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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Losing Earth summary
Nathaniel Rich
A Recent History
23 mins
Brief summary
"Losing Earth" by Nathaniel Rich is a historical account of the decade-long period from 1979 to 1989, during which the world lost its chance to stop climate change. The book offers insight on the political, economic and social factors that interfered with the negotiations towards a global climate treaty.
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Losing Earth
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Key idea 1 of 7
Scientists have demanded action on climate change for longer than you think.
The site: Geneva, Switzerland. Dozens of prominent scientists from all the world’s major powers have gathered for the first World Climate Conference. Their message is clear: industrial activity is drastically elevating the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If humanity wants to avoid disaster, we need to act now.
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It could almost be a headline from this morning’s news. But this event didn’t happen yesterday or even last year. It happened in 1979.
The truth is, we’ve long understood the threat of man-made climate change. For decades, scientists have known of the causes, the disastrous effects, and how to avoid them. But, despite their efforts, we have failed to make the necessary changes.
The key message here is: Scientists have demanded action on climate change for longer than you think.
We can trace the modern push to stop climate change back to 1979. This was the year that Rafe Pomerance, an environmentalist working for Friends of the Earth, stumbled upon a startling report. It was put out by the Jasons, a scientific think tank led by geophysicist Gordon MacDonald.
The report claimed that human activity was on track to doubling the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It predicted that this change would set off a greenhouse effect, raising global temperatures and causing widespread ecological disruption. It was a nightmare scenario but based on solid arguments.
Alarmed, Pomerance contacted MacDonald. The two decided to use their connections in government to push for drastic change to avoid this fate. Over the next few months, they met with everyone they could in Washington. They talked with congressmen, the National Security Council, even senior staff of the president’s Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The response was reassuring. The officials seemed to take the threat seriously. By July, Jule Charney, a leading meteorologist, organized a conference of top scientific minds to address the issue. And at the conference, NASA scientist Jim Hansen presented detailed computer models confirming the predictions made by Pomerance and MacDonald.
The result of this collaboration was a final report, sometimes called The Charney Report, titled Carbon Dioxide and Climate: A Scientific Assessment. It synthesized all the known variables into a clear narrative: If nothing changed, the world’s average temperature would go up three degrees. The results would be disastrous.
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What is Losing Earth about?
Losing Earth (2019) tells the story of climate change, both as a scientific fact and as a political conflict. This detailed piece of long-form reporting recounts the scientific community’s early push to raise the alarm about climate change and the coordinated effort the fossil fuel industry made to thwart those warnings.
Losing Earth Review
Losing Earth by Nathaniel Rich (2019) is a must-read for anyone concerned about the climate crisis. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- Presenting a compelling narrative of the crucial decade from 1979 to 1989, it offers a deep understanding of the missed opportunities to address global warming.
- With meticulous research and interviews with key players, the book presents a comprehensive analysis of the political, economic, and social factors that hindered progress.
- The urgency it conveys leaves no room for indifference; it serves as a timely reminder that our actions today are shaping the future of our planet.
Best quote from Losing Earth
The balloon could be patched, the eggshell bandaged, the ceiling replastered. There was still time.
—Nathaniel Rich
Who should read Losing Earth?
- Environmentalists eager to understand their enemy
- Political moderates needing a dose of reality
- Anyone concerned about the future of Earth
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Losing Earth FAQs
What is the main message of Losing Earth?
Losing Earth sends a powerful message about the urgency of addressing climate change and the consequences of inaction.
How long does it take to read Losing Earth?
The reading time for Losing Earth varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Losing Earth a good book? Is it worth reading?
Losing Earth is a must-read for everyone concerned about climate change. It sheds light on past failures and offers valuable insights for the future.
Who is the author of Losing Earth?
The author of Losing Earth is Nathaniel Rich.
What to read after Losing Earth?
If you're wondering what to read next after Losing Earth, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- A World Without Ice by Henry Pollack
- Farmageddon by Philip Lymbery with Isabel Oakeshott
- The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg
- The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells
- The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss
- The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman
- And Then We Rise by Common
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell