and Greta Thunberg profusely. He makes simple requests of us such as turning off lights, eating less meat, and voting for green politicians only. It is a simple book but I did learn a few things.
For instance, the interviewer asks him if reincarnation might help people be more motivated to save the planet if they knew that they would have to live here again. He says that Christians scrubbed Jesus' belief in reincarnation from the records on purpose. Is this true?? I am going to look into this further because it kind of blows my mind a little.
This is a short book. It took me about 90 minutes in total and I did very much appreciate the spirit of it. I think children over age 12 could read and appreciate it too.
For instance, the interviewer asks him if reincarnation might help people be more motivated to save the planet if they knew that they would have to live here again. He says that Christians scrubbed Jesus' belief in reincarnation from the records on purpose. Is this true?? I am going to look into this further because it kind of blows my mind a little.
This is a short book. It took me about 90 minutes in total and I did very much appreciate the spirit of it. I think children over age 12 could read and appreciate it too.
November 26, 2020
I was really disappointed in this. I had hoped it would be more profound and deal more with the Buddhist philosophy of taking care of the earth. Rather, it was exceptionally repetitive and sometimes went on tangents that seemed to stray a bit too far from the main purpose. I'm going to put a large amount of blame on the journalist that co-wrote this, because his questions were often the basis for what the Dalai Lama was saying. Maybe his questions were too similar? Maybe the Dalai Lama didn't have enough to say to answer the same type of question over and over? I don't know. Also, the co-author's writing was very clunky to me; some chapters are written exclusively by Franz Alt (sometimes hard to gauge which ones) and I just had a hard time getting through them. All I know is that there are many better books on the environment and our need to take care of it.
December 14, 2020
Climate change and its consequences - especially the looming climate migration phenomenon - do not receive attention commensurate with their seriousness and impact in this 21st century. The fact that there's a book out there with the Dalai Lama's face and name on it that appeals to people to exercise compassion and harmony with their environment is an objectively good thing. The fact that it's simple, shallow (to the extent that eastern philosophy can be shallow) and takes only a couple of hours to read is also an objectively good thing. And so is the fact that it features eastern-style thinking - after all, our religions have high regard for things around us that aren't human.
But I wonder whether anyone who reads this will really be swayed - I wonder how the capitalistic, almost imperialistic societies of the global north would relate to talk of 'educating the heart' or 'Our Mother Earth' or 'ecological responsibility'. Why, oh why, would most people in the West worry about the potential conflicts that may be caused in India and China by rapidly melting Himalayan glaciers? Frantz Alt talks about a man named Alexander von Humboldt, who has been dubbed the world's first environmentalist, whose vision did not include a view of nature as something to exploit. And yet, how ironic is it, that much of Northern California's beautiful coastal redwoods have been logged by a company of the same name - Humboldt? Doesn't that tell us how far removed the perceptible reality of the world is from truth?
I don't know who the author (it's mostly Frantz Alt) is speaking to, but I am hoping someone hears his message. He makes some good points - especially about how imperative and urgent it is for developing economies to have the power to invest in renewables on a large scale. The message that His Holiness brings to table is also important, and should influence anybody with higher order thinking skills. It's a good introduction to the broader issues of climate change, from an Eastern and developing-economy perspective that will quickly edify people with very little awareness but real concerns about the state of the planet. It will help people align their internal energies into increased climate consciousness, at least for those with will and philosophical leanings.
Unfortunately, the lack of rigor makes it unsuitable for serious discussions of institutional remedies, and the very subtle message that the modern Western school of thought is corruptive of the planet and the spiritual health of humans may not sit well with some readers, although that is no fault of Alt's. There is also nearly no discussion of the real causes of the world's relative apathy to this issue, which tells us that this book seeks to appeal rather than inform. I will not judge the intention of the author - I am grateful that he has decided to keep calling attention to this high-priority issue, but the abstract quality of it does make it feel like something of a missed opportunity. I think people should still read it, and be wise to absorb that which will help, but also follow up with other literature on the climate crisis. As a concrete call to action, this book won't be very effective, but hopefully it provokes consideration.
But I wonder whether anyone who reads this will really be swayed - I wonder how the capitalistic, almost imperialistic societies of the global north would relate to talk of 'educating the heart' or 'Our Mother Earth' or 'ecological responsibility'. Why, oh why, would most people in the West worry about the potential conflicts that may be caused in India and China by rapidly melting Himalayan glaciers? Frantz Alt talks about a man named Alexander von Humboldt, who has been dubbed the world's first environmentalist, whose vision did not include a view of nature as something to exploit. And yet, how ironic is it, that much of Northern California's beautiful coastal redwoods have been logged by a company of the same name - Humboldt? Doesn't that tell us how far removed the perceptible reality of the world is from truth?
