Our Fragile Moment

How Lessons from Earth's Past Can Help Us Survive the Climate Crisis

By: Michael E. Mann

Narrated by: Tim Campbell

In this sweeping work of science and history, the renowned climate scientist and author of The New Climate War shows us the conditions on Earth that allowed humans not only to exist but thrive, and how they are imperiled if we veer off course.

For the vast majority of its 4.54 billion years, Earth has proven it can manage just fine without human beings. Then came the first proto-humans, who emerged just a little more than 2 million years ago—a fleeting moment in geological time. What is it that made this benevolent moment of ours possible? Ironically, it’s the very same thing that now threatens us—climate change.

The drying of the tropics during the Pleistocene period created a niche for early hominids, who could hunt prey as forests gave way to savannahs in the African tropics. The sudden cooling episode known as the “Younger Dryas” 13,000 years ago, which occurred just as Earth was thawing out of the last Ice Age, spurred the development of agriculture in the fertile crescent. The “Little Ice Age” cooling of the 16th-19th centuries led to famines and pestilence for much of Europe, yet it was a boon for the Dutch, who were able to take advantage of stronger winds to shorten their ocean voyages.

The conditions that allowed humans to live on this earth are fragile, incredibly so. Climate variability has at times created new niches that humans or their ancestors could potentially exploit, and challenges that at times have spurred innovation. But there’s a relatively narrow envelope of climate variability within which human civilization remains viable. And our survival depends on conditions remaining within that range.

In this book, renowned climate scientist Michael Mann will arm readers with the knowledge necessary to appreciate the gravity of the unfolding climate crisis, while emboldening them—and others--to act before it truly does become too late.

Interesting because it is worrying.

Interesting and worrying. Rather too much historical detail and the constant referring to degrees Fahrenheit is annoying too. Mostbof thecworld doesn't understand that measurement.

The best book on the science of climate change for the general public! 

A brilliant explanation of how Earth’s past can help us understand our future. The most important takeaway? That if we act now, with the tools that we have, we can avert the worst ravages of climate disruption. 

.A listen for everyone.

The detailed explanation of all information covered. I will listen again and again. Something for any listener.

Outstanding

It's a slow read, but an important one. Historical record of global climate is helpful for perspective on our moment in time. The Many discussions of scientific theories over the years is helpful to add credibility to the author 's assertions, though the details are at times tedious.

Great Climate Science Book

Michael Mann surprised me by writing an extremely comprehensive, but easy to understand, climate science book. It covers a lot of the paleontology involved in climate science, but it doesn't slight the physics, chemistry, oceanography, meteorology, nor the human sociology. Mann is more against Doomism than many other climate scientists, and that comes through. He is more optimistic than most that we can stay under 1.5 degrees Celcius. But he does show how terrible climate change may be, especially if we get over 3 degrees C. Overall, it's a great book. Everyone should read it.