A Newer World

on the policy, politics, science and economics of environmental protection, sustainability, energy and climate change

Climate Mobilization or Transformation?

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Bill Hewitt

There are a lot of ideas out there to save the world from our global environmental crisis. Lester Brown’s Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization, Project Drawdown, and the Green New Deal among them. A friend of mine pointed out a new essay in the New York Times this morning, “Climate Change Is Not World War.” The writer, a professor of English, purports that “We are underestimating both the deep national trauma of World War II and our present challenge.” Here’s my reaction. Continue reading →

America, We Need to Talk

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Bill Hewitt

America, you need to read this book. In fact, America, this is a textbook for how to get yourself out of the regressed state in which you find yourself. It’s more: It’s an encyclopedia of the reasons why we’ve come to this parlous state in our history, why our democracy is at greater risk than it’s ever been, how we have been lied to and cheated on – including to and by ourselves, the missed chances for righting our wrongs, and the abundant opportunities that are ours for the taking. This book is a paean to good sense and civic engagement; a laurel wreath for our forebears who fought for freedom – political, economic, cultural, and spiritual; and it’s a recipe book for how to make nourishing, delectable meals to build our moral strength and satisfy our souls. Continue reading →