Books
Writing on our climate, energy and food futures
Two books: a trade book on where the climate crisis is taking us — and how we might steer toward a liveable future — and the first interdisciplinary textbook on food sustainability.
The Best of Times, The Worst of Times
Futures from the Frontiers of Climate Science
A tour of humanity’s current trajectory and possible futures, told in paired chapters of pessimism and hope across the economy, energy, land and food. It lays out just how much there is to do to reach a hopeful future — and how getting there means actively building a healthier, happier and more fulfilling world. This updated edition adds new sections on COVID-19 and COP26.
Buy the book
Praise for The Best of Times, The Worst 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Behrens is the friend that gives it to you straight: unflinching on the bad stuff, but he won’t crush you with despair. 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.
This is an incredibly important book and I want the whole world to read it.
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.
Food and Sustainability
An interdisciplinary introduction
Edited by Paul Behrens, Thijs Bosker and David Ehrhardt
The first textbook to consistently and coherently bring together important concepts from across 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 the concepts introduced in the main text.
- In-depth boxes cover more complex topics — derivations or specific terminology — without disrupting the flow of the main text.
- A ‘Food controversy’ panel in each chapter encourages readers to view topics from different perspectives.
- A ‘Connect the dots’ feature draws links between the disciplines discussed across chapters.
Buy the book
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.
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. A more thorough, accessible and engaging account of the myriad dimensions of food sustainability than any other book I have used or recommended.