Under a White Sky explained

Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future is a 2021 environmental book by Elizabeth Kolbert.[1] The book follows many of the themes she explored in The Sixth Extinction.

Summary

Under a White Sky is focused on the various kinds of environmental crises created by the Anthropocene and different degrees of technological solutions available to humanity to address them – while also being critical of full-blown techno-solutionism.[2] [3]

The title refers to the most extreme climate change mitigation strategy, solar geoengineering, designed to reflect sunlight from the earth. Throughout the book she explores how a technological fix for one problem can lead to further problems while also acknowledging the important role those technologies might play.[4]

Reception

Reception of the book was generally positive. The Washington Post praised it for "expertly mix[ing] travelogue, science reporting, and explanatory journalism, all with the authority of a writer confident enough to acknowledge ambiguity." The New York Times review focused on how the book explores the ambiguities of our current environmental crisis. A NPR review described the book as "tell[ing] by showing. Without beating the reader over the head, she makes it clear how far we already are from a world of undisturbed, perfectly balanced nature – and how far we must still go to find a new balance for the planet's future that still has us humans in it." The Rolling Stones Jeff Goodell lauded Kolbert by saying, "To be a well-informed citizen of Planet Earth, you need to read Elizabeth Kolbert..."[5]

Under a White Sky was shortlisted for the 2021 Wainwright Prize in the Global Conservation Writing category.[6] The book made the long list for the 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.[7] It was selected for The Washington Posts "10 Best Books of 2021" list.[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. UNDER A WHITE SKY . Kirkus . 2020-12-22. 2021-08-06. en-us.
  2. News: Szalai. Jennifer. Jennifer Szalai. 2021-02-10. Electrified Rivers and Other Attempts to Save the Environment. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-03-08. 0362-4331.
  3. News: 'Under A White Sky' Examines What It Might Take For Humans To Continue To Exist. 2021-03-08. Adam. Frank. NPR. 8 February 2021. en.
  4. News: Lozada. Carlos. Carlos Lozada (journalist). Review Why humanity can't be trusted to repair its own environmental damage. en-US. The Washington Post. 2021-03-08. 0190-8286.
  5. Web site: Elizabeth Kolbert.
  6. Web site: 2021-08-21. Sethi, Winn and Rebanks shortlisted for Wainwright Prize. 2021-08-05. The Bookseller. Ruth. Comerford.
  7. Web site: 2022 Winners . November 16, 2021 . American Library Association. 17 October 2021 .
  8. News: November 18, 2021 . The 10 Best Books of 2021 . . December 18, 2021.