The World's Best Book Summaries
Is farming good or bad for the land? How has agriculture changed the world’s landscape? The human race has left a mark on our planet. In The World Without Us, science journalist Alan Weisman investigates that mark, including the impact of agriculture on the environment. He takes a historical look back and a speculative look forward to see what would happen if human activities ceased. Read more to learn how farming impacts the Earth.
Is the weather more extreme these days? Why are sea levels rising? Are we headed for a climate apocalypse? Former energy industry scientist Steven E. Koonin contends that climate activists have misled the public into thinking there’s proof that our actions have led to global warming and possible climate catastrophe. On the contrary, Koonin argues that the facts about climate change are far from certain. Keep reading to learn how Koonin dispels three significant misconceptions about climate change.
Is carbon neutrality a realistic goal? What would it take to get there? As we look for solutions to climate change, the elimination of carbon emissions seems to be near the top of everyone’s list. However, this is not a practical solution, at least for now. That’s the view of former energy industry scientist Steven E. Koonin. Read on to learn why Koonin believes we must accept the reality of our reliance on fossil fuels.
How do human activities affect the environment? Which is more harmful—farms or cities? What’s the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? The human race has left a mark on our planet, sometimes through carelessness and sometimes by design. In The World Without Us, science journalist Alan Weisman outlines several ways that humanity impacts the environment: agriculture, cities, power, waste, and pollution. Keep reading to learn about the human ecological footprint.
How should we deal with climate change and its impact? What’s actually realistic? Because of the distortion of climate science, Steven E. Koonin argues that many governments have endorsed impractical responses to climate change. In his book Unsettled, he proposes alternative responses to mitigate and adapt to climate change and its effects. Continue reading to learn Koonin’s practical climate mitigation and adaptation proposals.
Do you have a good handle on the state of the world? Are things worse than ever? By almost any measure, there’s never been a better time to be alive than right now. That’s the belief of Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, and Anna Rosling Rönnlund. Their book Factfulness explores the misconceptions that color our view of the world. Continue reading for several Factfulness questions that will test your knowledge and adjust your thinking.
Is Europe’s gas shortage over or is another energy crisis on the way? Why do experts’ viewpoints differ on this issue? Last November, Europe appeared on the brink of an energy crisis, facing a shortage of natural gas as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global supply and distribution. Now, some say that Europe not only weathered the storm but put itself in a stronger energy position than ever—but others don’t readily agree. Read on to learn if Europe’s gas shortage is truly over or if another energy crisis is on the horizon.
Who are the power elite in America? What institutions wield influence over nearly everything? In The Power Elite, sociologist C. Wright Mills discusses how a small group of leaders has taken over a vast majority of American political and economic decision-making. He defines the power elite—who they are and how they operate—and he identifies the three institutions where the power elite emerged. Keep reading to learn who these people are and how they’ve consolidated their power.
What’s the “executive class”? How did corporations in the United States get so powerful? In The Power Elite, C. Wright Mills discusses how influential institutions came to control a majority of wealth and power in America. Corporations are one of the three main institutions where Mills believes the power elite developed. Mills explores the process by which their influence solidified over the years. Read more to learn about the subtle rise of the corporate elite in America.
How does poverty affect one’s cognitive functioning? What are the psychological consequences of never having enough money? Poverty takes a huge toll on one’s cognitive capacity. Poor people are so preoccupied with stretching their money that they don’t have any mental bandwidth to focus on anything else. The cognitive effects of poverty should be tackled on the institutional level. Here are some recommended poverty alleviation programs from Scarcity.