Book Review: Hot, Flat and Crowded

Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman.
Published by Penguin Books. 438 pages. Hardback price £20.00

In the U.S., conservative politicians and much of the media, aided and abetted by the fossil fuel industries, push the myth that tackling the climate change problem means mass unemployment for Americans,compromised life-styles, and loss of competitiveness on the world's markets.

Pulitzer prize-winning author Friedman attempts to demonstrate that quite the opposite is possible for America. More than that, he considers the pursuit of clean energy to be a strategic and economic imperative for his nation.

This unashamedly flag-waving book is aimed squarely at Americans but is an interesting read for the rest of us too.

Friedman first sets out why the U.S. needs to step away from fossil fuels.

For example, he says the many billions Americans spend on fuel every year indirectly funds al qaeda terrorists and supports countries that suppress free speech.

He also says that clean energy is the next 'big thing': a rapidly growing market, already worth hundreds of billions a year, and the U.S. is uniquely positioned to grab a massive slice of it if only their politicians could see past their prejudices.

Why are the politicians important? Because they can provide the conditions for the USA to propel itself to the forefront of all clean technologies.

He then goes on to reveal how this can be done.

Friedman talks about "price signals" (Basically creating a stable environment where venture capitalists and entrepreneurs can have the confidence to invest in clean energy), legislation to raise energy efficiency standards, paying power companies to help the public reduce their energy usage (rather than increase it), and smart grids amongst other things.

He uses numerous examples of how these ideas work in the real world. Yes, even in the States themselves. It's a real eye-opener and makes you wonder why the U.S. isn't going for it. Oh, wait a minute, it's those politicians.

Friedman describes a political system that is dead-locked, where the only legislation that gets through is "the sum of all lobbies". So this book is as much a rally call to fellow Americans to break this dead-lock, to give his country a new sense of purpose, and save the World into the bargain.

A fascinating read. 8/10.