Reclaiming Our Planet

Book excerpt: Offers hope for beating climate change by highlighting moments in history in which humans have successfully reversed environmental damage. The popular media is full of doomsday scenarios regarding the environment and especially climate change. Perhaps these scare-tactics are necessary to call the public to action, however, they also have the unintended effect of convincing people that there is no hope for our planet. In Reclaiming Our Planet: How Environmental History Can Help Solve the Climate Crisis, Alexander Gates explores past environmental crises that humanity has faced and successfully addressed to encourage readers that slowing and preventing climate change is possible. From the elimination of toxins and pesticides, such as lead and DDT, to an increase in Bald Eagle populations, Gates demonstrates that concerted efforts from motivated activists and scientists can and do lead to victories. Set against the backdrop of these human victories over pollution, Reclaiming Our Planet also evaluates if our current approaches to are appropriate and highlights what more could be done. From solar panels and wind turbines to electric vehicles, Gates analyzes the advantages and drawbacks of such technologies along with possible new innovations in geothermal, algal fuels, and nuclear energy. Readers will be left optimistic that by learning from our history, the planet may still have a bright and healthy future ahead.