I don't know who the author (it's mostly Frantz Alt) is speaking to, but I am hoping someone hears his message. He makes some good points - especially about how imperative and urgent it is for developing economies to have the power to invest in renewables on a large scale. The message that His Holiness brings to table is also important, and should influence anybody with higher order thinking skills. It's a good introduction to the broader issues of climate change, from an Eastern and developing-economy perspective that will quickly edify people with very little awareness but real concerns about the state of the planet. It will help people align their internal energies into increased climate consciousness, at least for those with will and philosophical leanings.
Unfortunately, the lack of rigor makes it unsuitable for serious discussions of institutional remedies, and the very subtle message that the modern Western school of thought is corruptive of the planet and the spiritual health of humans may not sit well with some readers, although that is no fault of Alt's. There is also nearly no discussion of the real causes of the world's relative apathy to this issue, which tells us that this book seeks to appeal rather than inform. I will not judge the intention of the author - I am grateful that he has decided to keep calling attention to this high-priority issue, but the abstract quality of it does make it feel like something of a missed opportunity. I think people should still read it, and be wise to absorb that which will help, but also follow up with other literature on the climate crisis. As a concrete call to action, this book won't be very effective, but hopefully it provokes consideration.
April 5, 2021
I was a little disappointed in this. I had hoped it would be more profound and deal more with the Buddhist philosophy of taking care of the earth.
This is actually a cover of various interview quotations from the Dalai Lama written by Franz Alt.
Frustratingly repetitive!
This is actually a cover of various interview quotations from the Dalai Lama written by Franz Alt.
Frustratingly repetitive!
February 8, 2022
Enjoyed reading Dalai Lama's answers to the questions posed by Franz Alt, especially about the need to plant trees and spend time in nature. Also of interest was his view about intensive animal farming and how it is good to look for alternatives in terms of food that doesn't cause suffering to animals.
November 27, 2020
A powerful and important message but delivered in a rather redundant manner. I had much higher hopes for this book, including more suggestions on how to live as an engaged Buddhist. Worth a read, although slightly disappointing.
April 7, 2021
audio, short.-3 hours though a little repetitive...
A supportive look at Greta Thunberg's initiative.
An ethical look at being cooperative
for the sake of the planet where our children/grandchildren will live.
A supportive look at Greta Thunberg's initiative.
An ethical look at being cooperative
for the sake of the planet where our children/grandchildren will live.
July 11, 2021
Compassion ethics towards the environment, nature and one another could save the world.
Let’s act now, each of us can contribute if we take responsibility and act with altruism.
Thank you for the reminder
Let’s act now, each of us can contribute if we take responsibility and act with altruism.
Thank you for the reminder
February 17, 2021
An eye-opening plea for us all to do more to save the Earth. It's heart-breaking, what we're doing to the environment, to the only home we have. It did feel a bit depressing, almost as if it is all inevitable. Nevertheless, I liked the ideas of reverence for all life, and that all the problems created by people can also be solved by people.
The book is not really by the Dalai Lama but written by Franz Alt including some conversations with him. I would have liked more from the Dalai Lama.
The audiobook format was quite powerful. However, the chapter/section numbers were a bit confusing and it was a bit repetitive.
The book is not really by the Dalai Lama but written by Franz Alt including some conversations with him. I would have liked more from the Dalai Lama.
The audiobook format was quite powerful. However, the chapter/section numbers were a bit confusing and it was a bit repetitive.
November 6, 2024
“We humans are the only species with the power to destroy the earth as we know it. Yet, if we have the power to destroy the earth, so too do we have the capacity to protect it.”
3 ⭐️
This is a short read on an important topic. It’s repetitive and not especially well organized nor motivating. I’m rather cynical, but I don’t think this book will change anyone’s thoughts or actions.
3 ⭐️
This is a short read on an important topic. It’s repetitive and not especially well organized nor motivating. I’m rather cynical, but I don’t think this book will change anyone’s thoughts or actions.
September 18, 2022
It's beautifully written and really makes you think about our only home.
April 18, 2022
(2.5) i’m breaking my streak of not writing reviews ever to just for this book. i agree w the majority of what Alt wrote, i was just not the key demographic for this book. i was hoping for a different perspective of an issue i’ve enjoy learning more ab but it seemed sort of messy and longwinded and honestly pretty badly worded at points. however i enjoyed the Dalai Lama’s sections much more than Alt’s.
