Red Sky at Morning: America and the Crisis of the Global Environment

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, but really more a textbook than action guide
Review: For a book whose main chapters comprise little more than 200
pages, "Red Sky At Morning" is amazingly comprehensive. Written by a
high-level environmentalist in the Carter Administration, (perhaps the
last Administration that really cared about such things), the book
covers many aspects of the environmental state/crisis we are in,
in a style that is always concise, usually with the right amount
of detail (at times too much about policies!), and yet engaging at
the same time.

Because of the author's involvement with environmental
causes from the movement's outset in the late 1960's-early 70's,
the book provides a nice history of the enviromental movement as
well as a deep analysis of problems and solutions that have
worked or not worked. One interesting and obvious point brought out
is that at the beginning the environmental movement could focus on
national issues like pollution and power generation, while inevitably
with globalization the issues have become far more serious, complex,
and contentious. The many successes obtained by the hard-working people
on the national level, aided greatly by the public's outcry for sounder
policies (which today has amazingly deteriorated into widespread apathy),
are much harder to come by on an international level, obviously because
of conflicts with issues like the need for endless economic growth as
well as national sovereignty. And yet we are reminded in the book that
when scientists announced the serious degradation of the ozone layer,
largely by CFC's, the world did unite in the 1980's Montreal Protocol to
relatively quickly take very effective action, such that it appears that
the ozone layer will restore itself by mid-century.

Thus "Red Sky" provides a thorough analysis of the problems we face
today, as well as models and solutions. The author feels that while
there is hope, it is almost too late to effectively resolve the mass of
complex issues of this potentially planetary "holocaust." Yet in the
chapter "Attacking the Root Causes" he provides a very well-thought out
list of eight "transitions to sustainability," such as lowering the
population, reducing poverty by 1/2 by 2015, and creating environmentally
benign technologies. In the chapter entitled "The Most Fundamental
Transition Of All," he discusses what activists like F. Capra wrote
about years ago, the "paradigm shift" to "eco-feminism," working with
and caring for nature rather than conquering it. [I noted my own former
idealism that has turned in part to cynicism as I read this chapter!]

Yet "Red Sky" is really not directed at individuals acting alone
or even in small groups. Its main focus is clearly to reach ingtelligent,
young people who might want to major in environmental studies, and
secondarily open-minded policy makers. Many sections have detailed
policy proposals and guidelines, which is not surprising given the
author's involvement with both governmental departments as well as
NGO's (non-governmental organizations). While I found the many pages
devoted to policy issues very useful in understanding both the way these
organizations work and how intricate the relationships among large-scale
entities must be, I prefer books that are more oriented to individuals and
small organizations, since that is my own orientation. Yet NGO's like WWF
and EDF may be our best hope, and many of them do work on international
issues.

Two areas the author does not cover as well as others are the new fuel
sources like hydrogen (though p. 158 is good), and he also does not mention
organizations like the bioneers whose members have been working on sustainable
solutions since the first warnings about the environment were sounded years
ago, and have devised in many cases very well-thought out (and at deep levels)
solutions to a surprisingly large number of the environmental problems we face
today (he does cite A. Lovins and P. Hawkins, who are assoc. with the group).
And precisely the political process, which the author has been a part of,
has surely been a very strong force against implementing the solutions of
these "anti-establishment" groups, due to obvious money issues.

One book (or at least a web visit) I'd strongly recommend is from p. 160,
the work of Wm. McDonough ("Cradle to Cradle").

The last chapter (available at the book's website for download) is a
mind-boggling compendium of books and web sites (information overload
squared!) which cover the eight transitions to sustainability discussed so
well in the book.

While the author and many reviewers think that it is almost too late
to "save" the environment, I see a lot of positive because of the large
numbers of people and organizations working so diligently to create the
balance we so clearly need between using resources wisely and providing
sustainable lives for the world's enormous population. With public awareness
and a change in politics (when?!), things will improve environmentally.

