Book Review
The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Futures from the Frontiers of Climate Science, by Paul Behrens, London, Indigo Press, 2020, 346 pp. ISBN: 978-1-911648-09-3.
Deeply researched, remarkably accessible and comprehensive, The Best of Times is a treatise of the deteriorating social and physical systems of our world. Particularly critical structures include climate, racism, politics, energy, economies, food, information, and the media. Uniquely qualified to address the cross-disciplinary threads of our planetary crises, Behrens categorizes a bundle of wicked problems now facing the human race. Providing context and perspective, this book points to several examples of where inequality has led to collapse of civilizations. A vast set of complex objectives are set out which we must meet in a crucially brief and shrinking timespan. As the author has stated on social media, he emphatically provides no “sugar coating.”
Assessing our current place in the Anthropocene, Behrens covers our nine planetary boundaries* ̶ but also provides solid ideas for fixing many of our existential dilemmas. Natural solutions and reorganization of existing international structures are essential; one key proposal is overhauling the global economy. In addition to exploring mitigation options, such as carbon sequestration, the author also addresses related issues e.g., migration, peak human population, and technological lock-ins.
While The Best of Times reflects a passion for the roles activism and equality play in achieving this agenda, there is no question we need a level of worldwide cooperation we have yet to imagine. Fear, greed, and authoritarian institutions are just a few of our major roadblocks. Although the bleakness of our predicament is an overarching theme, this book embraces a powerful message of hope. A more equitable and liveable future is possible and we must take up these urgent and unprecedented challenges with our hearts, minds, and bodies. To this reviewer, the value here is a pragmatic inventory of our obstacles ̶ leading readers to prioritize and laser focus their energy and resources where they may most successfully contribute.
*Three (3) regulating systems: climate, ozone layer, and ocean. Moderated by four (4) thresholds: biodiversity, land, freshwater and nutrients. Plus novel entities and aerosols. We have already surpassed four (4) of these nine (9) precipices ̶ climate, biodiversity, land, and nutrient use.
Liisa Antilla Kellems
Environmental Geographer
Seattle, WA USA
OneBlueWorld.blogspot.com