June 8, 2021
This isn't really a book by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but more of a book by Alt, interspersed with excerpts from interviews over the years with him and with quotes from a few others. A lot of people took umbrage with this, and while I would have liked more from His Holiness, what was in this quick read was good enough to look past that. My main issue was how often things were repeated, almost verbatim. You can tell that he is asked the same questions over and over and kind of has canned answers, which makes sense for a political figure and spiritual leader, but is kind of awkward when held up next to each other in the framework of a short read that is mostly Alt's words.
Some people also seemed angry that HHDL was not a vegetarian, but Buddhism doesn't require this, so while I think vegetarianism is good, I'm not sure why people were so offended by the actions of someone else. A lot of monks have no goods of their own and rely on the donations of others, and if that donation is meat, they are able to eat it because they themselves were not the ones who killed it. Buddhism also teaches about walking the middle path and not becoming to fanatical either way, so again, not sure why people were surprised or outraged by this. The book promotes halving, and then decreasing meat consumption by 2/3s, so again, it lines up. I think for a lot of people it's easier to do things this way than to go cold turkey, and since something is better than nothing and can lead to becoming vegan or vegetarian, why not be a little more kind to people and help them instead of judging them and making them turn away?
The book touches on a lot of topics like solar panels, wind turbines, environmental refugees, religion and how its followers generally react to climate change.the youth and their protests and how we should support them because they're fighting for their futures, and so on. There are a lot of interesting examples of how people and countries are addressing climate change, as well as a lot of horrifying statistics. The book can be a little repetitive, but overall a good wake-up call/ reminder of what exactly is at stake.
Some people also seemed angry that HHDL was not a vegetarian, but Buddhism doesn't require this, so while I think vegetarianism is good, I'm not sure why people were so offended by the actions of someone else. A lot of monks have no goods of their own and rely on the donations of others, and if that donation is meat, they are able to eat it because they themselves were not the ones who killed it. Buddhism also teaches about walking the middle path and not becoming to fanatical either way, so again, not sure why people were surprised or outraged by this. The book promotes halving, and then decreasing meat consumption by 2/3s, so again, it lines up. I think for a lot of people it's easier to do things this way than to go cold turkey, and since something is better than nothing and can lead to becoming vegan or vegetarian, why not be a little more kind to people and help them instead of judging them and making them turn away?
The book touches on a lot of topics like solar panels, wind turbines, environmental refugees, religion and how its followers generally react to climate change.the youth and their protests and how we should support them because they're fighting for their futures, and so on. There are a lot of interesting examples of how people and countries are addressing climate change, as well as a lot of horrifying statistics. The book can be a little repetitive, but overall a good wake-up call/ reminder of what exactly is at stake.
September 6, 2021
As other reviewer put it, a powerful and important message but delivered in a rather redundant and repetitive manner.
The book is written by Franz Alt and the epilogue provided some useful reflection on a number of issues e.g. reconciling economy with ecology. ten commandments for the climate. I think it would be more clear to put as the book by Franz with conversation with Dalai Lama as a chapter or something.
There are a lot of pleasant anecdotal conversation about climate change issues and campaign led by Greta which Dalai Lama is wholeheartedly supportive. The title is a bit misleading and lack of the depth - many people might have hoped.
The book is perhaps useful for the beginner. It helps reinforce the message but a bit short of new insight.
"Live more simply so other people can survive. Think more and offer resistance against ignorant and shortsighted. We can free ourselves from overabundant."
The book is written by Franz Alt and the epilogue provided some useful reflection on a number of issues e.g. reconciling economy with ecology. ten commandments for the climate. I think it would be more clear to put as the book by Franz with conversation with Dalai Lama as a chapter or something.
There are a lot of pleasant anecdotal conversation about climate change issues and campaign led by Greta which Dalai Lama is wholeheartedly supportive. The title is a bit misleading and lack of the depth - many people might have hoped.
The book is perhaps useful for the beginner. It helps reinforce the message but a bit short of new insight.
"Live more simply so other people can survive. Think more and offer resistance against ignorant and shortsighted. We can free ourselves from overabundant."
October 9, 2021
This is a terrible convicting book. I believe the Church needs more literature like this to better develop the harmony we are supposed to have with creation. However, on a more urgent note, this book is not just about having a healthy relationship with creation. It is instead a plea and a rebuke. The plea is for the major national governments to start making wild reforms regarding carbon emissions, renewable energy, and limiting waste. The rebuke is the scathing correction to those in power for letting us get to this point. From this book, I am trying to join the efforts of young people around the world that are making a personal stand against these actions through vegetarianism, protesting, recycling, and awareness building. Though I feel like my efforts are nothing compared to someone like Greta Thunberg, I nonetheless cannot leave this book with zero life change.
