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Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism (Our Sustainable Future) Our Sustainable Future Edition

by Ozzie Zehner (Author)

165 ratings

Part of: Our Sustainable Future (12 books)

Goodreads Choice Award nominee

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We don’t have an energy crisis. We have a consumption crisis. And this book, which takes aim at cherished assumptions regarding energy, offers refreshingly straight talk about what’s wrong with the way we think and talk about the problem. Though we generally believe we can solve environmental problems with more energy—more solar cells, wind turbines, and biofuels—alternative technologies come with their own side effects and limitations. How, for instance, do solar cells cause harm? Why can’t engineers solve wind power’s biggest obstacle? Why won’t contraception solve the problem of overpopulation lying at the heart of our concerns about energy, and what will?

This practical, environmentally informed, and lucid book persuasively argues for a change of perspective. If consumption is the problem, as Ozzie Zehner suggests, then we need to shift our focus from suspect alternative energies to improving social and political fundamentals: walkable communities, improved consumption, enlightened governance, and, most notably, women’s rights. The dozens of first steps he offers are surprisingly straightforward. For instance, he introduces a simple sticker that promises a greater impact than all of the nation’s solar cells. He uncovers why carbon taxes won’t solve our energy challenges (and presents two taxes that could). Finally, he explores how future environmentalists will focus on similarly fresh alternatives that are affordable, clean, and can actually improve our well-being.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Causing shockwaves...Not anti-green but simply asking questions" -The Sunday Times

"Terrific book. . . . Zehner is especially good at untangling sloppy thinking." -David Owen, The New Yorker and author of Green Metropolis

Top Nonfiction Books --Goodreads

"This book takes a look at the dark underbelly of 'green energy' and attempts to shift the US dialogue to a more pressing problem: consumption."--Christian Science Monitor

AWARDS

Nautilus Book Award Winner
IPPY Award Winner
Best Earth Day Books - Christian Science Monitor
N. California Book Award Winner

From the Inside Flap

Green Illusions is a critical primer on solar cells, wind turbines, biofuels, nuclear power, clean coal, and electric cars. It also delivers three dozen first steps around the themes of environmental justice, overpopulation, rebound effects, energy economics, degrowth, taxes, bicycling, livable neighborhoods, and energy conservation.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Nebraska Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 1, 2012
Edition ‏ : ‎ Our Sustainable Future
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0803237758
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0803237759
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.25 x 9 inches
Part of series ‏ : ‎ Our Sustainable Future
Best Sellers Rank: #421,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #30 in Business Development
- #37 in Environmental Studies
- #49 in Alternative & Renewable Energy
Customer Reviews:
165 ratings

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Ozzie Zehner

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The Sunday Times describes Ozzie Zehner as "an academic who is causing shockwaves." He is the author of Green Illusions and a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. He regularly guest lectures at universities and public policy organizations.

Ozzie Zehner has written for Christian Science Monitor, The American Scholar, The Humanist, Grist, The Futurist, Women's Studies Quarterly and other publications. He has spoken on energy and environmentalism on CNN, MSNBC, PBS, BBC, CBC and numerous local TV & radio programs. He attended Kettering University (BS -Engineering) and The University of Amsterdam (MS/Drs - Science and Technology Studies).

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165 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well worth reading, with one noting it brings new thinking to the environmental scene. Moreover, the information quality receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting its extensive scientific understanding. Additionally, the book is thought-provoking, encouraging readers to question their everyday choices, and customers praise its pacing as an outstanding effort. They appreciate its approach to energy use, particularly its focus on reducing energy consumption, and one customer describes it as an eye-opener.

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Readability Information quality Thought provoking Pacing Energy use Presentation

22 customers mention "Readability"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining to read, with several noting it's a must-read for environmentalists. One customer mentions it brings new thinking to the environmental scene, while another appreciates its balanced response to climate change activists.

"...I was completely wrong on this. Very informative and a great read. It looks into the side effects of clean energy no one wants to talk about...." Read more

"...It so far is very informative. Good read on why green power is not as green as one might think -----and how we should be addressing the..." Read more

"Good book for offering critical perspectives on "green" energy..." Read more

"...This is an excellent book that I will read and refer back to again and again." Read more

18 customers mention "Information quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very informative, with one customer highlighting its extensive scientific understanding and another noting how it explores little-known factors.

"...It is not only extremely informative and thought-provoking, but also entertaining, funny and simply a pleasure to read...." Read more

"...I was completely wrong on this. Very informative and a great read. It looks into the side effects of clean energy no one wants to talk about...." Read more

"this was an very informative and therefore scary prospect for our clean energy future and Our Future period...." Read more

"...I bought this book because I was seeking an honest, open analysis of "what can the average person do help with the climate/environmental..." Read more

14 customers mention "Thought provoking"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and insightful, with one customer noting how it encourages questioning everyday choices.

"...Thanks to the author for a candid and striking discussion of topics that have typically been swept under the rug in our American society...." Read more

"Excellent information, informative, insightful...." Read more

"Without a doubt, this is the most engaging and insightful book I've read on environmental issues...." Read more

"...ideas to use, but reading it was a bit heavy going - the points were fascinating but a little bit laboured." Read more

7 customers mention "Pacing"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, describing it as an outstanding effort that holds nothing back, with one customer noting how it demolishes the myth of clean energy.

"An outstanding effort put forth by someone with leftist sympathies who truly wishes alternate energy was viable, but is honest enough to come to..." Read more

"...right after many environmentalist sacred calves and holds nothing back in Green Illusions...." Read more

"...The point is well made and realistic that if we humans don't get our population and demands on Earth in check, well, it is not a good outcome for..." Read more

"An monumental work that is a must-read for anyone who's willing to open their mind about the incapability of green technology in fulfilling our..." Read more

5 customers mention "Energy use"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's approach to energy use, particularly its focus on reducing consumption, with one customer noting its balanced perspective that doesn't demonize alternative energy sources.

"...outlines a set of simple and proven first steps focused on reduction of energy use; steps that, will not only set us on the right trajectory and..." Read more

"...(such as energy consumption reduction, bikeable and walkable communities, healthcare and women's rights..." Read more

"...Very informative and a great read. It looks into the side effects of clean energy no one wants to talk about. Good book" Read more

"This book has done an excellent job not to demonize alternative energy, but rather to encourage me to question my everyday choices and make smarter..." Read more

4 customers mention "Presentation"3 positive1 negative

Customers appreciate the presentation of the book, with one describing it as an eye opener.

"Great exposure of the "green" industry; very thorough and thought provoking" Read more

"eye opener..." Read more

"...Not a typical presentation." Read more

"This is an incredible presentation of well sourced material...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

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Jocelyn Mercado
This is a life-changing book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2014
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I already had some mild opinions about environmentalism, drilling for oil, empty consumerism, the U.S. car culture, etc before reading this book. I bought this book because I was seeking an honest, open analysis of "what can the average person do help with the climate/environmental crisis?" This book has absolutely, 110%, answered my question.

Zehner has provided important information that all Americans (really, all people in industrialized countries) should be exposed to. You'll find out why solar cells, wind power, ethanol, and other "green" energy solutions are not as perfect as they are touted in the popular media. You'll probably be shocked to comprehend exactly how deeply ingrained we are in U.S. culture with the need to drive cars, buy as much as possible, and work overtime. Think about it - what do people really want? More vacation time? More time with the people we love, friends and family? More time outdoors in nature? And yet what do we do everyday? We go to work, go to the store, sit in traffic, eat prepackaged food, and watch TV. Do these activities make us happier? Healthier? More able to enjoy every moment? No. Absolutely not. The book includes realistic ways for real people to start small in reversing the unhealthy, damaging habits we have developed in our society over the past few hundred years, as well as larger, more sweeping suggestions for communities and the government to consider.

If you want to read a book that will make you question your current way of life, and start working toward living a better life right now, read this book. If you're paying any attention at all, it will spur you into action. Let's start taking better care of ourselves and our earth, today, right now. Thanks to the author for a candid and striking discussion of topics that have typically been swept under the rug in our American society. This is an excellent book that I will read and refer back to again and again.

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16 people found this helpful

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GlobalChangeSupercenter5
Sobering, Essential, Troubling
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
"Green Illusions" is the best kind of critical journalism, written by a researcher with the good of the cause in mind. The deconstructions of solar, wind, biofuels, batteries, suburbs, "green" academia are written with verve and extensive scientific understanding to extract the reality of our energy predicament. The challenge to orthodox green techno-optimism is very strong and cogent.
The difficulty comes in the more gee-whiz kind of "solutions" banality that occupies the latter half of the book. Zehner is quite right to state that walkable, bikable cities with less consumption would be the way to have some shot at human "sustainability," so his architect background leads him to envision this or that green living utopia, from Dutch cities to kids on bikes to efficient retrofits. Fine - yet where is the data to suggest that this is going to come out of the present supersystem of greenwash and big corporate extraction? All the necessary instruction in how we should have designed our global social infrastructure is irrelevant if we are Too Far Gone.
Robert Laughlin, in "Powering the Future," does not make the assumption that walkable/bikable/voluntary simplicity is the next phase of human social reality - carbon is going to come out of the ground, one way or another, until the last drop or chunk.
Look at the CO2 numbers - too high already, and on track to blow through any Gladwellian cliche. Look at the population figures, the server farms, the global waste, the complete corruption of the political governing bodies and process - and yet there is to be biking and non-coerced Amish living across the energy-hungry globe?

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18 people found this helpful

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Sara Bellum
An important read. Worth it.
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2013
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Excellent information, informative, insightful. You don't have to agree with, or certainly like, everything the author has to say to get a lot out of this book. It is almost sad that he is breaking new ground in talking about that taboo subject of the PROBLEMS with our teenage love affair with alternative, "green" energy.

Sometimes I think the data offered up is a bit skewed in defense of his points, but find me someone who doesn't do that for their publication, he is reasonable in his conclusions overall, even if not perhaps 100% always accurate - arguably, again, maybe he is - and that's the point, these things need to be discussed, even argued about more. If there is one thing I'd conclude about this book, it's not to let all the bad news get you down and throw this book on the pile of "Debbie Downer" harbingers of bad news, it is more than that. We need to evolve in our love affair and grow up when it comes to assessing - and applying - the realities of alternative energy beyond the conscripts of for-profit capitalism, and dreamy, black and white thinking of too many environmentalists who want to embrace all energy renewables, all the time, in all places. And what I love most is that he talks about reducing CONSUMPTION over all. Finally, someone is saying the "c' word!

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5 people found this helpful

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Bozone
Balanced
Reviewed in Australia on January 25, 2021
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Looks at all the alternatives to fossil fuelled energy sources and highlights vested interest pushing one technology over another. All technologies - solar, wind, hydro, nuclear - all have environmental impacts (including CO2) impacts which are never mentioned by proponents of the various technologies. A must read for any one requiring unbiased information.

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Elvis
THE book about green energy
Reviewed in Germany on August 24, 2019
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
The author is well red, informed and concious about the things that happen in this world. I enjoyed his observations about the media and our culture as a whole, about the things that are sold to us and about the things we want to buy ( I mean ideas and not items ).

However, this book is not very reader frendly. It seems, that the author just wanted to write everyhting that he could about every topic and it seems that he was not caring too much about the experience of the reader. He just wanted to write "The book about the green energy and environmentalism", and he did it by covering it from a lot of angles. But the books sometimes feels just too much.

The author acknowledged, that in order to improve the situation, you can not just chase after only one thing. He admitted that the society and our structures are connected and do not abide one simple force, however, even though author made smart suggestions, the overall solution still feels like a suggestion from a person who red a lot and thinks that - "this is how it is going to work". From my perspective, the word is more complex than that and you can not really influence the direction in which it is going with your "best" intentions.

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Kerry Kaminski
Great message in a time of a foolish rush to windmills, solar panels and EV's!
Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2017
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is a very well written and researched book by an environmentalist. It should be required reading by all would be environmentalists. Basically, the author does a thorough job of debunking all of the alleged alternative energies that will save us from the ills of fossil fuel use. The failures of those technologies should be obvious from a casual review of their economics alone and need for massive government supports to bring them into use. However, most people do not care to do simple counting and books like this become necessary to show illuminate all of their shortcomings in great detail. The book ends with a series of recommendations to take us to a lower consumption lifestyle, some of which are powerful, such as more women's empowerment to hopefully lead to smaller human populations, and "walkable", public transit/cycling dominant cities of apartment dwellers which are of much more dubious merit.

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solariane
à lire mais répétitif
Reviewed in France on April 17, 2014
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Une première partie intéressante qui mets le doigt sur les limitations importantes des énergies vertes...une seconde partie moins convaincante et surtout "lourde" où l'auteur insiste sur les "vraies alternatives" - c'est dommage parce que sur le fond le propos est assez limpide ( consommer moins / changer de modèle de société ) mais se noie dans les répétitions et des arguments plus discutables

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Green River
Everyday illusions clearly debunked
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 1, 2014
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Great and realistic expose of Green Delusions by Ozzie zehner and well worth getting a copy to run through his analyses. Look, I'm a deep green conservation activist and I've long seen the crass nature of the industrialisation of environmental rescue. The two do not mix in any rational manner. Ossie looks at this dichotomy in this book, with excellent exemplars and a good view to the future.

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Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars This is a life-changing book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Sobering, Essential, Troubling

4.0 out of 5 stars An important read. Worth it.

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced

4.0 out of 5 stars THE book about green energy

5.0 out of 5 stars Great message in a time of a foolish rush to windmills, solar panels and EV's!

4.0 out of 5 stars à lire mais répétitif

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyday illusions clearly debunked

This is a life-changing book!

Sobering, Essential, Troubling

An important read. Worth it.

Balanced

THE book about green energy

Great message in a time of a foolish rush to windmills, solar panels and EV's!

à lire mais répétitif

Everyday illusions clearly debunked