Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism

by Ozzie Zehner

Overview

We don’t have an energy crisis. We have a consumption crisis. And this book, which takes aim at cherished assumptions regarding energy, offers refreshingly straight talk about what’s wrong with the way we think and talk about the problem. Though we generally believe we can solve environmental problems with more energy—more solar cells, wind turbines, and biofuels—alternative technologies come with their own side effects and limitations. How, for instance, do solar cells cause harm? Why can’t engineers solve wind power’s biggest obstacle? Why won’t contraception solve the problem of overpopulation lying at the heart of our concerns about energy, and what will?

This practical, environmentally informed, and lucid book persuasively argues for a change of perspective. If consumption is the problem, as Ozzie Zehner suggests, then we need to shift our focus from suspect alternative energies to improving social and political fundamentals: walkable communities, improved consumption, enlightened governance, and, most notably, women’s rights. The dozens of first steps he offers are surprisingly straightforward. For instance, he introduces a simple sticker that promises a greater impact than all of the nation’s solar cells. He uncovers why carbon taxes won’t solve our energy challenges (and presents two taxes that could). Finally, he explores how future environmentalists will focus on similarly fresh alternatives that are affordable, clean, and can actually improve our well-being.

Watch a book trailer.

Ozzie Zehner, who has collaborated on numerous projects in industry, government, and academia, is a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780803237759
Publisher:	Nebraska Paperback
Publication date:	06/01/2012
Series:	Our Sustainable Future
Pages:	464
Sales rank:	568,451
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Ozzie Zehner, who has collaborated on numerous projects in industry, government, and academia, is a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
List of Figures
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Unraveling the Spectacle
 
Part I: Seductive Futures
1. Solar Cells and other Fairy Tales
2. Wind Power's Flurry of Limitations
3. Biofuels and the Politics of Big Corn
4. The Nuclear-Military-Industrial Risk Complex 
5. The Hydrogen Zombie
6. Conjuring Clean Coal
7. Hydropower, Hybrids, and other Hydras
 
Part II: From Here to There
8. The Alternative-Energy Fetish
9. The First Step
 
Part III: The Future of Environmentalism
10. Women's Rights
11. Improving Consumption
12. The Architecture of Community
13. Efficiency Culture
14. Asking Questions
 
Epilogue: A Grander Narrative?
Resources for Future Environmentalism
Notes
Index
 

What People are Saying About This

Booklist Online - Carl Hays

"What set Zehner's work apart from the glut of other environment-related titles are his fresh ideas and superlatively engaging prose."—Carl Hays, Booklist Online

John Perkins

“Provocative and essential! Green Illusions shakes us awake to the true challenges we face as a species . . . and inspires us to take action.”—John Perkins, author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

slate.com - Sarah Rothbard

"With chapter subtitles like "Step Away From the Pom-Poms" and epigraphs from the likes of Dr. Seuss, Zehner is a delightful apostate in the church of green energy."—Sarah Rothbard, slate.com

Editorial Reviews

"What set Zehner's work apart from the glut of other environment-related titles are his fresh ideas and superlatively engaging prose."—Carl Hays, Booklist Online

Booklist Online - Carl Hays

"With chapter subtitles like "Step Away From the Pom-Poms" and epigraphs from the likes of Dr. Seuss, Zehner is a delightful apostate in the church of green energy."—Sarah Rothbard, slate.com

slate.com - Sarah Rothbard

"As a nation, we have hard decisions before us. We need to find actual, tangible solutions that will make a real difference. Our path begins with critical thinking and informed choices. This book helps us get started."—Jonathan Hladik, Great Plains Research

Jonathan Hladik - Great Plains Research

"This book is a must read for anyone concerned with sustainable living."—Daniel J. Benor, International Journal of Healing and Caring

International Journal of Healing and Caring - Daniel J. Benor

"All Americans should read this book."—K. J. White, Choice

Choice - K. J. White

“Provocative and essential! Green Illusions shakes us awake to the true challenges we face as a species . . . and inspires us to take action.”—John Perkins, author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

John Perkins

"This book is a must read for anyone concerned with sustainable living."—Daniel J. Benor, International Journal of Healing and Caring

— Daniel J. Benor

International Journal of Healing and Caring

"With chapter subtitles like "Step Away From the Pom-Poms" and epigraphs from the likes of Dr. Seuss, Zehner is a delightful apostate in the church of green energy."—Sarah Rothbard, slate.com

— Sarah Rothbard

slate.com

"What set Zehner's work apart from the glut of other environment-related titles are his fresh ideas and superlatively engaging prose."—Carl Hays, Booklist Online

— Carl Hays

Booklist Online

Alternative solutions to the growing energy crisis other than alternative energy. "Green" technology and energy solutions are all the rage as global warming, rising populations and unheard-of oil prices confront the world. However, asks Zehner, "do we have a society capable of being powered by alternative energy?" His answer is no. With thorough research, the author demonstrates that no amount of solar panels, wind turbines, biodiesel, nuclear plants or "clean" coal will solve these global problems. The underlying issue is not the lack of energy or a new way to generate it but overconsumption of available energy and resources. Zehner proves that many of today's "green" solutions would be prohibitively expensive on a grand scale and/or cause more environmental damage than good. The author examines "some ideas that, hopefully [will] spur some thought into how we might practically move from material and energy consumption to more durable and meaningful forms of social growth and well-being." These ideas include the creation of more "walking communities," cities in which the basic needs of citizens can be reached on foot or by bicycle. He also advocates "advancing the rights of women and girls," since contraceptive education is just one part of the puzzle of population explosion, and he suggests the creation of a "Department of Efficiency," which would be responsible for reducing the rampant waste of energy. "America has plenty of energy—more than twice as much as it needs," he writes. "We just waste most of it." By offering readers numerous steps toward reaching attainable goals, Zehner hopes environmentalists will initiate a shift of focus to "women's rights, consumer culture, walkable neighborhoods, military spending, zoning, health care, wealth disparities, citizen governance, economic reform, and democratic institutions." A bold look at the downside of green technologies and a host of refreshingly simple substitute solutions.

Kirkus Reviews