Learning to Die in the Anthropocene: Reflections on the End of a Civilization by Roy Scranton is a little 117 page horror story about climate change and how we as a civilization must set aside our fears and pride and learn to die gracefully when the Earth is no longer a place where we can live. As we have made it such. I chose this book because the title intrigued me in the sense that this is something I can’t exactly look up on wikiHow. In the first half of the book, Scranton summarizes what we as a species have done to this planet, something we all should know well from reading Eaarth by Bill McKibben. Scranton puts an emphasis on the fact that humans evolved in a perfect sweet spot, what really shocked me was that the climate goes through cycles, and that “the Earth has cooled, and it has been in an “icehouse” state for more than two and a half million years. We have very likely brought that state to a premature end.” (pg35) The thought that one species could change the entire climate of the Earth is horrifying, and true. The thing that Scranton brings up that I really appreciate is that the climate has changed before, but it did so slowly and we were able to adapt and move around to be in a more comfortable climate. But this time it’s happening so fast, and this time we know that we are the cause.
Scranton also speaks about how hard it is for the average citizen to raise any awareness or get anything done relating to climate change because “no matter how many people take to the streets in massive marches or in target direct actions they cannot put their hands on the real flows of power, because they do not help produce it. They only consume.” (pg 60) He raises the point that it is the few powerful corporations who have all the power relating to coal production and CO2 emissions because they are the ones who produce it, and those who consume are always going to be at their hands. This is a very important point and gives me a reason why I feel so helpless to this whole situation we’ve got ourselves into.
Another thing that Scranton said that made me stop and think was that “every time you check your email, you’re heating up the planet” (pg 68) It’s something that i don’t think about, how electronic things, even cell phone, the internet, it all runs on coal. On the same page he goes on to say that “The problem is that the problem is too big. The problem is that different people want different things. the problem is that nobody has real answers. The problem is that the problem is us.” Which I think is a really beautiful way to put it.
This book is very short but it’s got a lot of important things to say, even if it starts a little depressisng by insinuating that “we have to learn to die not as individuals, but as a civilization.” (pg 21). Then again, climate change is nothing but depressing.
Another thing that Scranton said that made me stop and think was that “every time you check your email, you’re heating up the planet” (pg 68) It’s something that i don’t think about, how electronic things, even cell phone, the internet, it all runs on coal. On the same page he goes on to say that “The problem is that the problem is too big. The problem is that different people want different things. the problem is that nobody has real answers. The problem is that the problem is us.” Which I think is a really beautiful way to put it. 
Wow! I have never considered my actions such as checking my email to be a key component in global warming. We have become accustomed to a life that depends solely on the destruction of our planet. Although there are methods to slow down climate change, I often find myself wondering if we will ever be able to truly stop ourselves. I keep wondering if we will soon become yet another species to go extinct. Although this sounds horrible, I can't help but ask myself if it really would be that bad. As it is mentioned in the book I am reading, we would just become a part of the "Sixth Extinction.
ReplyDeleteI think its just so amazing how much our society depends on the burning of fossil fuels. I think that the majority of americans (and people worldwide) do not realize that things like checking an email contribute to climate change. When this topic has been talked about through the media they tend to focus on transportation and fuel efficient cars. And even if they meantion coal, it is not usually explicitly stated that this is what is powering everything. The problem is so big. And there isn't any way to just stop burning coal. It can't be done, not without a gigantic drop in the standard of living we are so accustomed to.
ReplyDeleteBefore I put this book on the list for the class I read a little from it. It seemed like one of the most powerful and frightening books I had seen on the topic. Would this book be a good choice for high school readers?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I think that the sooner children/teens can be exposed to the hard facts about climate change, the better. The lack of education regarding climate change is honestly astounding. This book is so short that it could be assigned as over break reading, or even a weekend (it's a one day read in my opinion). It makes references to current things that young adults can relate to, and it puts it all in a perspective that they can get behind very easily.
Delete"The problem is that we are the problem." Everything we do is a problem. I was thinking about it this weekend, even if I turn off the lights and open the windows more religiously there are still so many people out there doing the opposite. And now hearing that checking my phone and being on the internet is contributing? It makes me frustrated because my life contributes to the problem.
ReplyDeleteI agree that to get the necessary changes in motion the large corporations will have to get on board. Right now we are chopping the weeds down but aren't pulling out the roots so nothing huge will ever change. I really liked the quote " The problem is that the problem is us" because it ties in with another one of my favorite quotes: "the problem with most of us is that we're like the rest of us".
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like quite the wake up call. You really don't think about how vast climate change really is in our lives. Small things like looking at our cell phones are contributors to the change. I don't think a lot of people would look at it like that until they really sat and pondered that idea.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting how Scranton connected the simple use of the internet to contributing to global warming. While it does require energy to produce, operate, and power a computer, the amount total is very small in the grand scheme of things. I realize that every small bit contributes and is affecting us, however in the end of Eaarth, Bill McKibben cites the internet as a possible solution to help us deal with climate change. Since we are able to collaborate and share our ideas online, farmers and energy scientists alike will be able to share what has worked for them and what has not, in turn allowing us to deal with climate change in a more effective way.
ReplyDeleteOne of the arguments against battery powered cars is that they are just powered by coal and are therefore not 100% green (plus you have to dispose of batteries every 7 or 8 years). It's interesting how our technology filled lives don't seem so dirty until we consider the smokestacks and exhaust pipes that cover our planet and make all of this possible. It's sobering but also exciting as it seems to be the opportunity of our generation to fix it... hopefully.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like this novel could leave quite an impact on anyone who reads it. The scary reality of climate change is what grabs peoples attention and creates a feeling of urgency. I would love to read this, even though I know it will increase my stress about the environment.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you cannot go through any activity that does not contribute in some way to climate change. A lot of the contributions by something via a laptop or cellphone seem like they would minuscule, though they could make a larger impact when you take the sum of the parts.
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