A few inconvenient truths about climate communication and climate action. Starting with the awkward fact that they're not as inextricably linked as climate people think.
Just one addendum to the Obama stimulus reference (which was a good one for #2): there’s nothing like a weather crisis to get people to think about climate. And maybe a climate crisis if you include sea level rise intrusion on shoreside infrastructure or drought generating wild fire conditions.
Thanks but I'm not sure about that. We're having a lot of crazy rain events and Cat 5 storms and wildfires and so forth but the information/engagement needle seems to be moving the other direction.
I know I said it'd probably take to the new year to read your book but we're only in early November and I'm on page 306! So as long as I don't read the notes it'll be finished soon. I have to say it's been a real joy. Your style of writing is beautiful: the time you spend to define characters is great, and the book does read more like a novel, albeit with a lot of science and good stats etc. I particularly loved the segment on 'clean meat' and the characters running the myriad of businesses (and then fighting each other).
Now as a vegan for five years (yes, one of those groups that may not like the book) I am of course shocked at your honesty that you tried to give up red meat and then fell of the wagon in Brazil! Just joking of course. I treasure honesty far above personal preferences. In a way, it's probably not surprising - I think the backbone of the book - and your feeling - is that the US (at least) is not heading away from that livestock-heavy-or/and-beef diet anytime soon. Maybe it's the influence of the cowboy history or that Clint Eastwood 'Dirty Harry' individualism. And it probably is the biggest contrast in your book to George Monbiot's 'Regenesis' - I just don't think in the UK & Europe we are so devoted to that route (I miss fish/scampi more and look forward to some better alternatives soon!). That doesn't mean changing diets over here won't meet resistance, but we already do have some outliers. A bit like the shift to renewables - the change is coming far too slowly even for us. Not sure if you've read 'Eat Lancet 2025' report... I'm not sure the stats in that are as transparent as in your book.
Regarding biodiversity, I'm just past 60 and have seen the loss just in my local landscape though I know, we are all rightfully wary of anecdotal tales (bottom of the pyramid for scientific research) though the stats have been measured relatively well (75% loss over 50 years sine the 1970s). As someone that doesn't have kids I do hope that the generation of my sisters daughters will not grow up without the simple pleasure of a butterfly or bee flying by as they walk through nature. But with shifting baseline syndrome maybe they will just accept the difference. But the land use question is a long and winding road.
I can't believe I had to buy your book to hear the name Tim Searchinger! But then until I watched a Michael Liebreich Podcast I'd not heard of Saul Griffith (re: his work on the IRA act regarding 'Rewiring America'). I did love the work in your book analysing the poor stats/maths used for Biomass / Ethanol and the links to supporting the farmers regardless of the real impact as unearthed by Tim. Given Drax over here - and possible increasing support for SAF for Aviation - it's groundhog day (again). God help us! Sort-of-Atheist joke.
Anyway, sorry for prattling on. Well done for ploughing on with the truth (pun sort of unintentional) and you know you're doing great when you get slaughtered by both sides of the debate. Humour aside - that must be hard so I hope you are strong enough to not be ground down by it. At least you know partly how George Monbiot must feel after his years in environmental journalism - even if you don't agree with some of his conclusions!
best wishes - will continue to watch interviews / LinkedIn posts from you etc etc.
What a dynamite talk! I had bought Eating the Earth after having my socks knocked off by several of your interviews but hadn't gotten my courage jacked up enough to start it. Now, I'm eager to dive in. Thanks for having the gumption to employ your considerable skill as a communicator spreading this very inconvenient but necessary truth. Kudos!!!
Just one addendum to the Obama stimulus reference (which was a good one for #2): there’s nothing like a weather crisis to get people to think about climate. And maybe a climate crisis if you include sea level rise intrusion on shoreside infrastructure or drought generating wild fire conditions.
Thanks but I'm not sure about that. We're having a lot of crazy rain events and Cat 5 storms and wildfires and so forth but the information/engagement needle seems to be moving the other direction.
Hi Michael,
I know I said it'd probably take to the new year to read your book but we're only in early November and I'm on page 306! So as long as I don't read the notes it'll be finished soon. I have to say it's been a real joy. Your style of writing is beautiful: the time you spend to define characters is great, and the book does read more like a novel, albeit with a lot of science and good stats etc. I particularly loved the segment on 'clean meat' and the characters running the myriad of businesses (and then fighting each other).
Now as a vegan for five years (yes, one of those groups that may not like the book) I am of course shocked at your honesty that you tried to give up red meat and then fell of the wagon in Brazil! Just joking of course. I treasure honesty far above personal preferences. In a way, it's probably not surprising - I think the backbone of the book - and your feeling - is that the US (at least) is not heading away from that livestock-heavy-or/and-beef diet anytime soon. Maybe it's the influence of the cowboy history or that Clint Eastwood 'Dirty Harry' individualism. And it probably is the biggest contrast in your book to George Monbiot's 'Regenesis' - I just don't think in the UK & Europe we are so devoted to that route (I miss fish/scampi more and look forward to some better alternatives soon!). That doesn't mean changing diets over here won't meet resistance, but we already do have some outliers. A bit like the shift to renewables - the change is coming far too slowly even for us. Not sure if you've read 'Eat Lancet 2025' report... I'm not sure the stats in that are as transparent as in your book.
Regarding biodiversity, I'm just past 60 and have seen the loss just in my local landscape though I know, we are all rightfully wary of anecdotal tales (bottom of the pyramid for scientific research) though the stats have been measured relatively well (75% loss over 50 years sine the 1970s). As someone that doesn't have kids I do hope that the generation of my sisters daughters will not grow up without the simple pleasure of a butterfly or bee flying by as they walk through nature. But with shifting baseline syndrome maybe they will just accept the difference. But the land use question is a long and winding road.
I can't believe I had to buy your book to hear the name Tim Searchinger! But then until I watched a Michael Liebreich Podcast I'd not heard of Saul Griffith (re: his work on the IRA act regarding 'Rewiring America'). I did love the work in your book analysing the poor stats/maths used for Biomass / Ethanol and the links to supporting the farmers regardless of the real impact as unearthed by Tim. Given Drax over here - and possible increasing support for SAF for Aviation - it's groundhog day (again). God help us! Sort-of-Atheist joke.
Anyway, sorry for prattling on. Well done for ploughing on with the truth (pun sort of unintentional) and you know you're doing great when you get slaughtered by both sides of the debate. Humour aside - that must be hard so I hope you are strong enough to not be ground down by it. At least you know partly how George Monbiot must feel after his years in environmental journalism - even if you don't agree with some of his conclusions!
best wishes - will continue to watch interviews / LinkedIn posts from you etc etc.
Michael
Thank you so much! It sucks to write a book, reactions like yours make me feel less stupid for doing it.
What a dynamite talk! I had bought Eating the Earth after having my socks knocked off by several of your interviews but hadn't gotten my courage jacked up enough to start it. Now, I'm eager to dive in. Thanks for having the gumption to employ your considerable skill as a communicator spreading this very inconvenient but necessary truth. Kudos!!!