Hope for a Heated Planet: How Americans Are Fighting Global Warming and Building a Better Future

by Robert K Musil

Overview

Rejecting cries of gloom and doom, Hope for a Heated Planet shows how the fight against global warming can be won by the grassroots efforts of individuals. Robert K. Musil, who led the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization Physicians for Social Responsibility, explains that a growing new climate movement can produce unprecedented change-in the economy, public health, and home-while saving the planet.

Musil draws on personal experience and compelling data in this practical and rigorous analysis of the causes and cures for global warming. The book presents all the players in the most pressing challenge facing society today, from the massive fossil fuel lobby to the enlightened corporations that are joining the movement to "go green." Musil thoroughly explains the tremendous potential of renewable energy sources-wind, solar, and biofuel-and the startling conclusions of experts who say society can do away entirely with fossil fuels. He tells readers about the engaged politicians, activists, religious groups, and students who are already working together against climate change.

But the future depends, Musil insists, on what changes ordinary citizens make. Through personal choices and political engagement, he shows how readers can cut carbon emissions and create green communities where they live. With practical and realistic solutions, Hope for a Heated Planet inspires readers to be accountable and enables them to usher in an age of sustainability for future generations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813544113
Publisher:	Rutgers University Press
Publication date:	12/02/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Robert K. Musil is a scholar-in-residence and adjunct professor in the School of International Studies at American University where he teaches in the Program on Global Environmental Politics and the Nuclear Studies Institute. He is the past executive director and CEO of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) and its director of policy and programs from 1992-2006. He was the executive producer and host of "Consider the Alternatives," a weekly radio program syndicated to over 150 stations with two million listeners and a two-time winner of the Armstrong Award for excellence in radio broadcasting.

Table of Contents

Understanding climate change : a public health approach
Home, home on the range : climate change in the United States
The power of the carbon lobby
Framing and talking about global warming
Assessing the big greens : start over or build from strength?
The new climate movement
Where do emissions and energy come from?
Energy futures
Creating hope : what you can do
Hope for a heated planet : policy and politics

Editorial Reviews

"Global warming is a challenge we should meet with hope not fear, and a challenge that will make us stronger as a nation and as a people if we meet it head-on."

Chair, U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee - Senator Barbara Boxer

"Hope for a Heated Planet offers a clear-eyed assessment of the unprecedented challenge that climate change presents for today's Americans. Musil is a hardheaded yet hopeful Washington insider who is well-positioned to make the case that with a new generation of clean energy—and the energy of citizens across America—there is hope, indeed, for our heated planet."

president of the Worldwatch Institute - Chris Flavin

"Bob Musil's Hope for a Heated Planet is an act of faith, both secular and spiritual. This generous and thoughtful guide to understanding climate change will make all readers want to join the growing climate movement."

Vice President for Governmental Affairs, National Association of Evangelicals - Reverend Richard Cizik

"Optimistic and confident yet sensible and pragmatic, Musil tempers demanding rhetoric with definitive action, offering a voice of both reason and promise that illuminates the ongoing struggle to understand, contain, and reverse the climate-control crisis."

Booklist - Carol Haggas

"In this timely book on how to fight climate change, Musil captures history-in-the-making and offers us genuine hope for a better and sustainable future."

author of The Bridge at the Edge of the World - James Gustave Speth

"Hope for a Heated Planet is an excellent synthesis of everything you need to know about global warming, from science to solutions. It is authoritative and accessible, often witty and wise. Musil, a long-time environment and health leader, calls on Americans to get involved—from light bulbs to legislation, from the secular to the spiritual, from the backyard to the ballot box.

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President, League of Conservation Voters - Gene Karpinski

"Bob Musil has had a bird's eye view of the climate debate almost from its inception, and he has paid careful attention to both the problem and the solutions. This is a masterfully comprehensive account of both where we are and we sure better go."

author of Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future - Bill McKibben

"This work is intended to be read by everyone, and Musil hopes that it will inspire citizens to take action to reduce global warming. Throughout the book, Musil remains positive and optimistic about the future of the planet and avoids 'gloom and doom' warnings about our overheated future. Instead, he provides practical illustrations of how people can reduce their carbon emissions and help save the planet. Detailed chapter notes and a very complete index make this a very useful book to keep as a reference. Highly recommended."

Choice

"This work is intended to be read by everyone, and Musil hopes that it will inspire citizens to take action to reduce global warming. Throughout the book, Musil remains positive and optimistic about the future of the planet and avoids 'gloom and doom' warnings about our overheated future. Instead, he provides practical illustrations of how people can reduce their carbon emissions and help save the planet. Detailed chapter notes and a very complete index make this a very useful book to keep as a reference. Highly recommended."

From the Publisher