Rating:
Summary: "We are not powerless . . . "
Review: Readers are often intimidated by the challenges presented by climate change. That's an understandable reaction. The issues are imposing in their scope and complexity, leading us to ask: "What, as an individual, can I do?". That query is substantially answered at the end of this book. There are good reasons to buy this book and turn to the final chapter: "Resources for Citizens". It isn't necessary to read the listings in detail [they're essentially repeated on the website listed on p. 203]. A leisurely survey will indicate the extent of the support readers have to use for learning and deciding on issues to pursue. When you've finished glancing at what help is there for you, turn to page one and start learning why the resources are needed.

Over the years, "Gus" Speth has risen from tactician to senior negotiator in the campaign to combat the effects of human-generated environmental crisis. His experience and ability to impart clearly the history, tactics, successes and failures of the environmental movement are brought to bear in explaining what has been achieved, and what remains to be done. Speth is adamant that many tasks confront us and we'd best get started on them. He explains how the early environmental movement overfocussed on specific topics. Victories, such as the ban on PCBs to reduce the "Ozone Hole" are welcome, but leave both participants and the general public unwarrantedly satisfied. Climate change is too great a realm to overcome by a few successful skirmishes. Fundamental changes are needed - starting with cultural outlook - do you believe your current lifestyle will endure?

Climate change, he reminds us, is a global issue. Hence, a stress on international action is fundamental to addressing the problems. Why, he asks, are there United Nations organisations on health [WHO], food [FAO] and labour [ILO], but none on the environment [WEO]? Such an organisation at the highest level is required for studies, planning and administration. The disparity of pollution generation among nations, especially that of the United States, clearly indicates the richest nations must take the lead in curbing emissions while developing environmentally friendly technologies for developing countries. He points out that some nations have already taken steps that are exportable. Denmark's massive development of wind power is being duplicated in Germany and Spain. Each of these countries, with lower population and resources, already has greater wind energy capacity than the United States.

Offering a programme of eight "transitions" that must be undertaken, he lists population control, poverty elimination, improved technologies, realistic pricing [what are the real costs of pollution and who bears them?], learning and research, and proper governance among his goals. All these are achievable - it merely takes an informed public and leaders to implement them. First and foremost, we must shed the dogma Speth calls FROG - "First Raise Our Growth". This mantra drives thinking in industrial nations, and too many developing countries feel they must subscribe to its tenets. Failure to overcome this "business-as-usual" theme will only lead to environmental catastrophe.

Speth isn't urging strong governmental action "from above". Quite the reverse. He examines the mechanisms that have been tried through this method and finds them too rigid. Instead, he proposes more flexible and more local initiatives must be encouraged. He applies the term JAZZ, reflecting the innovative and unstructured methods of that music form. Contributions are encouraged from many sources, applying many styles, producing a variety of results. Those that can be successfully applied elsewhere will be adopted. In his scenario Speth leaves no doubt that individuals play the most significant role. As a builder rather than destroyer, Speth is a voice to be heeded - now!
[stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Rating:
Summary: Ms. Carson, meet Mr. Speth
Review: This book deserves ten stars.
It is more important than the sacrosanct Silent Spring. It is impossible to overstate this book's importance. Heard about any melting polar ice lately? I wish the author had published initially in both hardcover and paperback to get it more widely disseminated.

Rating:
Summary: Silent Spring Move Over
Review: This book deserves ten stars.
It is more important than the sacrosanct Silent Spring. It is impossible to overstate this books importance. I wish the author had published initially in both hardcover and paperback to get it more widely disseminated.

Rating:
Summary: A compelling read, with an abundance of citizen resources
Review: To add to the other reviews, I would emphasize that "Red Sky at Morning" is a great read for just about anyone, whether it's your first or your fiftieth book about environmental issues. Speth condenses a great amount of relevant and interesting information, background history, and analysis into this wonderfully readable book.

