The Best of Times, The Worst of Times
The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Futures from the Frontiers of Climate Science, (Indigo Press, 2020) describes humanity’s current trajectory and possible futures in paired chapters of pessimism and hope, on topics including the economy, energy, land and food. He outlines just how much is to be done to achieve a hopeful future, but how this scenario would involve actively building a healthier, happier and more fulfilling world.
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Praise for the Best of Times
‘A powerful, up-to-date, and sometimes terrifying primer on the stupendous global problems we face today. By alternating good news and bad news chapters, Paul Behrens gives us a vivid, stereoscopic insight into the wicked challenges we humans face in coming decades.’
Professor David Christian Professor of Russian and European History at Macquarie University and author of Origin Story: A Big History of Everything
‘Behrens provides a wealth of critically important facts, accessibly and insightfully related by presentations alternately slanted to pessimistic and optimistic attitudes – an ideal structure for stimulating thoughtful discussion both in the classroom and public forum.’
Professor Herman Daly, Emeritus Professor at the School of Public Policy, University of Maryland and author of Beyond Growth: The Economics of Sustainable Development
‘If you are looking for a book that guides you through climate change, I found Paul Behrens’ The Best of Times, The Worst of Times really readable and passionate yet also nuanced.’
Henry Mance, Chief Features Writer, Financial Times
‘Scientists have warned that tipping points could drive the Earth System past a fork in the road to two different futures. This book – beautifully written with a powerful format – vividly describes what these futures might look like, and how we might steer society towards a liveable future.’
Professor Will Steffen, Emeritus Professor at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University
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‘An extraordinary distillation of science, policy, and common sense without being tedious or dismal . . . the author’s grasp of the complexity and urgency of our predicament is masterful. Deserves a large global readership.’
Professor David Orr, Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics at Oberlin College Emeritus and author of Dangerous Years: Climate Change, the Long Emergency, and the Way Forward
‘Paul’s book is truly amazing and I think everyone should read it. You’ll learn so much, I promise. It’s like a thought manual for the future. It’s just plain great.’
Julia Steinberger, Professor of Ecological Economics at the University of Lausanne
‘Behrens is the friend that gives it to you straight: unflinching on the bad stuff, but he won’t crush you with despair. This book is an excellent assessment of where we are and how we might proceed, as we navigate the uncharted terrain of the Anthropocene. Rich in complexity, deeply researched and, importantly, seeded with hope.’
Gaia Vince, author of Adventures in the Anthropocene: A Journey to the Heart of the Planet We Made
‘This is an incredibly important book and I want the whole world to read it.’
Dean Bakopoulos, author of Please Don’t Come Back from the Moon
‘The Best of Times, The Worst of Times is written in a style that brings all the data but is clear, concise, and at times poetic. Buy this book for your friends. Make them read it. It will change the way you think about the future and live your life in the present.’
Stuart Vyse, Author of The Uses of Delusion
Check out the book on Oxford University Press and Amazon.
Food and Sustainability
The first text on this topic to consistently and coherently bring together important concepts from different disciplines to introduce students to a common challenge: food sustainability.
- The first text to introduce students to the full range of disciplines underpinning food sustainability.
- Case studies throughout demonstrate the real-life application of concepts being introduced in the main text.
- In-depth boxes introduce more complex topics, such as derivations or specific terminology, without disrupting the flow of the main body of text.
- A ‘Food controversy’ panel in each chapter encourages the reader to view topics under discussion from different perspectives.
- A ‘Connect the dots’ feature actively encourages the reader to make links between the range of disciplines discussed in different chapters.
Praise for Food and Sustainability
‘A well informed and researched text, with an educational focus that will create awareness in the reader of food and agri-business issues. The overview of the subject is much more comprehensive than publications hitherto, in a readable format and appealing style.’
Dr Stephen Chadd, Royal Agricultural University
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‘The most compelling and accessible textbook on the subject to date, which should be mandatory reading on all courses relating to food security and sustainability. This book presents a more thorough, accessible and engaging account of the myriad dimensions of food sustainability than any other book I have used or recommended.’
Dr Andrew Jones, University of Warwick