Losing Earth
 First edition | |
| Author | Nathaniel Rich |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | MCD/Farrar |
| Publication date | April 9, 2019 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 224 |
| ISBN | 978-0-374-19133-7 |
Losing Earth: A Recent History (published as Losing Earth: The Decade We Could Have Stopped Climate Change in the UK and Commonwealth markets) is a 2019 book written by Nathaniel Rich.[1] The book is about the existence of scientific evidence for climate change for decades while it was politically denied, and the eventual damage that will occur as a result.[2][3][4] It focuses on the years 1979 to 1989 and US-based scientists, activists, and policymakers including James Hansen, Rafe Pomerance, and Jule Gregory Charney.[5][6]
The story was first published as the August 5, 2018, issue of The New York Times Magazine and later expanded.[7][5] After the article was published, it was announced that the story was in development to be converted into a docuseries that will be distributed on Apple TV+.[8] A feature length adaptation titled A Statement, co-written and directed by Tom McCarthy for Sony Pictures Classics, will premiere at the 2026 New York Film Festival.[9][10]
Responses
[edit]Initial version of text
[edit]Environmentalists including May Boeve criticized the narrative for promoting climate doom and focusing on a small group that they argue is not representative of the broader climate movement.[11] Leah Stokes and others have questioned Rich's framing of who is to blame for the climate crisis; Rich did not emphasize the culpability of the fossil fuel industry or of politicians.[5][11][12]
Expanded version of text
[edit]In Bookforum, Roy Scranton wrote that "the book is substantially the same as the article" and pointed out its lack of citations.[13] The book received a starred review in Booklist, where it was called "a must-read handbook for everyone concerned about our planet’s future."[14] A review in NPR likened it to "a Greek tragedy."[15] In Nature, Barbara Kiser called it "An eloquent science history, and an urgent eleventh-hour call to save what can be saved."[16]
Losing Earth was published in more than a dozen languages and was named a finalist for the 2020 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award.[17]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Gross, Terry (April 8, 2019). "'Losing Earth' Explores How Oil Industry Played Politics With The Planet's Fate". NPR. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
- ↑ Lanchester, John (April 12, 2019). "Two New Books Dramatically Capture the Climate Change Crisis". The New York Times Book Review. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- ↑ "Losing Earth: A Climate History". Kirkus Reviews. January 13, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- ↑ Frank, Adam (March 25, 2019). "New Climate Books Stress We Are Already Far Down The Road To A Different Earth". National Public Radio. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
- 1 2 3 "A conversation with Nathaniel Rich on "Losing Earth," human inertia and storytelling as "a moral act"". Nieman Foundation. August 11, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ↑ Brand, Yu (April 16, 2019). "Nathaniel Rich's 'Losing Earth' grapples with climate change". Datebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ↑ Rich, Nathaniel (August 1, 2018). "Losing Earth: The Decade We Almost Stopped Climate Change". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (August 21, 2018). "Apple Lands TV Rights To Nathaniel Rich's 'Losing Earth' