March 14, 2008

Book Review - Plan B 3.0

Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization
Lester R. Brown
HC 79 .E5 B7596 2008

Brown believes that the human race has set in motion a process in which the environmental changes that the earth is undergoing threaten to destroy civilization. He asks his readers, "Have we reached the tipping point?" Brown asserts that little time remains and that we must act now, drastically changing our behavior to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, find alternate sources of energy, replant forests to use excess carbon dioxide, and reverse global warming. In the first part of his book, Brown presents a detailed analysis of environmental changes that threaten the world. In the second part, he presents "Plan B"--drastic changes in the way that humans consume energy and foodstuffs necessary to halt and even reverse the current environmental trends and other factors that threaten human existence. Part three, serves as both a conclusion to his analysis and proposed solution, but also a hypothetical look at possible positive outcomes for society if Plan B were adopted. This is a very thought provoking book that asks readers to think about environmental issues not on their own, but as inextricably linked to society, human behavior, and global survival.