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Break Through: From the Death of Environmentalism to the Politics of Possibility Audiobook
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(3.08) - 176 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Environmental insiders Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus triggered a firestorm of debate with their self-published essay, “The Death of Environmentalism.” In this eagerly anticipated follow-up, the authors expand upon their argument that the paradigms driving the environmental movement and much of liberal politics are outdated and ineffective. A politics centered on restricting human growth and development does not resonate with the primary concerns of either the developing world or insecure modern Americans—nor can it solve a problem as large and complex as global warming. What is needed instead, they argue, is a new kind of development that integrates ecological, social, and economic change, motivated by an optimistic new vision of the future. By shifting from a politics of fear and limits to one of expansive possibility, we can galvanize American creativity and enterprise to tackle our most pressing challenges.
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"Potentially paradigm shifting if we could make it next month's subway read for damn near everyone. I used to be one of those people who gave the human race fifty, sixty years tops. No longer; or if the clock is still counting down I will cheerfully be contributing thought and action when it stops."
— Joe (4 out of 5 stars)
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“[Break Through] is unremittingly interesting, sharp, and wide-ranging, and it provides a great deal of thoughtful comment for anyone trying to figure out how to rally public support behind action on climate change, or indeed behind any progressive change.”
— New York Review of Books -
“Could turn out to be the best thing to happen to environmentalism since Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring.”
— Wired -
“Their big-picture ideas are important and intensely argued, making this a convincing, resonant and hopeful primer on ‘postenvironmentalism.’”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Break Through delivers on the authors’ promise to articulate a new politics for a new century, one focused on aspirations, not complaints, human possibility, not limits…With its challenge to conventional environmentalist, conservative, and progressive thought, and its proposal for a politics of possibility, Break Through will influence the political debate for years to come.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review
Break Through Listener Reviews
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" From a public policy perspective, this is a fascinating read. The primary argument that the authors try to convey is that environmentalism has evolved into a narrow special interest, and must redefine itself to adapt to a changing world. Some of the examples used are more effective than others. Highlighting the current situation in Brazil was effective, as it's difficult to ensure the integrity of the Amazon in a country with massive economic problems (vast international debt) coupled with social injustice (large income gap among classes, lawlessness). Others examples are a bit more strained, such as the direct comparison of environmentalism to religion. Just don't read this if you're looking for a conventional take on the subject. Overall, a compelling case is made for an environmental paradigm shift. "
— Eric, 1/28/2014 -
" Shellenberger and Nordhaus wrote a controversial essay a few years ago called "The Death of Environmentalism." This book expands on the ideas they presented in the essay. It's a provocative book that makes the valuable point that the environmental movement won't thrive on pessimism and condescending injunctions to behave better. The authors favor (rather convincingly) the Apollo Project, a program of major investments in green technology and infrastructure. The book is, to my mind, weakened by a gratuitous slap at the environmental justice movement. Some of the specific points are valid, but the chapter becomes a wholesale attack. At a time when environmentalism has to broaden its scope and shed its "tree hugger" image, why attack a movement that relates environmental issues to concerns of the poor and people of color? "
— Daniel, 1/3/2014 -
" Makes a great case for the need for big government intervention in the energy industry to make the switch away from fossil fuels. "
— Travis, 12/29/2013 -
" I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in creating positive social change. "
— Kai, 11/22/2013 -
" One of the best critiques of the environmentalist movement I have read. With an ideology that is hard to refute. "
— Christopher, 9/23/2013 -
" Even though it was written by liberals (who were shunned for their work) it is one of the great recent compilations of truly innovative thinking in the realm of political idealogy and democrat/republican mindsets. "
— Daniel, 7/25/2013 -
" Admittedly, I only made it part way through... It's dense, and depressing, and horrifying. But interesting, and I swear I'll continue. "
— Adam, 4/11/2011 -
" A little preachy but makes very good suggestions of how to solve multiple problems at once. They analyze the root of our current situation instead of simply demanding change. "
— Jessica, 12/1/2010 -
" I can never make up my mind on Nordhaus and Shellenberger. But it sure does make you think about environmental movement strategy. "
— Jeff, 10/9/2008 -
" A little preachy but makes very good suggestions of how to solve multiple problems at once. They analyze the root of our current situation instead of simply demanding change. "
— Jessica, 7/6/2008 -
" Makes a great case for the need for big government intervention in the energy industry to make the switch away from fossil fuels. "
— Travis, 6/10/2008 -
" Even though it was written by liberals (who were shunned for their work) it is one of the great recent compilations of truly innovative thinking in the realm of political idealogy and democrat/republican mindsets. "
— Daniel, 4/17/2008
About the Authors
Ted Nordhaus has spent his entire career working with environmental organizations. He is a managing director of American Environics, a social values research and political strategy firm. Nordhaus is the coauthor, with Michael Shellenberger, of a number of books, including Break Through: From the Death of Environmentalism to the Politics of Possibility and Break Through: Why We Can’t Leave Saving the Planet to Environmentalists.
Michael Shellenberger is the nationally bestselling author of Apocalypse Never, a Time magazine “Hero of the Environment,” the winner of the 2008 Green Book Award from the Stevens Institute of Technology’s Center for Science Writings, and an invited expert reviewer of the next Assessment Report for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He has written on energy and the environment for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Nature Energy, and other publications for two decades. He is the founder and president of Environmental Progress, an independent, nonpartisan research organization based in Berkeley, California.
About Jeff Cummings
Jeff Cummings, as an audiobook narrator, has won both an Earphones Award and the prestigious Audie Award in 2015 for Best Narration in Science and Technology. He is also a twenty-year veteran of the stage, having worked at many regional theaters across the country, from A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle and the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta to the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City and the International Mystery Writers’ Festival in Owensboro, Kentucky. He also spent seven seasons with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.