The Infinite Resource

February 15, 2013
As the world teeters on the brink of dramatic, perhaps catastrophic, transformation due to climate change, it is hard to find good news anywhere. Luckily, business and technology ethicist Naam knows where to look. The increasingly noteworthy author of More Than Human (2005) and a debut sf novel, Nexus (2013), Naam says there is much to decry as he cites all the usual suspects, from rising sea levels to devastating droughts. But there is also much to celebrate, from humankind's proven ability to conquer adversity through innovation to the limitless availability of renewable resources such as solar and wind power. By providing a detailed, statistically rich historical background on many of the detrimental practices and attitudes that have brought humanity to the nail-biting precipice that may await a century from now, Naam strengthens his soberly confident, if not cautiously optimistic, predictions for how humans can walk it back from the edge of disaster. Though some of his arguments may evoke controversy, Naam nonetheless presents a balanced and ecumenical approach through cogent, well-researched positions.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)