Illustration by Mike L. Perry Hell on Earth interview by Heather Shayne Blakeslee In “Blood and Earth: Modern Slavery, Ecocide and the Secret to Saving the World” abolitionist Kevin Bales uncovers the fact that, absent the rule of law, the environment is devastated and slavery flourishes. Many slaves are tricked into thinking they are getting
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Illustration by Laura Weiszer First, Do No Harm by Jerry Silberman Question: How can our health care system develop the technology to cure illness? The Right Question: How can we build a system that maintains health for people and planet? When we think about making changes to limit the poisoning of our environment and the
MoreIllustration by Kathleen White Serious Business by Hannah Waters Every moment of every day, even as you read this magazine, a dizzying array of scientific gadgets collect data on our planet’s environment. More than 3,000 ocean floats measure the temperature and saltiness of seawater to depths of 6,500 feet. Instruments at the top of the
MoreIllustration by James Heimer Stars, Stripes and Sea Level Rise by Heather Shayne Blakeslee Your book is titled The United States of Excess: Gluttony and the Dark Side of American Exceptionalism. What is “American Exceptionalism”? RP: It’s the assertion that America is very different from other advanced industrial countries because of our unique history as
MoreClimate Change, Inc. by Heather Shayne Blakeslee Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe (R), one of America’s most influential climate science deniers, famously threw a snowball on the floor of the Senate this past February, his way of calling for calm amid what he calls climate change “hysteria.” It was a publicity stunt that is, unfortunately, emblematic
MoreOur Infrastructure, Ourselves by Heather Shayne Blakeslee Humans move in response to stimuli, just like most other living beings on this planet, whether it’s reflexively withdrawing our hand when we are burned by a pot on the gas stove, or deciding to take a back road when the highway is jammed. Both are relatively quick
MorePeople in Lawrence, Kansas, protest during President Obama’s visit. | Photos courtesy 350.org As the president meets with House Democrats, activists will urge them to reject Keystone XL and take meaningful action on climate Tomorrow, as President Obama visits Philadelphia to meet with House Democrats and plan their Congressional agenda, hundreds of climate change
Morestory by Liz PachecoWhen Bill McKibben published The End of Nature in 1989, it was the first book aimed at educating the general public on climate change. Since then, McKibben has given lectures, written books, penned articles and led countless campaigns to raise awareness and inspire action on climate change—this includes a
MoreUniversity of California Press, 128 pp., $21.95 written by Kirstin Dow and Thomas E. Downing reviewed by Katherine SilkaitiThe Atlas of Climate Change is a deftly illustrated and informative reference book about the state of the global climate today.
MoreI’m With the Bears: Short Stories From a Damaged PlanetEdited by Mark Martin (Verso Books, 200 pp., October 2011)
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