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hannahb21's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
midici's review against another edition
4.0
This Changes Everything.
Naomi Klein's book explores the state of our world and our society, and just what needs to be done to address the looming threat of climate change. This isn't a book that delves into the science behind how or why the climate is changing - there is already plenty of literature on those topics. This book takes a close look at the systematic ways in which our current capitalistic societies are actively fighting against green and sustainable alternatives, and at all the ways in which people are becoming fed up and fighting back.
This book was a little hard to read, in that there was so much information that I needed to take a break between chapters just to digest what I had read. The first half of the book really goes into how the system is stacked against change, and the dire possibilities that will come from refusing to confront the situation we're in. It didn't create my sense of urgency but it did make me more aware of it - usually my own personal fears concerning climate change are pushed aside in favour of everyday practicalities. This Changes Everything forces the reader to get rid of their denial and admit the facts to themself without immediately pretending that the fact they recycle somehow makes thing better.
Second, it addresses the failures of the environmental community thus far to address the issue - organizations too busy cozying up to politicians and businesses, orgs that spent too much time nitpicking, orgs that made huge concessions and pretended the scraps they were given were some sort of victory.
After that double whammy, when you're certain the whole world is going to hell, Klein switches tactics and discusses the movements' triumphs. The actions and protests that are working, the communities that have managed to turn things around, the outlines for what could be incredible change in the best way if we're willing to fight for it.
There is too much to lay out in a review, but despite the facts and percentages and dates and much-needed political and history lessons, this book is not lacking in emotion. Klein cares deeply about her subject and lays out just what every half-hearted environmentalist needs to hear as a call to action: the time is now. There is no more time to waste, there will be no more urgent call than what's already barreling towards us. Get involved. Fight for you planet, and your lives.
Naomi Klein's book explores the state of our world and our society, and just what needs to be done to address the looming threat of climate change. This isn't a book that delves into the science behind how or why the climate is changing - there is already plenty of literature on those topics. This book takes a close look at the systematic ways in which our current capitalistic societies are actively fighting against green and sustainable alternatives, and at all the ways in which people are becoming fed up and fighting back.
This book was a little hard to read, in that there was so much information that I needed to take a break between chapters just to digest what I had read. The first half of the book really goes into how the system is stacked against change, and the dire possibilities that will come from refusing to confront the situation we're in. It didn't create my sense of urgency but it did make me more aware of it - usually my own personal fears concerning climate change are pushed aside in favour of everyday practicalities. This Changes Everything forces the reader to get rid of their denial and admit the facts to themself without immediately pretending that the fact they recycle somehow makes thing better.
Second, it addresses the failures of the environmental community thus far to address the issue - organizations too busy cozying up to politicians and businesses, orgs that spent too much time nitpicking, orgs that made huge concessions and pretended the scraps they were given were some sort of victory.
After that double whammy, when you're certain the whole world is going to hell, Klein switches tactics and discusses the movements' triumphs. The actions and protests that are working, the communities that have managed to turn things around, the outlines for what could be incredible change in the best way if we're willing to fight for it.
There is too much to lay out in a review, but despite the facts and percentages and dates and much-needed political and history lessons, this book is not lacking in emotion. Klein cares deeply about her subject and lays out just what every half-hearted environmentalist needs to hear as a call to action: the time is now. There is no more time to waste, there will be no more urgent call than what's already barreling towards us. Get involved. Fight for you planet, and your lives.
applegnreads's review
3.0
OK. it was filled with lots of great facts but it didn't flow.
besides, I already knew how bad it was.
besides, I already knew how bad it was.
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This Changes Everything was utterly rage inducing. Klein meticulously lays out the ways capitalism is incompatible with efforts to combat the climate crisis. So many examples of the desire to make millions and billions of dollars trumping everything else. And what’s even more infuriating is that this book is ten years old, yet nothing substantial has changed, so the earth is in a worse position than it was a decade ago. Klein does include some examples of climate change wins, of positive examples that can and are making a noticeable difference, but overall I was left with the depressing feeling that it was too little too late, that the greed and might of capitalism is too powerful. Anything I can do seems inconsequential. But, of course, that’s not a reason to stop.
satedbuffalo's review
informative
medium-paced
3.25
Maybe it's because it's 10 years old, but this felt more like an artefact out of time than something urgent and immediate. I usually appreciate Klein's focus on the effect of ideology on what's happened and happening, what's possible, what's unthinkable, etc. etc., but here I felt like that thrust was overshadowed by anecdote and description.
c_lewis's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
Well written, but extremely dense. Quite repetitive at points. I think if I had read this 10 years ago when I knew less about climate change, the book would have been revolutionary.
The book was also extremely focussed on North America, Klein's home turf. Klein touches on climate change as a political problem but doesn't engage meaningfully with political power and class forces. It's all very ideological. I think the book would benefit with a 10-year-later-follow-up!
The book was also extremely focussed on North America, Klein's home turf. Klein touches on climate change as a political problem but doesn't engage meaningfully with political power and class forces. It's all very ideological. I think the book would benefit with a 10-year-later-follow-up!
froggy1png's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.5
An insightful read, quite harrowing to read it a near decade later. Very informative, would love to read an updated version!