I have read two books on the same topic over the last week that could not have been more different.
Book 1.) The Green Collar Economy by Van Jones
Book 2.) Hot, Flat and Crowded, by Thomas Friedman
First off let me say I absolutely agree with the concept we need a green revolution to save this country, it is going to be painful, it is going to be expensive, but the consequences of not doing it are even greater. I am not a hard sell on this topic I am already buying.
With that said I am glad that I got book one at the library because if I bought it I would have been pissed. I don't mind a little bit of extravagant dooms days language to make your point I mean you are trying to sell it but give me a break. The causality in this book scared me. (If we have a green revolution we can reverse racism?, the proportion of income that CEO's make compared to employees? Make the entire world fair again? What? We are facing run-a-way global warming.....data? At least a note something? Human nature to dominate and control is not going to dissipate just because we harness the power of the wind.
I don't mind opted ed pieces I write them all of the time but this book was an opt ed piece disguised as research.
Book 2 was a little better. I am a luke warm Friedman fan, but I think it was a much more comprehensive look at the subject. I especially enjoyed the part about how utility companies work, something I have never thought about before this was fascinating to me. From coal to my outlet..Kind of blew my mind But I digress.
Both books did mention one other thing that really caught my eye about how Jimmy Carter started all of these green projects in the 70's even to the extent of installing solar panels on the white house (Which Regan immediately removed and cut funding for) I wonder if republicans will think differently after reading it?
The winner between the two books.................Friedman, although I wasn't particulary inspired by either of them at least after reading this I have a clearer view of the problem and what it is going to take to solve it.
4 comments:
I'm curious - what three major changes are you going to make to help change things?
Over the past year here are the action steps I have taken...now I know none of these are earth shattering but hey it is a start.
1.) Installed a hi efficiency water heater...save me cash and reduces energy consumption.
2.) Replaced all the bulbs in my house with energy efficient light bulb.
3.) Signed up with my energy company to make sure a certain percent of my energy comes from wind.
4.) Quit smoking.
5.) Voted.
6.) Educating myself and others.
7.) Tried to design a decorative solar panel for retail sale.
8.) Started walking my fat ass to the store while using my reusable bags.
Thanks for the heads-up. I know what I'm buying next time I hit Barnes and Nobles.
Me and my Honda thank you :)
The world is not fair. Period. I hate books that essentially say that everything will be fair. I find the executives salary argument too easy to make--they are the big bad guys raking in the dough right? Well they are also at the helm of companies and whose strategy and decision making largely leads to the performance or failure of these companies. Take that and multiply times job security risk (very high risk for executives, hence the golden parachutes). I don't agree with the degree of the salaries and bonuses, but these guys aren't writing a little bit of code, they are steering an oil rigger.
And I nearly lost my sh*t when you said that the green revolution would "solve" racism. Whatever!
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