Losing Earth: A Recent History

Losing Earth chronicles the critical decade from 1979 to 1989 when humanity first came to understand the reality of climate change. The narrative focuses on a small group of scientists, activists, and politicians who attempted to raise awareness and push for policy action on global warming. The book tracks key figures including environmental lobbyist Rafe Pomerance and NASA scientist James Hansen as they work to bring climate science into the realm of public policy. Their efforts to educate government officials and build political momentum unfold against the backdrop of industry opposition and institutional inertia. The story moves through pivotal moments in climate history, from early scientific discoveries to congressional hearings and international diplomatic negotiations. Rich draws from interviews, government documents, and private correspondence to reconstruct the events and decisions that shaped our current climate crisis. This work raises fundamental questions about human nature and our capacity to address long-term threats. Through its examination of a pivotal historical moment, the book reveals patterns of institutional failure and missed opportunities that continue to resonate in contemporary climate politics.

Readers note that the book focuses heavily on the period from 1979-1989, rather than covering the full history of climate change awareness. Many appreciate Rich's narrative style and his detailed portrayal of the key players who tried to address climate change during this period. What readers liked: - Clear explanation of political dynamics - Deep research into historical documents - Engaging storytelling approach - Focus on specific individuals and their efforts What readers disliked: - Limited scope (primarily 1979-1989) - Lack of solutions or action items - Too US-centric - Minimal coverage of industry opposition - Some found it repetitive Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (230+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Important historical context but leaves you wanting more about what happened after 1989." Several readers mentioned the book works better as long-form journalism (its original form in NY Times Magazine) than as a full book.

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🌍 Although climate change feels like a recent concern, the book reveals that by 1979, scientists already knew nearly everything we know today about climate change—including how to stop it. 🏢 Exxon was once at the forefront of climate research, with the company's own scientists predicting current CO2 levels and temperature rises with remarkable accuracy in the late 1970s. 📅 The book began as a 30,000-word article for The New York Times Magazine in August 2018, occupying an entire issue—the first time in the publication's history that a single story took up an entire issue. 🌡️ The narrative focuses on the pivotal decade of 1979-1989, when humanity came closest to solving the climate crisis before political and industrial interests derailed global action. ✍️ Author Nathaniel Rich is the son of renowned New York film critic Frank Rich, and his brother Simon Rich is a well-known comedy writer who has written for Saturday Night Live and Pixar.