Key Words/Phrases:
- Global Warming
- Carbon Footprint
- Renewal Energy
Key Words/Phrases:
- Global Warming
- Carbon Footprint
- Renewal Energy
January 26, 2021
“We must think globally, but act locally.”
Climate change remains an issue, whether one believes it or not. There are all these campaigns to lower emissions, reduce caarbon footprints, and similar goals. However, many individuals need a start. A focus on local communities will have larger impacts than trying to fix everything all at once.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV, one of my favorite people of all time, encourages us to think about our communities and work towards bettering ourselves to better the planet. Words inspired by a Ms. Greta Thunberg. Individuals will make the change, not the companies shaming us for using straws while they commit a majority of the carbon emissions themselves.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Climate change remains an issue, whether one believes it or not. There are all these campaigns to lower emissions, reduce caarbon footprints, and similar goals. However, many individuals need a start. A focus on local communities will have larger impacts than trying to fix everything all at once.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV, one of my favorite people of all time, encourages us to think about our communities and work towards bettering ourselves to better the planet. Words inspired by a Ms. Greta Thunberg. Individuals will make the change, not the companies shaming us for using straws while they commit a majority of the carbon emissions themselves.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2020
This is actually a paste-up of various interview quotations from the Dalai Lama written by Franz Alt. It is outrageous, to my mind, that this book purports to be written by Dalai Lama XIV.
So...what is the message? Ride your bicycle. Use solar panels. Eat vegetarian although Dalai Lama eats meat.
Yup, that's about the size of it.
Library Loan
So...what is the message? Ride your bicycle. Use solar panels. Eat vegetarian although Dalai Lama eats meat.
Yup, that's about the size of it.
Library Loan
April 6, 2021
Loved hearing the Dalai Lama's view of climate change and his recommendations for change. I wish more people realized how climate change is currently affecting our poorest communities, but it wont be long until we all feel it. The buddhist way of life is the best way of life I've ever encountered (Ive been to China, S. Korea, Thailand, India)
June 15, 2021
Oh boy. I just loved this book. It's my first foray into anything the Dalai Lama has written and I really appreciated this. A spiritual appeal for protecting our planet. Just lovely.
May 2, 2022
So this book was very easy to read but it is also kind of useless. It talks about the problems of global warming but like the other one I had read some months ago it doesn't really give any solutions - except to tell everyone to put those solar panels on their roof. But the problem is that most people cannot afford those things. How could one afford to buy a solar panel if they can't afford enough food? And the people in power only get richer and the poor get poorer. The rich could easily buy solar panels but of course they don't. They would rather spend some insane amount of money on a bottle of wine or maybe some particular brand of shoes. While there are countless people who have to make the hard decision of should they buy their medicine or should they buy food? But they can't have both. So which do they pick?
The real problem is with society and how it is set up. Its for profit. To get rich. And the rich don't care about the environment. Because they can't make money off of it. But they can make money off of gas and oil. And that is not even including the other natural disasters: like cutting down trees (make money) or making those nasty chemicals (make more money) and grow GMO crops that is sprayed with Roundup (make yet more money)... But you don't make money by NOT doing these things. And those companies want more money. And if you get sick from the chemicals on the food, well, they make money from that too! Drugs! And lately I have read many articles about those Forever Chemicals being on land and the land is now useless. And it gets into people's blood too. I suppose then they'd sell you a drug to fix that!
But this book doesn't really offer any practical solutions. It often repeats stuff too.
I walk almost everywhere I go. But I am the only person who does that. Everyone else around here has a car. They drive everywhere. One person in a car. He talks about that in the book - cars. But he does not say how do you stop people from doing that. And most people are incapable of walking even a few miles. They are in bad shape. They do not have any endurance. But it is also the culture. It's a car culture. But what are these people going to do one day when the gas is gone?
Then he talks about being vegetarian. I do not agree with that. Many people these days have serious stomach issues and the only things they CAN eat is grass fed meat. Plus meat has all the nutrients you need. Maybe if companies wouldn't have been spraying crops with Roundup for years and years we wouldn't have these gut problems but they were and we do. And vegetables do not supply B vitamins. Plus hoofed animals are actually better for the environment. I have read they stop the permafrost from melting. Read it in that book the other year about bringing back the wooly mammoth.
