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Hack the Planet: Science's Best Hope -- or Worst Nightmare -- for Averting Climate Catastrophe
An inside tour of the incredible—and probably dangerous—plans to counteract the effects of climate change through experiments that range from the plausible to the fantastic David Battisti had arrived in Cambridge expecting a bloodbath. So had many of the other scientists who had joined him for an invitation-only workshop on climate science in 2007, with geoengineering at the top of the agenda. We can't take deliberately altering the atmosphere seriously, he thought, because there’s no way we'll ever know enough to control it. But by the second day, with bad climate news piling on bad climate news, he was having second thoughts. When the scientists voted in a straw poll on whether to support geoengineering research, Battisti, filled with fear about the future, voted in favor. While the pernicious effects of global warming are clear, efforts to reduce the carbon emissions that cause it have fallen far short of what’s needed. Some scientists have started exploring more direct and radical ways to cool the planet, such as:
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 25, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 21, 2013
Do you think regulating carbon emissions worldwide is a lost cause? Well, don’t worry about it because there are a few scientists and a lot of politicians who agree, and like Dr. Strangelove, they have a plan! Just fix the atmosphere and ocean, so we can continue our merry way burning fossil fuels and destroying ecosystems. Then a privileged few will enjoy life within climate controlled superdomes, and to heck with those who can’t afford a seat at the game. 'Hack the Planet' discusses two methods of surviving climate mayhem. Unfortunately, they are presented as polarities. On one end, reduce carbon emissions via enforceable, economic regulation, and restore our ecosystems to health with green technology – a formidable task when seeking global cooperation; and on the other end, futuristic technological solutions to diffuse the effects of a greenhouse atmosphere with ‘hands-on’ climate warping like reflective cloud-seeding and forcing ocean algae blooms. Why spend money to regulate a green planet, when we can just fix it, and continue to sell oil?
Kintisch’s research is packed with quotes from prominent scientists and environmental movement leaders from our long history of tinkering with climate control. Unfortunately, so many quotes often get in the way of what Kintisch is trying to tell us. Still, eventually, we’re left with the key words ‘control’ and ‘consequences'. Both are the nightmare of climate warping schemes, which is why we haven’t seen more of them. Kintisch may call it hacking, whereas others may call it developing climate software. A green planet without burning fossil fuels is still the goal, and that vision will become a reality. Perhaps it’s time to practice an efficient green life, and maybe tinker a little, too.
Kintisch’s research is packed with quotes from prominent scientists and environmental movement leaders from our long history of tinkering with climate control. Unfortunately, so many quotes often get in the way of what Kintisch is trying to tell us. Still, eventually, we’re left with the key words ‘control’ and ‘consequences'. Both are the nightmare of climate warping schemes, which is why we haven’t seen more of them. Kintisch may call it hacking, whereas others may call it developing climate software. A green planet without burning fossil fuels is still the goal, and that vision will become a reality. Perhaps it’s time to practice an efficient green life, and maybe tinker a little, too.
December 11, 2013
Its a well know fact that CO2 levels in the atmosphere are rising. But did you know americans use enough energy to release about 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year each?! That’s alot. And it’s adding up very quickly.
This book basically takes place during a meeting. However much of the book doesn’t really have a set main character. It explains alot of different experiments done to find ways reduce global warming. This happens for most of the book. There is not really any solid plot. This story consists mostly of numerous intriguing experiments. One of which includes putting reflective pollution in the air to reflect sunlight away from the earth to cool the surrounding atmosphere. Another experiment done was trying to fertilize the ocean so algie could grow better. The algae would suck CO2 out of the air.
This book was really fun to read, but not in the usual way I find books fun. This book was fun to read because it was cool to learn about all of the efforts being done to find a way to get rid of the pollution in our planet’s thickening atmosphere. It also is kind of scary, because its going on right now. The world is rapidly getting more and more polluted. Research is being done on this issue. You can read about some of the experiments in this book!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. This book doesn’t really have any solid plot. It was a little hard to read sometimes. I’d really only read it if you’re really into Geo-engineering.
This book basically takes place during a meeting. However much of the book doesn’t really have a set main character. It explains alot of different experiments done to find ways reduce global warming. This happens for most of the book. There is not really any solid plot. This story consists mostly of numerous intriguing experiments. One of which includes putting reflective pollution in the air to reflect sunlight away from the earth to cool the surrounding atmosphere. Another experiment done was trying to fertilize the ocean so algie could grow better. The algae would suck CO2 out of the air.
