Am I Too Old to Save the Planet?
Why American boomers are uniquely responsible for the climate crisis—and what to do about it.
Why American boomers are uniquely responsible for the climate crisis—and what to do about it.
Why American boomers are uniquely responsible for the climate crisis—and what to do about it.
Cultural & social, Environmental policy, Global warming & climate change
Think you’ve waited too long to do something about climate change? Think again.
Am I Too Old to Save the Planet? A Boomer’s Guide to Climate Action explains how America’s most promising generation allowed climate change to become a planetary emergency - and what to do about it now.
A former foreign correspondent and vice president of the World Resources Institute, Lawrence MacDonald shares his journey to becoming a passionate climate activist. Packed with practical advice, his book invites fellow boomers to join the growing global movement to save the planet.
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We would do well to heed MacDonald's advice. You'd do well to read his book. ~ Happily Rewired, https://www.happilyrewired.com/2024/01/on-climate-actions-speak-louder-than-words.html
Think you’ve waited too long to do something about climate change? Think again. Am I Too Old to Save the Planet? A Boomer’s Guide to Climate Action explains how America’s most promising generation allowed climate change to become a planetary emergency - and what to do about it now. A former foreign correspondent and vice president of the World Resources Institute, Lawrence MacDonald shares his journey to becoming a passionate climate activist. Packed with practical advice, his book invites fellow boomers to join the growing global movement to save the planet. Well the good news is that no, Boomers, it is NOT too late to get geared up and do something about climate change. Furthermore, YOU can be heroes in the story of climate change. You might not like to hear it, as many of you have long told pollsters you consider yourselves environmentalists, but collectively you have exacerbated the climate crisis more than any other generation. In the past decade, the world has careened through a series of panic-inducing climate records. Seas are rising and acidifying. From the peaks of the Himalayas to the permafrost of Siberia, ice is thawing. And deforestation continues to tear down swathes of oxygen-gifting plant life. This year, teenagers organized a series of strikes to protest government inaction on the environment across the world. But there’s evidence that boomers are less convinced of the dangers of the rapidly unfolding climate crisis. Boomers. The climate crisis. Christmas. Too much wine. It’s a potent mix. Once you’ve got Brexit out the way and conversation at the dinner table turns to our planet’s wanton destruction, it will pay to keep a cool, rational head. Here’s how to explain the climate crisis to more aged relatives in a way that maximizes the likelihood of persuasion and minimizes the likelihood of a festive blow-out! The fact that it’s your family should put you at an advantage compared to attempting the same conversation with a stranger on the street. You know the person you’re speaking to, and therefore you can personalize your pitch. Simply put, if you know that you’re talking to somebody who isn’t that concerned about climate change, but you know that they care a lot about people – they volunteer or they do charity work – you might come up with a narrative about climate change’s impact on people. If you think that this moral dimension of harm is important to someone you know, that’s a frame that you could use, of course, but, and this is important, a rambling monologue does not an effective argument make. You need to actually listen to what people say and not just look for a gap to make your case. Through this book, Gentle hopes to turn more of us older Americans from complainers and worriers into people who are fixing the problems that assail us. And with climate change now a bigger hotbed of topic on everyone’s mind than ever before, and with an increasing number of young people passionately advocating for climate action, Gentle encouraging us Boomers to rise up is as perfectly timed a chant now as it could ever have hoped to be. ~ Anne Carlini - Exclusive Magazine, https://annecarlini.com/ex_books.php?id=575
Kirkus Verdict: "Get It" MacDonald presents a pragmatic look at how and why older citizens should tackle the climate crisis. This entry in the Resetting Our Future series focuses on the so-called baby boomer generation’s connection to the issue of climate change. Many readers in that demographic have likely winced when young climate activists like Greta Thunberg have proclaimed in public speeches, “You don’t give a damn about us”; the author, himself a boomer, assembles here a wide range of actions (and self-evaluations) concerned older people can take to make a difference in the existential crisis facing human society. “I know from my own experience that facing the reality of a looming global catastrophe can cause anxiety, grief, even depression,” MacDonald writes. “Working with others helps to overcome these feelings, bringing renewed hope, courage, and joy.” He describes familiar steps his cohort can take—things like eating less meat, doing less driving (and no flying), moving their money out of banks that prop up the fossil fuel industry, and switching to solar power. The author lists a great many climate initiative organizations boomers can join (or follow for informed news) and touches on every aspect of climate activism, from its connection to major faith traditions to the logistics of start-up campaigns. Each chapter ends with an inset “Action Checklist.” MacDonald’s wide-ranging approach is presented in prose that’s both clear and unfailingly encouraging. He directly addresses the sense of overwhelmed defeat that many boomers feel in the face of the enormity of climate change and encourages them to confront the subject directly—up to and including getting arrested: “If millions of boomers and others who say they are prepared to engage in climate-related civil disobedience actually did so,” he writes, “would it make a difference? Yes!” This guide will send readers forth feeling empowered and optimistic. An energetic and upbeat action plan to help boomers address climate change issues. ~ Kirkus Review, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lawrence-macdonald/am-i-too-old-to-save-the-planet/