And what had happened to him when he was a vegetarian? He got liver issues and yellow skin! The Dalai Lama I mean! He says so right in here. Being a vegetarian made him sick yet he is telling other people to do it too! That is stupid to me. Why would you recommend a diet that gave you liver issues? He had to go back to eating meat!
Meat heals. Especially if its grass fed. Many people have gotten better on a keto or carnivore diet. Or ketovore. It's not only what you are eating but also what you are avoiding! Like nasty toxins! And he tries to say eating meat makes you fat! That is a LIE! You do not get fat from eating grass fed meat. You get very lean. Especially if you are doing keto, ketovore or carnivore.
And right now countless people are suffering with long covid. They can't work and they are losing their jobs. They won't be able to pay their bills or to buy food. So how are they supposed to buy these solar panels?
I read Socrates yesterday. He was talking about society. He said that money was evil (more or less) and that people needed self control. Virtue. They should not want fame or power or personal advancement. But the rich people running society like those things. And they want more. Because no matter how much money they have they are not satisfied. And one needs to do something about the ones in charge, about these countless companies that are destroying the environment with chemicals and pollution. Because even if a few people do put solar panels on their roof it won't stop the constant stream of stinky fumes coming from a company's chimney or the chemicals going into the river.
They are hooked on money and you can't make money off of fields of pretty flowers.
The real problem is with society and how it is set up. Its for profit. To get rich. And the rich don't care about the environment. Because they can't make money off of it. But they can make money off of gas and oil. And that is not even including the other natural disasters: like cutting down trees (make money) or making those nasty chemicals (make more money) and grow GMO crops that is sprayed with Roundup (make yet more money)... But you don't make money by NOT doing these things. And those companies want more money. And if you get sick from the chemicals on the food, well, they make money from that too! Drugs! And lately I have read many articles about those Forever Chemicals being on land and the land is now useless. And it gets into people's blood too. I suppose then they'd sell you a drug to fix that!
But this book doesn't really offer any practical solutions. It often repeats stuff too.
I walk almost everywhere I go. But I am the only person who does that. Everyone else around here has a car. They drive everywhere. One person in a car. He talks about that in the book - cars. But he does not say how do you stop people from doing that. And most people are incapable of walking even a few miles. They are in bad shape. They do not have any endurance. But it is also the culture. It's a car culture. But what are these people going to do one day when the gas is gone?
Then he talks about being vegetarian. I do not agree with that. Many people these days have serious stomach issues and the only things they CAN eat is grass fed meat. Plus meat has all the nutrients you need. Maybe if companies wouldn't have been spraying crops with Roundup for years and years we wouldn't have these gut problems but they were and we do. And vegetables do not supply B vitamins. Plus hoofed animals are actually better for the environment. I have read they stop the permafrost from melting. Read it in that book the other year about bringing back the wooly mammoth.
And what had happened to him when he was a vegetarian? He got liver issues and yellow skin! The Dalai Lama I mean! He says so right in here. Being a vegetarian made him sick yet he is telling other people to do it too! That is stupid to me. Why would you recommend a diet that gave you liver issues? He had to go back to eating meat!
Meat heals. Especially if its grass fed. Many people have gotten better on a keto or carnivore diet. Or ketovore. It's not only what you are eating but also what you are avoiding! Like nasty toxins! And he tries to say eating meat makes you fat! That is a LIE! You do not get fat from eating grass fed meat. You get very lean. Especially if you are doing keto, ketovore or carnivore.
And right now countless people are suffering with long covid. They can't work and they are losing their jobs. They won't be able to pay their bills or to buy food. So how are they supposed to buy these solar panels?
I read Socrates yesterday. He was talking about society. He said that money was evil (more or less) and that people needed self control. Virtue. They should not want fame or power or personal advancement. But the rich people running society like those things. And they want more. Because no matter how much money they have they are not satisfied. And one needs to do something about the ones in charge, about these countless companies that are destroying the environment with chemicals and pollution. Because even if a few people do put solar panels on their roof it won't stop the constant stream of stinky fumes coming from a company's chimney or the chemicals going into the river.
They are hooked on money and you can't make money off of fields of pretty flowers.
July 26, 2024
I am always deeply impressed with the Dalai Lama's intellect and this book continued to solidify my admiration for His Holiness' love of learning and desire to promote ethics about everything everywhere.
However, the largest failing of this book is that the Dalai Lama's voice barely makes its way through as scant, forgotten garnish in Franz Alt's ham-fisted, greasy, bland doom casserole. Actual content from the Dalai Lama is maybe 15-20% of the book and the rest is Alt being a celebrity hypeman and town cryer ringing his annoying bell saying, "1 o'clock and all is awful!"