This book was really fun to read, but not in the usual way I find books fun. This book was fun to read because it was cool to learn about all of the efforts being done to find a way to get rid of the pollution in our planet’s thickening atmosphere. It also is kind of scary, because its going on right now. The world is rapidly getting more and more polluted. Research is being done on this issue. You can read about some of the experiments in this book!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. This book doesn’t really have any solid plot. It was a little hard to read sometimes. I’d really only read it if you’re really into Geo-engineering.
November 23, 2015
Eli Kintisch's Hack The Planet provides a bird's-eye view of the emerging field of intentional weather modification. The author goes from one planethacking method to the other and provides excellent historical context along the way. The core ideas are solar radiation management, sometimes referred to as SRM, which involves carefully controlling the amount of sunlight that enters the atmosphere, and carbon sequestering techniques such as promoting algae growth or even removing it directly from the air through various means. I really liked the fact that the author actually reached out to the people who are studying geoengineering like Harvard professor David Keith and geochemist Ken Caldeira from the Carnegie Institution and let them speak for themselves about both the scientific and political aspects of the controversial science.
July 2, 2010
In “Hack the Planet” author Eli Kintisch examines the issue of planet-wide geoengineering as a means to address the problems posed by global warming.
There are many unknowns in climate science. The earth’s atmosphere is a complicated system that is made more complex by the fact that many of its constituent parts are interrelated in ways that are not well understood. What is known with a high degree of certainty is that CO2 (and other green house gases) warm the atmosphere and that human activity has increased the concentration of these compounds. There is also compelling evidence which points to a warming planet. What is not known is whether we could push the planet past a tipping point that could change the climate in ways that could have devastating consequences for the planet’s inhabitants.
Given the magnitude and scope of the problem and the fact that humans either are unwilling or unable to respond to the threat, should scientists investigate technological means to address the issue? Kintisch does quite a good job investigating the problem and he strikes the right tone in recognizing that the choices we now face through our ignorance and inaction are bad ones. The use of geoengineering to address global warming could have severe and unintended consequences, the best that can be said is that it might be somewhat less disastrous than continuing along the course we are now on. At the same time, technology may represent an important backstop, and therefore should be pursued in tandem with solutions which actually address the real problem by reducing CO2 emissions.
Kintisch also looks at the political motivations behind the right-wings endorsement of geoengineering in place of CO2 reductions. As their initial position of global warming as a ‘hoax’ has continued to be eroded by the science to the point of becoming untenable, the idea of geoengineering allows them to retain their ideological position that nothing should be done to reduce emissions while at the same time proffering what might appear to some as a solution. When sowing seeds of doubt has failed, delay becomes the next best option (as we’ve seen time and time again with seat belts, air bags, cigarette smoking, leaded gasoline and other such issues).
My only criticism of the book stems from Kintisch’s use of the term “planet-hacking”, a term that strikes me as inaccurate and irksome (oddly enough, another book is on the market by Jamais Cascio called “Hacking the Earth” uses the identical term). We don’t call mechanics “automobile-hackers” or dentists “tooth-hackers”, or proctologists “ass-hackers” (thank goodness). Let’s hope this phrase dies the quiet death it justly deserves.
There are many unknowns in climate science. The earth’s atmosphere is a complicated system that is made more complex by the fact that many of its constituent parts are interrelated in ways that are not well understood. What is known with a high degree of certainty is that CO2 (and other green house gases) warm the atmosphere and that human activity has increased the concentration of these compounds. There is also compelling evidence which points to a warming planet. What is not known is whether we could push the planet past a tipping point that could change the climate in ways that could have devastating consequences for the planet’s inhabitants.
Given the magnitude and scope of the problem and the fact that humans either are unwilling or unable to respond to the threat, should scientists investigate technological means to address the issue? Kintisch does quite a good job investigating the problem and he strikes the right tone in recognizing that the choices we now face through our ignorance and inaction are bad ones. The use of geoengineering to address global warming could have severe and unintended consequences, the best that can be said is that it might be somewhat less disastrous than continuing along the course we are now on. At the same time, technology may represent an important backstop, and therefore should be pursued in tandem with solutions which actually address the real problem by reducing CO2 emissions.
