Environmental Issues

The book Field Notes from a Catastrophe Man, Nature, and Climate Change is a look into the state of the earths environment by Elizabeth Kolbert. From the United States to the Netherlands, from Europe to Asia to Africa, from Alaska to Vermont, Kolbert leads readers to the various states of devastation experienced today caused by climate change. It is a wake-up call to everyone to take an active part in caring for the environment.

The book is essentially a collection of first-hand accounts of Kolbert and the people she encountered in her numerous travels around the globe. Through their stories and observations, Kolbert brings to light the growing problems about climate change and the environment. She explores the various aspects of human consumption that have contributed to the rapid decline of nature. Her interviews with different experts provide scientific analysis of the problem. And the actual narration of drastic changes in various parts of the world challenges readers to think and thoroughly evaluate the situation.

One of the most telling effects of climate change is found in Alaska. People are being forced to leave their homes because it has become too risky to live there. In her words Kolbert describes these times as climate regime, one with which no modern humans have had no prior experience. The drastic change in the earths climate is a phenomenon modern man is not prepared for.

Another impending danger to the environment is the Greenhouse Effect. It is the absorption and retention of heat caused by too much carbon dioxide emission. Carbon dioxide is the number 1 waste product of industrialization. The United States is now the leading emitter of carbon in the world. Within the next 20 years, China is predicted to overtake this feat. If people do not find ways to reduce this waste, in a short time the earths temperature will increase dramatically.

The book also focuses on the different ways people are preparing for the imminent risk should the situation not be averted. The Netherlands is now encouraging their citizens who live by dikes and waterways to build amphibious homes. The government foresees bigger floods as the atmosphere uncontrollably shifts.

On the bright side, Kolbert shares the success of Burlington, Vermont. From 1989 the capital city of the state has been engaging in many environment friendly programs. For their efforts, the city is recognized as one of the best in the world.

Kolbert uses her extensive experience in reporting to tell the story. Her ability to persuade makes the book more compelling. The situations she highlighted in the book form a sense of accountability within the readers. With urgency she implores everyone to do his or her part to at least delay self-destruction as how some experts would describe the future of the environment.

The book serves its purpose of instilling better awareness for environmental issues. By using stories from everyday people, it makes the problem more real and relatable. Anyone who reads the book is bound to feel alarmed and subsequently moved to action. Kolbert describes the apathy of people about the environment by saying that many times issues panic people even when science remains cautious. With regards to the environment it is exactly the opposite, people are indifferent even when science already raises the red flag. Unless people start thinking about this situation seriously, the earth will speed down the path of irrevocable disaster. This holds no promise for a bright future for the next generations.