This small book is a gem of great value: it will turn more of us older Americans from complainers and worriers into people who are fixing the problems that assail us. It makes a powerful case for generational action; if the kids can do it so can we! ~ Bill McKibben, founder of Th!rdAct and author of The Flag, The Cross and The Station Wagon
All my hand-wringing progressive friends need to read "Am I too old to save the planet?" now. MacDonald’s timely handbook on the climate crisis not only offers concrete steps we can take as individuals to transform the future but, importantly, invites us to join with others in collective action to bring about the systemic change that is needed. It’s about we, not me. ~ Helen Stoltzfus, Playwright, Performer, Co-Artistic Director, Black Swan Arts & Media
OK, Boomer, here's your chance to prove a thousand memes wrong. Lawrence MacDonald has written the ultimate, clear-eyed guide to make a difference, and it goes well beyond refusing the plastic bag at the checkout counter and other single actions. It's about feasibility, impact, and spreadability, as the book states clearly. Just do it indeed! ~ Gernot Wagner, Climate Economist, Columbia Business School and author of But Will the Planet Notice? How Smart Economics Can Save the World
As a member of the baby boom generation, I'm well aware of the skills and connections we acquire over our lives that can be used to make the world a better place. MacDonald's book provides a practical guide for people of a "certain age" who want to leave a livable planet for future generations. We can make a difference at any age. This book details the many things that boomers have to offer. ~ Madeleine Para, Executive Director, Citizens Climate Lobby
This thoughtful and highly readable book is an honest look at a powerful (and often under-appreciated!) generation and all they can still do to save our collective future. Lawrence MacDonald sounds an urgent call and offers concrete ways to take meaningful climate action. A critical book for our times. ~ Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Founder and CEO of Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action
Drawing on his experience as a climate advocate and a career in policy communications, MacDonald spells out in clear and actionable language what each of us can do, on our own and with others, to confront the existential challenge of our time. This is a how-to guide for those who want to do their part to stand up to the climate crisis. It’s essential reading for those who want to look our children in the eye - and leave them a livable future. It’s a message of hope grounded in the timeless truth that it’s never too late to make a difference. ~ Manish Bapna, President and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council
I read many climate books, and I found fresh insights and useful reminders in this book. Lawrence MacDonald delivers a breezy walk through what people can do individually and, most importantly, collectively. Am I too old to save the planet? offers a handy synthesis for people at all stages of their climate learning and action journey. ~ Greg Dalton, Founder and Host, Climate One Podcast
This book is a powerful call to baby boomers to protect our world and our legacy from the calamity of climate change. It is not too late to ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a healthy planet and enjoy a good life. This book provides a roadmap for reaching that goal. ~ Mona Sarfaty, Founder, Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University
In tracing his own arc of awareness of the need for increased climate activism, Lawrence gives baby boomers a thoughtful and inspiring guide to up our game. Third Act’s mottos of ‘no time to waste’ and ‘old and bold’ are writ large on every page. ~ Deborah Kushner, Co-Founder, Th!rdAct Virginia
Lawrence MacDonald’s “Am I too old to save the planet?' answers strongly: No! We elders are living longer and healthier to take responsibility for this essential role. We were born for this, and now is our time to act as good ancestors! MacDonald’s masterpiece shows us the way. ~ John Sorensen, Founder, Elders Action Network
OK boomers, you're up! Lawrence MacDonald has given his generation a warm invitation and a road map (remember those?) for bringing their much-needed power and experience to the climate movement. Whoever we are, MacDonald reminds us, we are already exactly who we need to be to respond to the climate crisis with integrity and compassion. To anyone at any age who is ready to find your place among the climate protectors fighting for the common home we share, welcome--this book is for you. ~ Joelle Novey, Director, Interfaith Power and Light, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
As a late boomer myself, I couldn't put this book down. MacDonald brings moral clarity and practical know-how to the urgent premise: Boomers can and should do more to fight climate change. Be careful, this book could change your life. ~ Mike Tidwell, Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Cute title and it did hook me and make me curious. And the book was better than I expected. I think most readers are going to do what I did and skip the first few chapters to get to the meat of it which is what Boomers CAN do. I liked that it wasn't just general suggestions, but rather did cater to us Boomers and where we are in life. In fact the book does that quite well; I found much of it to be relevant to me and how I live, so though I was prepared to scoff at this book (yes, I'm that kind of boomer) I found myself impressed. This would not be a bad book to keep on your reference shelf and to challenge yourself to take a few of the suggestions to heart. Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. To the other generations: Get this book as a holiday present for the boomers in your life! ~ Sara Aoyama (Reviewer)