Furthermore, his resources for citizen action are far more exciting and empowering than the tired old "do your part by recycling" refrain.

Rating:
Summary: More JAZZ...
Review: You may wonder what jazz could possibly have to do with "The Global Crisis of the Environment"! Speth introduces a new term, "JAZZ", to explain one of three possible scenarios for environmental governance frameworks. The concept, developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, describes an approach to solving global environmental challenges. Like musical jazz, it uses a multitude of diverse and "unscripted" initiatives, based on creativity, flexibility and involving a wide range of players. The good news, Speth insists, is that, increasingly, JAZZ is being played around the world - decentralized and voluntary. Activities are being driven by environmental and consumer and other citizens' groups, supported or at least "facilitated" by governments. Businesses, recognizing advantages in these developments, now participate in growing numbers and developing new partnerships. Expanding and multiplying JAZZ is one of the promising trends that can move us towards an "environmental revolution". Nothing short of it, Speth is convinced, will save our planet.

In recent years, scientists, environmentalists and policy makers have learned that, solving the problems of the planet in a sustainable way requires an integrated - "ecosystem" - approach. Results have been slow and efforts must dramatically accelerate. Steps to reduce our ecological human footprint have to be augmented by the adoption of "ecological economics". A long term goal will see the economy serve primarily the advancement of human development and environmental sustainability. It will no longer remain an end in itself. New "compacts" with all sectors of society and the governments in the North and in the South will be struck.

Speth does not come to his somewhat optimistic outlook lightly and he remains cautious as to its success. Based on decades of experience in the environmental field, both in the US and as part of the UN system, he submits one of the most comprehensive analyses of the environmental challenges and dangers one can find today. Filled with facts, figures, and carefully sourced, he paints a devastating picture of the state of the earth's environment. He urges us to face up to "ten drivers of environmental degradation". Added to the environmental impact of population size, affluence and technology (IPAT) are such fundamental problems as poverty, market and political failures. Complementing this examination is his excellent analysis of the inadequate international governmental efforts so far to reach global agreements on environmental protection. He exposes the weaknesses of such compromise treaties as the UN Convention on Biodiversity, Climate Change and Desertification that lack "teeth" in terms of binding protocols. He deplores the withdrawal of the current US administration from international agreements, particularly the Kyoto Protocol. He acknowledges the European leadership at this time in environmental protection and challenges America to take back the role of leader that it had earlier.

For each of the environmental degradation drivers he suggests concrete transition strategies. The most fundamental of the transitions required, he stresses, and probably the most difficult to achieve fast, is the shift in our consciousness. He commends steps already under way in some of the areas, such as slowing population growth, or reducing the use of pollutants, such as DDT and PCBs. While these are vital steps, Speth cautions that they will be far from sufficient. Hence the call for an environmental revolution and the establishment of a new institution with the mandate to "manage the global environment".
In his recommendations for future strategies, he argues that an institutional approach based on international environmental law - the second scenario - GEOpolity - might work in combination with JAZZ, and if enforced by binding international treaties. The third scenario - FROG, [First Raise Our Growth] - he completely discards as not only ineffectual but also endangering our future. This scenario will lead, he contends, to wrecking our environment and our global society. After having followed his in-depth review of the impacts of current laissez-faire attitudes, you will probably agree with him.

While he addresses economic globalization's impact on the environment, he avoids challenging the role of the big transnational corporations. The food and pharmaceutical sectors could well represent major stumbling blocks. He deliberately remains within the market economy, convinced that the changes needed can be realized within the current systems.

Speth's RED SKY AT MORNING is a vital book. His style is clear and personable. The book is well structured and indexed so that readers can find specific topics easily. While at times focusing heavily on the American audience, the book is important for readers from around the world. His resource guide for citizens underlines his conviction that progress will rely heavily on environmental and consumer groups, scientists, the media and enlightened business people - all part of civil society. [Friederike Knabe, Ottawa Canada]