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Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming by Paul Hawken
simont24's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent book and surprisingly optimistic but lacking in a few places. I think it would have benefitted from a longer introduction explaining the differences between carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gasses. How do they function in the atmosphere? What is the carbon cycle? What is the nitrogen cycle? What exactly is a gigaton? It's a mass so far removed from everyday experience that it needs some context. Perhaps some info graphics?
According to the book's own introduction, it was written to be accessible and free from jargon. For example, a point was made to not abbreviate carbon dioxide as CO2. Yet on the other hand, the editor assumes a lot of background knowledge regarding carbon, methane, cycles, etc. I'm a climate change ecologist by profession so a lot of this stuff is second nature to me. But I couldn't give this book to my grandma and expect her to tie it all together. If there's ever a second edition, please take some time to set the scene and start with a solid foundation before diving into the solutions (I volunteer to write it!).
I also think there should be some graphs. The vast majority of people in 2018 can interpret a simple graph and a picture speaks a thousand words. It would save a lot of words in places and would really help to drive home the issues we're collectively facing.
According to the book's own introduction, it was written to be accessible and free from jargon. For example, a point was made to not abbreviate carbon dioxide as CO2. Yet on the other hand, the editor assumes a lot of background knowledge regarding carbon, methane, cycles, etc. I'm a climate change ecologist by profession so a lot of this stuff is second nature to me. But I couldn't give this book to my grandma and expect her to tie it all together. If there's ever a second edition, please take some time to set the scene and start with a solid foundation before diving into the solutions (I volunteer to write it!).
I also think there should be some graphs. The vast majority of people in 2018 can interpret a simple graph and a picture speaks a thousand words. It would save a lot of words in places and would really help to drive home the issues we're collectively facing.
meg_sm's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant and imperative. Climate science has never been so exciting nor so hopeful. This book is one of the best resources out there and should be a staple in every household.
ibenmoulton's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.5
Similarly to other climate change books I've read so far, I'm rating Drawdown so highly because I believe it is a book everyone should read. At the very least, I think it's a project of which everyone should be aware. The research and presentation of this book were so necessary because it helps provide a roadmap of the most impactful actions towards drawing down emissions, and it focuses on what can be done, not how far gone we are already. Granted, there were times where it was dry or the writing style became repetitive, but that was likely because I read it cover-to-cover, which might not be the best way to read this book; it might be best to read it section-by-section or to pick-and-choose the most interesting solution to read and jump around the book. Regardless, I still enjoyed reading this book and ultimately learned some amazing things from it, and I can't wait to recommend it to others and spread the knowledge.
hileahrious's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably the most important book I’ll ever read. You should read it too.
justaprilann's review against another edition
4.0
Really well put together and includes systems level changes that will be critical for a healthy future. Beautiful photos and inspiring.
jackgoss's review against another edition
3.0
The information is great.
It's more of a refernce than something you'd want to sit down and read (or listen to) cover to cover.
Does not lend itself well to audio, partially due to the robotic reading style, to the nature of the content and to the organization (the introduction is at the end).
It's more of a refernce than something you'd want to sit down and read (or listen to) cover to cover.
Does not lend itself well to audio, partially due to the robotic reading style, to the nature of the content and to the organization (the introduction is at the end).
verolynne's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Best book of climate solutions going! Excellent for honing your activism
nrt43's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe the best title ever. It is what it says - the Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. In it are 100 environmental practices, ranked from 1 to 100 as most impactful. Most take just two pages, include ample descriptions for the noob, and give a summarized breakdown of the numbers. Tons and tons of researchers and contributors worked to make this book and thousands of references, but it's stylized and written to communicate, not overwhelm. In short, it's brilliant, and one of the most hopeful (and needed) projects I know of.
For me, it felt like environmental science 101. Maybe you have, but I hadn't ever heard of Methane Digesters, Grid Flexibility, Silvopasture, or Utility Scale Photovoltics. Each are important for drawing down the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.
However, most important were the practical implications of the research. You might, "What can I actually do to reduce global warming?" This book is the "most comprehensive" answer to that question. So, things like adding solar panels, (eventually) trading our gas car for something electric, etc. everyone knows. Now it feels a little more pressing. But in particular, going to a plant based diet was (I believe) #3 or #4 most impactful practices. Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh has said, making the transition to a plant-based diet may be the most effective way an individual can stop climate change. I didn't realize this... and that doesn't even include the other reasons for going vegetarian.
Two others that surprised me were educating girls globally and family planning (#6 & #7), which go together. When we educate girls, we are improving the lives of families. Children are healthier, happier and fewer in number when girls are educated. This is vital!
Drawdown is also a non-profit, who happened to produce this wonderful book. Learn more at drawdown.org.
This is so important and I'm thankful for the work they're doing.
For me, it felt like environmental science 101. Maybe you have, but I hadn't ever heard of Methane Digesters, Grid Flexibility, Silvopasture, or Utility Scale Photovoltics. Each are important for drawing down the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.
However, most important were the practical implications of the research. You might, "What can I actually do to reduce global warming?" This book is the "most comprehensive" answer to that question. So, things like adding solar panels, (eventually) trading our gas car for something electric, etc. everyone knows. Now it feels a little more pressing. But in particular, going to a plant based diet was (I believe) #3 or #4 most impactful practices. Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh has said, making the transition to a plant-based diet may be the most effective way an individual can stop climate change. I didn't realize this... and that doesn't even include the other reasons for going vegetarian.
Two others that surprised me were educating girls globally and family planning (#6 & #7), which go together. When we educate girls, we are improving the lives of families. Children are healthier, happier and fewer in number when girls are educated. This is vital!
Drawdown is also a non-profit, who happened to produce this wonderful book. Learn more at drawdown.org.
This is so important and I'm thankful for the work they're doing.