Carl Pope (1)

The former Mayor of New York and the former Executive Director of the Sierra Club have written a book together: Climate of Hope. Climate of Hope is full of examples of how cities have taken on many of the challenges of climate change while our Congress has refused to act. New York and some other cities and states have reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas production. The tow authors wrote alternating chapters. Bloomberg points out in his chapters how doing the right thing about climate makes economic sense. Carl Pope's chapters gave a lot of the historical and scientific side of climate change but also told of successes around the world. A good clearly written work.… (more)

Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of NY City and head of Bloomberg News, and Carl Pope, former head of the Sierra Club, provide steps which can, or have been taken, to combat the harmful impacts of Climate Change. ​Rather than trying to influence the reader to get on board regarding climate change by listing worst-case scenarios, they ​try to point out the BENEFITS of working on Climate Change, and why it makes sense, politically , ​economically, socially.​ This is a nice contrast to many books or articles which make dire predictions about the impacts of climate change, ​which in many cases may shock readers, but also can sometimes have the opposite effect and increase scepticism and denial of the problem.

T​he important point of the book is that it points out that climate changes result from many causes, and may have many impacts. Some of these causes can be natural, and some caused by man. We can't do much about any natural causes, but can take steps addressing human causes, and can address impacts from either case. So the book isn't only about ending use of fossil fuels, or pushing the adaptation of solar and wind power. There are many small steps which are and can be taken in agriculture, by individuals, by industries, by manufacturers, by cities, etc. People who believe that climate change is happening, but that solutions are out of their control, may find this book helpful in reading about so many practical solutions which are at hand and being taken in so many areas. People who don't believe in Climate Change, or feel that solutions are too costly in terms of the economy and jobs will be pleased to read about so many cost-effective solutions which are already being implemented, saving money and creating jobs. So there's some appeal for readers, no matter which side of the debate one may find oneself.

The book's focus is on solutions, and doesn't really get into serious scientific or technical discussions to prove that Climate Change is occurring. The authors apparently assume that the point has already been made, given that the leaders of virtually every nation in the world (with one notable exception), and every independent scientific organization in nations around the world have determined that the problem exists, is caused in large part by human activities, and that steps need to be taken to address climate change.

​So the authors keep the discussions down to personal terms, and discuss how addressing the issue actually strengthens national energy security, quality of life, increases jobs, can reduce energy bills, reduce ​asthma attacks suffered by children , ​reduce ​heart attacks, save family members from respiratory disease, ​improve ​life expectancy, ​quality of life, etc. They provide many reasons in support of taking action to address climate change now.

However, some parts of the book tend to drag and bog down in specifics and technicalities. Covering such a wide range of topics may delve into topics not relevant to all readers. Agricultural techniques, diet changes, how best to use fertilizers, making building renovations and changing energy uses, etc.​ aren't all relevant to everyone.​ ​However, recognition of those areas is worth noting, even if the solutions will be left to others to implement. ​​Many of the innovative techniques used by mayors around the United States and around the world, and how simple steps led to improvement in their cities while helping the environment, sound very promising. ​
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Climate of Hope is well done. It seems it was written quickly, in response to the assumption that President Trump would withdraw from the Paris Accord.

Michael Bloomberg, former mayor of New York, recommends lots of valuable strategies for local and municipal governments to adopt to reduce carbon footprint. His testimony is timely and echoed in the headlines this last month. This book closely resembles [Green Urbanism Down Under] and in the context of local projects, [Running out of Water].… (more)