Yeah Alt, we know it's all awful! Most of us are very aware that mankind is (and virtually always has been) deeply unethical in its treatment of the environment. That's not news and it's not a fresh perspective. We already know that Greta Thunberg and many other young people are increasingly exasperated with the lack of ethical environmental action by corporations and politicians. WE KNOW! (Cue Disney Hercules' 3 Fates)
We don't need to be beaten over the head with the concept that there's a problem. We need help finding solutions that are ethical, feasible, and as close to self sustaining as possible. Including: how do we ethically motivate world leaders who don't care that humanity's house is on fire because they already have a solid gold getaway car and safehouse mansion and a 'let them eat cake' perspective?
Solar, wind and hydro power (as they currently are) are NOT without ethical dilemmas. Fewer perhaps, but we still need additional solutions with global/local scopes and more global/local support than we currently have. Solar, wind and hydro are better and can certainly be part of making things better, but they can't prevent unethical environmental activities and perhaps that's the bigger problem.
Yes we need to find different energy sources than coal, oil, gas, etc. and the switch needs to be in forward motion NOW, not on paper as a TBD in 20 years. No argument there. But if we switch to other unethical or unsustainable practices, then we're only moving laterally, if that.
The fact is, corporations and politicians won't do anything until they see that it benefits bottom lines, votes and corporate growth in the next 50-100 years, long-term consequences be darned. Is that unethical? Yes, and they don't care, that's the problem. Just as you can't reason with someone who is unreasonable, you can't appeal to one's humanity if they don't value it.
Businesses and governments do not operate with the furthering of human ethics as their primary goal (if it's a goal at all) and trying to appeal to leaders as if they do is evidently fruitless. Ok, well now I'm doing the same thing as Alt and just venting rather than actually bringing anything to the table. Touche.
I'm so frustrated that Alt would slap His Holiness' name on the cover in hopes of attracting a bigger audience to his uninspired soapbox ranting. The writing comes across as if written by a frantic prepper rather than an experienced journalist. Maybe something was lost in translation? His interview with the Dalai Lama is embarrassing. It reads like a paparazzi trying to gain web traction in someone else's movie promo tour. Mortifying lack of sources, references or any actionable suggestions for the common people to promote human ethics.
So happy to get a tiny spoonful of the Dalai Lama's wisdom, but so frustrated with Alt's woeful mishandling of the material.
However, the largest failing of this book is that the Dalai Lama's voice barely makes its way through as scant, forgotten garnish in Franz Alt's ham-fisted, greasy, bland doom casserole. Actual content from the Dalai Lama is maybe 15-20% of the book and the rest is Alt being a celebrity hypeman and town cryer ringing his annoying bell saying, "1 o'clock and all is awful!"
Yeah Alt, we know it's all awful! Most of us are very aware that mankind is (and virtually always has been) deeply unethical in its treatment of the environment. That's not news and it's not a fresh perspective. We already know that Greta Thunberg and many other young people are increasingly exasperated with the lack of ethical environmental action by corporations and politicians. WE KNOW! (Cue Disney Hercules' 3 Fates)
We don't need to be beaten over the head with the concept that there's a problem. We need help finding solutions that are ethical, feasible, and as close to self sustaining as possible. Including: how do we ethically motivate world leaders who don't care that humanity's house is on fire because they already have a solid gold getaway car and safehouse mansion and a 'let them eat cake' perspective?
Solar, wind and hydro power (as they currently are) are NOT without ethical dilemmas. Fewer perhaps, but we still need additional solutions with global/local scopes and more global/local support than we currently have. Solar, wind and hydro are better and can certainly be part of making things better, but they can't prevent unethical environmental activities and perhaps that's the bigger problem.
Yes we need to find different energy sources than coal, oil, gas, etc. and the switch needs to be in forward motion NOW, not on paper as a TBD in 20 years. No argument there. But if we switch to other unethical or unsustainable practices, then we're only moving laterally, if that.
The fact is, corporations and politicians won't do anything until they see that it benefits bottom lines, votes and corporate growth in the next 50-100 years, long-term consequences be darned. Is that unethical? Yes, and they don't care, that's the problem. Just as you can't reason with someone who is unreasonable, you can't appeal to one's humanity if they don't value it.
Businesses and governments do not operate with the furthering of human ethics as their primary goal (if it's a goal at all) and trying to appeal to leaders as if they do is evidently fruitless. Ok, well now I'm doing the same thing as Alt and just venting rather than actually bringing anything to the table. Touche.
