Break Through

From the Death of Environmentalism to the Politics of Possibility

By: Ted Nordhaus, Michael Shellenberger

Narrated by: Jeff Cummings

Environmental insiders Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus triggered a firestorm of debate with their self-published essay, "The Death of Environmentalism". In this eagerly anticipated follow-up, the authors expand upon their argument that the paradigms driving the environmental movement and much of liberal politics are outdated and ineffective. A politics centered on restricting human growth and development, they point out, does not resonate with the primary concerns of either the developing world or insecure modern Americans: nor can it solve a problem as large and complex as global warming. What is needed instead, they argue, is a new kind of development, motivated by an optimistic vision of the future that integrates ecological, social, and economic change. By shifting from a politics of fear and limits to one of expansive possibility, they say, we can galvanize American creativity and enterprise to tackle our most pressing challenges.©2007 Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"'The Death of Environmentalism'...has provoked a civil war among tree-huggers for its assertion that 'modern environmentalism...must die so that something new can live.' Sad to say, the authors are right." ( New York Times)

A New Look at the Environment

This is a fresh look at how to approach the deteriorating condition of the globe as well as minkind's role in the problem and practical approach to solutions. The positive approach of how to solve environmental concerns was refreshing. However, the criticism of past approaches was overdone and somewhat counterproductive.

Must Read

This book is not particularly well written; it jumps around, and occasionally loses focus. Nevertheless, I consider it a “must read” because it addresses, from a fundamentally liberal perspective, the glaring weaknesses of environmentalism, as well as many aspects of liberalism generally.

I used to consider myself both liberal and environmentalist. But, over the years, the underlying pessimism of both systems has driven me away. This book shines a light upon many of these aspects of pessimism, and proposes a renewed system to focus the world’s creativity and optimism on making progress towards real prosperity (which includes positive ecological change).

Prescient writings.

Great precursor to the EcoModernist movement. Abundant clean energy spurring innovation & economy seems opposite to the xR folk.

Interesting that this was written just before the authors took a deep dive into nuclear energy tech, which has somewhat altered their view on clean energy.

The "wealthy yet frightened of loosing status " ideas are things I have been noticing recently.

outdated

the 1st chapter told me this was written when he believed devastating things will happen

Trojan horse for the free market

Nordhaus and Shellenberger give us a new vision of post environmentalism, an ugly nightmare where wilderness and biodiversity are all just human constructs and people revert into fantasy to find reality. In a world of finite resources the infinite possibilities of our imaginations cannot trump the real world of limitations. Nordhaus and Shellenberger have been watching too much T.V.