Stewart Brand on Whole Earth Discipline: An Ecopragmatist Manifesto
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GBN in Conversation with co-founder Stewart Brand—author of Whole Earth Discipline: An Ecopragmatist Manifesto
Click here to listen to or download the podcast.
It’s not easy being both an “icon” and a heretic of the environmental movement, but GBN cofounder Stewart Brand pulls it off with the originality, humor, and eloquence his readers have come to expect. In his breathtaking new book, Whole Earth Discipline: An Ecopragmatist Manifesto (Viking, October 2009), Stewart tackles a number of “sacred cows,” replacing stale ideology with a refreshing, rigorous commitment to solving problems.
The timing and focus of this re-examination springs from three profound transformations that are currently underway. Climate change and its impacts are not only real, but will require systemic approaches to managing the planet. Urbanization is unstoppable—50 percent of the world's population lives in cities, and 80 percent will by midcentury—and is altering humanity's ecological and economic footprint. And biotechnology, soon to be the world's dominant engineering tool, presents huge opportunities as well as risks. In light of these changes, argues Stewart, we need to rethink many of the central ideas of the Green movement and embrace long-distrusted positions and tools. He makes a strong case that urban living uses resources more efficiently; old-style farming is not sustainable given present climatic conditions; and nuclear power has proven its effectiveness and safety in other countries including France whose carbon footprint has substantially been reduced by its use.
Ultimately, Stewart is not only advocating a change in habits, but a fundamental, philosophical change towards stewardship of the planet. With a combination of scientific rigor and passionate advocacy, he reveals the sources of our dilemmas and offers bold and inventive policies and solutions to create a more sustainable society.
Click here to listen to or download the podcast.
It’s not easy being both an “icon” and a heretic of the environmental movement, but GBN cofounder Stewart Brand pulls it off with the originality, humor, and eloquence his readers have come to expect. In his breathtaking new book, Whole Earth Discipline: An Ecopragmatist Manifesto (Viking, October 2009), Stewart tackles a number of “sacred cows,” replacing stale ideology with a refreshing, rigorous commitment to solving problems.
The timing and focus of this re-examination springs from three profound transformations that are currently underway. Climate change and its impacts are not only real, but will require systemic approaches to managing the planet. Urbanization is unstoppable—50 percent of the world's population lives in cities, and 80 percent will by midcentury—and is altering humanity's ecological and economic footprint. And biotechnology, soon to be the world's dominant engineering tool, presents huge opportunities as well as risks. In light of these changes, argues Stewart, we need to rethink many of the central ideas of the Green movement and embrace long-distrusted positions and tools. He makes a strong case that urban living uses resources more efficiently; old-style farming is not sustainable given present climatic conditions; and nuclear power has proven its effectiveness and safety in other countries including France whose carbon footprint has substantially been reduced by its use.
Ultimately, Stewart is not only advocating a change in habits, but a fundamental, philosophical change towards stewardship of the planet. With a combination of scientific rigor and passionate advocacy, he reveals the sources of our dilemmas and offers bold and inventive policies and solutions to create a more sustainable society.