I'm so frustrated that Alt would slap His Holiness' name on the cover in hopes of attracting a bigger audience to his uninspired soapbox ranting. The writing comes across as if written by a frantic prepper rather than an experienced journalist. Maybe something was lost in translation? His interview with the Dalai Lama is embarrassing. It reads like a paparazzi trying to gain web traction in someone else's movie promo tour. Mortifying lack of sources, references or any actionable suggestions for the common people to promote human ethics.
So happy to get a tiny spoonful of the Dalai Lama's wisdom, but so frustrated with Alt's woeful mishandling of the material.
December 19, 2021
A big message in a small book.
Our Planet Earth is under a threat. It is the only Home we and we must start acting responsibly to leave a better world for the future generations.
For a very long time, this message has been presented to us in different forms.
Yet, we stubbornly and conveniently ignore it. We can't turn a blind eye to the gruesome damage we are doing to our Planet.
This book discussed the Dalai Lama's philosophy about a greener world, his thoughts on how Buddhism and Tibet as a country had and has nature at its center.
The author Franz Alt has done a fine job of interviewing the Holiness.
However, the frequent mentions of Greta Thunberg seem unnecessary. It felt like this was the agenda of the book - to create a strong recall for her name.
In today's context, no book or material about climate change would be complete without a mention of her name. However, it seems like we have forgotten or have overlooked several individuals who have gone to extremities to save Mother Earth from exploitation.
Sad that no mention of Severn Cullis-Suzuki whose speech at the 1992 UN conference was way ahead of its time found no mention in the book.
Similarly, the Chipko movement, or Chipko Andolan, was a forest conservation movement in India that was not mentioned at all in the book. It went on to become a rallying point for many future environmental movements all over the world. Similar movements are not mentioned in the book.
Of course, it is the author's choice to choose what to speak about and what to ignore. But, when talking about a universally topic like climate change, one must not show bias. India and the Asian countries (especially Bangladesh) have been portrayed as bad children of Mother Nature. This bias is commonplace amidst European and British authors who can see only flaws and are blind to goodness in these countries.
Also, the book has Dalai Lama on the cover and is titled to give the impression that it is Dalai Lama who is leading the conversation. On the contrary, it is Franz Alt who is dominating the conversation with tricky questions that will make anyone, let alone Dalai Lama make some controversial statements. Also, the content gets over-repetitive.
Despite its minor flaws, this is a book that really delivers its message.
Mother Earth is running a fever and she is on strike. We have nowhere else to go. Better change our ways, or be prepared to face the wrath of nature, which we have no chance against.
I am thankful for this book because it has kindled in me the urge to change my lifestyle - one that is more closer to nature. I want to leave a better world for the future and as an individual, I can make a difference.
Our Planet Earth is under a threat. It is the only Home we and we must start acting responsibly to leave a better world for the future generations.
For a very long time, this message has been presented to us in different forms.
Yet, we stubbornly and conveniently ignore it. We can't turn a blind eye to the gruesome damage we are doing to our Planet.
This book discussed the Dalai Lama's philosophy about a greener world, his thoughts on how Buddhism and Tibet as a country had and has nature at its center.
The author Franz Alt has done a fine job of interviewing the Holiness.
However, the frequent mentions of Greta Thunberg seem unnecessary. It felt like this was the agenda of the book - to create a strong recall for her name.
In today's context, no book or material about climate change would be complete without a mention of her name. However, it seems like we have forgotten or have overlooked several individuals who have gone to extremities to save Mother Earth from exploitation.
Sad that no mention of Severn Cullis-Suzuki whose speech at the 1992 UN conference was way ahead of its time found no mention in the book.
Similarly, the Chipko movement, or Chipko Andolan, was a forest conservation movement in India that was not mentioned at all in the book. It went on to become a rallying point for many future environmental movements all over the world. Similar movements are not mentioned in the book.
Of course, it is the author's choice to choose what to speak about and what to ignore. But, when talking about a universally topic like climate change, one must not show bias. India and the Asian countries (especially Bangladesh) have been portrayed as bad children of Mother Nature. This bias is commonplace amidst European and British authors who can see only flaws and are blind to goodness in these countries.
Also, the book has Dalai Lama on the cover and is titled to give the impression that it is Dalai Lama who is leading the conversation. On the contrary, it is Franz Alt who is dominating the conversation with tricky questions that will make anyone, let alone Dalai Lama make some controversial statements. Also, the content gets over-repetitive.
Despite its minor flaws, this is a book that really delivers its message.
Mother Earth is running a fever and she is on strike. We have nowhere else to go. Better change our ways, or be prepared to face the wrath of nature, which we have no chance against.