Kintisch also looks at the political motivations behind the right-wings endorsement of geoengineering in place of CO2 reductions. As their initial position of global warming as a ‘hoax’ has continued to be eroded by the science to the point of becoming untenable, the idea of geoengineering allows them to retain their ideological position that nothing should be done to reduce emissions while at the same time proffering what might appear to some as a solution. When sowing seeds of doubt has failed, delay becomes the next best option (as we’ve seen time and time again with seat belts, air bags, cigarette smoking, leaded gasoline and other such issues).
My only criticism of the book stems from Kintisch’s use of the term “planet-hacking”, a term that strikes me as inaccurate and irksome (oddly enough, another book is on the market by Jamais Cascio called “Hacking the Earth” uses the identical term). We don’t call mechanics “automobile-hackers” or dentists “tooth-hackers”, or proctologists “ass-hackers” (thank goodness). Let’s hope this phrase dies the quiet death it justly deserves.
September 22, 2012
I stumbled upon the idea of 'Hacking the Planet' back in 2010 when I read "The Fourth Paradigm - Data Intensive Scientific Discovery". That book harkened back to my college 'bull' sessions and when 'ozone' depletion first was reported. I scoffed at the problem and stated, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, "what's the problem, launch a rocket over Antartica and release a bunch of ozone". My comment laid dormant in my mind until I read "The Fourth Paradigm". Shortly after that Mr. Kintisch's came out and I waited for the eBook price to come down. I finally stopped waiting.
While a bit dis-jointed at times if you have an interest in Global Warming you should probably read this book. For the most part it stays away from the politics of Global Warming and focuses on the ideas and technologies currently being researched to reduce or off-set our 'carbon-footprint'. Mr. Kintisch does explain how politics plays a role in what and how real-world experiments take place (or not). Unless your living under a rock you have be aware of the Global Politics of Global Warming.
The best construct of "Hacking the Planet" is when Mr. Kintisch starts every chapter with an example of a small 'hacking' of the planet and it's impact years later. I don't think I spoil the book by mentioning that the last chapter's hack results are beneficial where the previous hacks not so much. This is an effective method of demonstrating risk.
Mr. Kintisch demonstrates that "the side" which thinks Global Warming is not a risk, and humans do not have the ability to change the environment of the world, support 'Hacking the Planet', or at least research and limited experiments. Whereas the side most worried about Global Warming impact and that humans are responsible for it does not support 'Hacking the Planet'; humans have already done too much damage and anything else we do will only make it worse.
My thoughts are, just because I may take medicine that improves my cholesterol numbers does that mean I should eat more bacon (and not change my diet)? I believe Marcus Aurelius would say a combination of both, in moderation, would be the most effective.
While a bit dis-jointed at times if you have an interest in Global Warming you should probably read this book. For the most part it stays away from the politics of Global Warming and focuses on the ideas and technologies currently being researched to reduce or off-set our 'carbon-footprint'. Mr. Kintisch does explain how politics plays a role in what and how real-world experiments take place (or not). Unless your living under a rock you have be aware of the Global Politics of Global Warming.
The best construct of "Hacking the Planet" is when Mr. Kintisch starts every chapter with an example of a small 'hacking' of the planet and it's impact years later. I don't think I spoil the book by mentioning that the last chapter's hack results are beneficial where the previous hacks not so much. This is an effective method of demonstrating risk.
Mr. Kintisch demonstrates that "the side" which thinks Global Warming is not a risk, and humans do not have the ability to change the environment of the world, support 'Hacking the Planet', or at least research and limited experiments. Whereas the side most worried about Global Warming impact and that humans are responsible for it does not support 'Hacking the Planet'; humans have already done too much damage and anything else we do will only make it worse.
My thoughts are, just because I may take medicine that improves my cholesterol numbers does that mean I should eat more bacon (and not change my diet)? I believe Marcus Aurelius would say a combination of both, in moderation, would be the most effective.
Read
June 9, 2010Hack the Planet is a superbly written and reported chronicle of a remarkable story. In just a few years ‘geoengineering’ fixes to climate change–simulating volcanoes, CO2-sucking, cloud-brightening–have gone from crackpot to considered ideas. Eli Kintisch’s book is boundlessly smarter and more deeply researched on this topic than Superfreakonomics. Expect to hear much more in coming years from the planet-hackers–and from Kintisch.
Read
April 26, 2010Watch Bethanne Patrick interview Eli Kintisch about his book Hack the Planet on The Book Studio.
September 13, 2011
This book is good when it's explaining the different geoengineering schemes, but bogs down in personalities and politics.
March 15, 2012
Read the chapter headings in the book store. That will give you all you need to know.
Boring and unimaginative.
Boring and unimaginative.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews