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Ozzie Zehner
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Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism (Our Sustainable Future) Paperback – Illustrated, 1 Jun. 2012

English edition by Ozzie Zehner (Autor)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 131 ratings
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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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  1. Part of series
    Our Sustainable Future
  2. Print length
    464 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    University of Nebraska Press
  5. Publication date
    1 Jun. 2012
  6. Dimensions
    15.24 x 3.18 x 22.86 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    0803237758
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0803237759
  9. See all details
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Review

"A bold look at the downside of green technologies and a host of refreshingly simple substitute solutions."--Kirkus-- (4/15/2012 12:00:00 AM)

"All Americans should read this book."--K. J. White, Choice

"As a nation, we have hard decisions before us. We need to find actual, tangible solutions that will make a real difference. Our path begins with critical thinking and informed choices. This book helps us get started."--Jonathan Hladik, Great Plains Research

"This book is a must read for anyone concerned with sustainable living."--Daniel J. Benor, International Journal of Healing and Caring

"What set Zehner's work apart from the glut of other environment-related titles are his fresh ideas and superlatively engaging prose."--Carl Hays, Booklist Online

"With chapter subtitles like "Step Away From the Pom-Poms" and epigraphs from the likes of Dr. Seuss, Zehner is a delightful apostate in the church of green energy."--Sarah Rothbard, slate.com-- (8/1/2012 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Ozzie Zehner, who has collaborated on numerous projects in industry, government, and academia, is a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Nebraska Press; Illustrated edition (1 Jun. 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0803237758
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0803237759
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 3.18 x 22.86 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 131 ratings

About the author

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Ozzie Zehner

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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Top reviews from Germany

  • Elvis
    4.0 out of 5 stars THE book about green energy
    Reviewed in Germany on 24 August 2019
    Verified 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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  • knödel
    4.0 out of 5 stars Could have been better
    Reviewed in Germany on 5 May 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The first part about the different "alternative" energies and their dirty secrets was very interesting and had a quite a few informations and thoughts unknown to me and others surely also. Still this part could have been broader and more in depth, for example the production methods of the minerals involved in the batteries for e-cars or the turbines of the wind turbines would have been interesting.

    The part about the future of enviromentalism was disappointing. Not because he didn't offer ideas, but because these ideas were again too "mainstream" or based on assumptions that doesn't take the whole horrible situation we are in into full account.
    I live in Germany and the author somehow thinks that Europe and Germany are the paradise of enviromentalism and new ways in coping with our problems.
    Nothing could be further from the truth. Germany (Europe) may have a great PR campaign machine to convince the rest of the world how "green " they are but that's just show.
    For example he takes the Ökosteuer as a positive tool for change.
    Strangely in the first part he is against handouts to solar companies or other "clean" energy firms.
    But the Ökosteuer is just that, a way to hand out money from the general public to support the very ideas and actions he criticizes in the first part.

    I would give 3 and a half points but just because the first part contained some very nice stuff. First part is worth to be read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kerry Kaminski
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great message in a time of a foolish rush to windmills, solar panels and EV's!
    Reviewed in Canada on 12 April 2017
    Verified 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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  • Bozone
    5.0 out of 5 stars Balanced
    Reviewed in Australia on 25 January 2021
    Verified 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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  • Jocelyn Mercado
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is a life-changing book!
    Reviewed in the United States on 23 June 2014
    Verified 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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  • Green River
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everyday illusions clearly debunked
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 May 2014
    Verified 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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  • solariane
    4.0 out of 5 stars à lire mais répétitif
    Reviewed in France on 17 April 2014
    Verified 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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