I am thankful for this book because it has kindled in me the urge to change my lifestyle - one that is more closer to nature. I want to leave a better world for the future and as an individual, I can make a difference.
October 11, 2024
Franz Alt made a lot of mistakes with this book. Yes, what he said about climate change was true, it is harmful in many ways in which he described. However, this is not a book written by the Dalai Lama, which is terribly upsetting since His Holiness’ name and photo is plastered in large font on the cover. This book was straight from Franz Alt, with a short interview segment with the Dalai Lama. Then, it was immediately back to Franz Alt’s comments on the effects of climate change. It is frustrating that he would use that as a lever to lure more readers in, believing that they would be getting insight from Dalai Lama. Another thing I was disappointed with was how this book was a poor guide towards young climate activists, which was one of the initial goals stated towards the beginning of the book. I can see this book as making a young activist angry and want to strive to make change, but will not be able to carry out the transformations they want to. The end of this book felt extremely rushed due to Alt’s last second decision to try and cram all of the ways the reader can help into so little pages. One last thing I will say and repeat is, this is in no way shape or form a book written by the Dalai Lama.
November 9, 2022
Well-put, succinct, thoughtful, and inspiring. Definitely a worthwhile read (or listen, in my case) but definitely not revolutionary. I thought it was a really interesting perspective on religious connections with political and social issues, and the Dalai Lama's sections about his opinions and experiences were definitely credible and valuable, but, with little context on the other author, his constant additions and large closure at the end were almost unwelcome and somewhat dry for the purpose of the book. Additionally, I thought it was a little over-idealized, stating that finding inner peace could solve climate change (I may be jumping a few stated steps, but not many), which is great in the small scale and a wonderful touch of optimism in the face of climate doom, but, overall, came off a little unrealistic. Regardless, it was an interesting and quick piece and definitely worth a couple hours or a hundred or so pages if you have the time and the interest.
December 17, 2022
Climate change is an important topic, but this book doesn't do much for me. The book is actually written through the lens of Franz Alt, with Dalai Lama's voice only interspersed in a conversation in the middle section of the book. And even in the conversation, it is Franz who mainly speaks. He doesn't ask open-ended questions, and leads the conversation too much.
There is too much cognitive dissonance in the book, for example a meat-eater recommending a plant-based diet. While it's important to not only think about yourself, the book also mentions "future generations" way too often, and does not even touch on overpopulation, which is one of the biggest threats to our planet.
People who read this book already have an understanding of climate change. Therefore, it doesn't teach anything new. Unfortunately, the people who actually have something to learn about saving the world, are not going to be interested in reading this book.
There is too much cognitive dissonance in the book, for example a meat-eater recommending a plant-based diet. While it's important to not only think about yourself, the book also mentions "future generations" way too often, and does not even touch on overpopulation, which is one of the biggest threats to our planet.
People who read this book already have an understanding of climate change. Therefore, it doesn't teach anything new. Unfortunately, the people who actually have something to learn about saving the world, are not going to be interested in reading this book.
March 22, 2021
Even though the Dalai Lama is one of the authors of this book, and his picture is on the cover, the book is dominated by Franz Alt, as another reviewer pointed out. Although Dalai Lama is clearly pained by the damage we inflicted on nature, his voice is loving and hopeful, whereas Franz Alt’s voice sounds bitter and accusational. I agree that we humans, particularly Westerners, are to blame for the climate crisis, but right now we need to inspire hope, rather than guilt to motivate more people to vouch for sustainability and change their lifestyles.
Additionally, the book misleadingly states that we have all the required technologies to meet our energy demands, and the transition is easy. The truth is that it is in no way easy to make such a colossal change in technology, rethink growth-dependent economy, all the while maneuvering among various powers in politics and society.
Additionally, the book misleadingly states that we have all the required technologies to meet our energy demands, and the transition is easy. The truth is that it is in no way easy to make such a colossal change in technology, rethink growth-dependent economy, all the while maneuvering among various powers in politics and society.
August 13, 2022
A powerful call to action from the Dalai Lama and journalist Franz Alt as they implore the world’s political leaders to do the right thing and create meaningful climate policy before it’s too late. Holding up young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg as a beacon for the cause of environmental sustainability for her generation, they echo her impassioned plea that the older generation must protect future generations by repairing the damage that has been done by greed, ignorance and the mismanagement of the world’s limited resources. The sense of urgency is palpable here but also a sincere hope that by remembering our inner connectedness with all of life on earth, we can find the will and the cooperative spirit needed for this daunting task.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews