Emma’s review of We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast > Likes and Comments

I'm increasingly impatient at these writers' attempts to blame us, as individuals, rather than systemic and corporate forces for these problems. Thank you for your review.

P wrote: "I'm increasingly impatient at these writers' attempts to blame us, as individuals, rather than systemic and corporate forces for these problems. Thank you for your review."

I feel the same way. And this is especially irritating because he’s throwing us all these expectations whilst whining about how hard it’s been for him to make changes. He’s just so offensively lacking in awareness but also supremely assured of his own relevance and importance.

Sounds awful and not like something I'd enjoy

That's a shame. Handled properly this could have been a helpful and informing read. I have a number of friends who are passionate about this subject saying; "eat less meat" and "cut down on flying" but not everyone will sacrifice food and their holidays. (I haven't been on a plane for 15 years and I don't eat much meat. I also try to recycle plastic in my garden for planting vegetables and flowers, but that's just me). The older generation is blamed but it is big corporations, industries that are responsible for much of it. Too much money to be made and not enough thought for the future of our world and its people. I can't see a way to change it but would gladly try.

Michael wrote: "That's a shame. Handled properly this could have been a helpful and informing read. I have a number of friends who are passionate about this subject saying; "eat less meat" and "cut down on flying"..."

You’re exactly right Michael. I’m just about to go completely plant based and do all the other basic stuff... but I’ve always travelled a lot and I struggle with the idea of not flying. Especially since, as you say, the large corps don’t give two shits about this stuff and get away with all kinds of stuff. I wonder if we can really make a difference. Does it matter if I fly or not?? Will I have to change??

Eating meat (I, personally, don't) has moral implications beyond the environment. But no, we cannot individually change anything whatsoever, even if you or I decide not to fly. Corporations account for 75% of emissions. I'm hopeless at this point that radical change will be made.

P wrote: "Eating meat (I, personally, don't) has moral implications beyond the environment. But no, we cannot individually change anything whatsoever, even if you or I decide not to fly. Corporations account..."

You're right, and it's for that reason that I've chosen not to. I don't want something to die for my lunch. But it's pretty depressing that whatever 'normal' citizens do, nothing will change unless governments/business/industry/fashion/the food chain all make huge changes on a worldwide scale.

What a dick. Maybe he can go take a private airplane to Leo Dicaprio's gas guzzling yacht and come up with a plan to teach us all how to fight climate change.

Adam wrote: "What a dick. Maybe he can go take a private airplane to Leo Dicaprio's gas guzzling yacht and come up with a plan to teach us all how to fight climate change."

He genuinely seems like the kind of guy that would do that without a second's thought. That's basically what he's doing for this whole book....

Emma wrote: "Michael wrote: "That's a shame. Handled properly this could have been a helpful and informing read. I have a number of friends who are passionate about this subject saying; "eat less meat" and "cut..."

I think that if you love to travel then you should do so. Maybe you could fly less, but I don't think it will matter much as the super-rich will still hop on a private jet to go shopping! Lol. It sounds like you are doing the right things; small changes are better than no changes at all.

"The message is essential, but he's not the one to tell it." That's exactly what I thought while I was reading it. I've read a lot of nonfiction books about climate change and his is one of the worst. For anyone who wants more information on agriculture's effects on climate change and what we can do about it (besides become vegan) I recommend Anna Lappe's "Diet For A Hot Planet". The very best general information book about the science of climate change is former NASA director James Hansen's book "Storms Of My Grandchildren". And if you want to better understand why people aren't freaking out about climate change, which Foer fails spectacularly at explaining properly, check out "Don't Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired To Ignore Climate Change" by George Marshall

I thought this was inspiring and the exact opposite of putting the blame on someone or preaching. I'm assume it depends on the reader and their own perspective. However the essay does mention that blaming systemic and corporate force doesn't make any difference. And it doesn't, since everyone knows that's where the issue is. Yet we still buy their crap so why would they change their ways?

Kat wrote: ""The message is essential, but he's not the one to tell it." That's exactly what I thought while I was reading it. I've read a lot of nonfiction books about climate change and his is one of the wor..."

Thanks for those recommendations, I’ll definitely look them up. Especially the Marshall.

For those who like flying & driving around running up yer co2 omissions ;) there are sites like furtureforests dot com who allow you to calculate yer basic usage & present you with an option to plant trees to offset said emissions, which all goes to help.

As for us "older" generations getting the blame :) we used to wear the same clothes til they fell part & then we'd mend them / resole shoes etc - much of todays ill's are really to do with the "must have now" younger generation I must say.

Andy wrote: "For those who like flying & driving around running up yer co2 omissions ;) there are sites like furtureforests dot com who allow you to calculate yer basic usage & present you with an option to pla..."

The tree planting thing seems quite a big movement right now. And yeah fashion is and always has been a massive polluter. More and more as it’s gone global and worth billions.

For me, I do what I can to be environmentally friendly, but I also wonder what the point is when big companies and other countries have no intention to cut emissions or make any changes. My recycling is not going to offset that...

What do you think?

Emma wrote: "Andy wrote: "For those who like flying & driving around running up yer co2 omissions ;) there are sites like furtureforests dot com who allow you to calculate yer basic usage & present you with an ..."

Ive been doing the Tree planting to offset my carbon footprint for nigh on 25 years now, always been big on this as for me the main problem (bar overpopulation) is the way we're tearing up the forestry/jungle/natural habitat for our need of fast food (grassland for cattle & soya crop) /coffee (plantations) /new furniture etc - what makes me laugh is how all the corporations say that what they have produced is from sustainable sources which is maybe true for the last 2-3 years but what about the prior 3 decades when they've decimated over 50% of our natural habitat. When are they going to replant those habitats?

Maintaining the lungs of the earth should be the real priority but to do that they will have to take on the popular corporations that everybody finances before we'll see any real changes - mass boycott of global fast food & coffee chains would be a start but would there be a will.... local cafes & tea houses for me :)

Every bit helps is my final thought & always try be part of the solution. :)

and I thought it was just me, spot on my friend. It felt off topic and personal more than anything and sadly it could've been a great piece if more stabilized and targeted.

Donna wrote: "and I thought it was just me, spot on my friend. It felt off topic and personal more than anything and sadly it could've been a great piece if more stabilized and targeted."

Agreed! There was a total lack of focus here, except on himself.

Andy wrote: "Emma wrote: "Andy wrote: "For those who like flying & driving around running up yer co2 omissions ;) there are sites like furtureforests dot com who allow you to calculate yer basic usage & present..."

I completely understand your frustration with this. I'm really interested in this deforestation issue especially with regards to the habitat for big cats. Watching them increasingly squeezed into smaller and smaller areas, with the resulting increasing in conflict with humans, is so upsetting. The recent human started clearance fires in South America were particularly devastating. And for what? So humans can eat more burgers??

Emma: Yes, Yes, Yes!!! Your review (one star like mine) is similar, but written better. Thank you for finding the words.

Kim wrote: "Emma: Yes, Yes, Yes!!! Your review (one star like mine) is similar, but written better. Thank you for finding the words."

I think you got it spot on, Kim!!

I thought it was intelligent, thoughtful, and persuasive. Just goes to show! I would not be surprised that there are more than a few carnists rating this book low - holding out for those technical solutions ... ranting against big oil and legislators, feeling doomed, sighing that their hands are tied, and unfortunately still eating animals.

Judy wrote: "I thought it was intelligent, thoughtful, and persuasive. Just goes to show! I would not be surprised that there are more than a few carnists rating this book low - holding out for those technical ..."

I don't, so I'm doing better than he is.

Uh oh. That does not inspire confidence.

Mareike wrote: "Uh oh. That does not inspire confidence."

Plenty good stuff to read and listen to, just not this!

I got it as a gift, so I feel like I should at least try it.....eventually.

Mareike wrote: "I got it as a gift, so I feel like I should at least try it.....eventually."

Give it a go and see what you think for sure. Then we can discuss it!

Yes! This is so spot on! I went to a reading of this book and Foer was so uninspired. He only talked about himself. It was in Amsterdam and he had taken the plane. And of course he was going to fly to other European countries too to promote his new book. He said he felt a little guilty about that but also said he had no other choice. No other choice? Don’t come. Or take the train in Europe. I mean, at least do that! He wasn’t really involved in the subject, yeah, he ate meat because he just liked it. Wtf?! Than don’t come preaching to us if you yourself are part of the problem. Maybe he is depressed, I don’t know, but he has lost my trust and interest.

"the message is essential, but he's not the one to tell it"

I couldn't agree more.

His writing is a complete miss for me and trying to get through the book felt like torture.

I agree with this whole thread! I don't think I would have believed you without reading it myself, but everything said here is spot on. I'm kinda mad about.

Tara wrote: "I agree with this whole thread! I don't think I would have believed you without reading it myself, but everything said here is spot on. I'm kinda mad about."

I’m still mad about it and I read it ages ago.

Agata wrote: ""the message is essential, but he's not the one to tell it"

I couldn't agree more.

His writing is a complete miss for me and trying to get through the book felt like torture."


I was stunned by his serious lack of awareness. A definite miss.

Exactly.

Might did not give your narrow perspektivet anything, but many other people will get so much good and new from it.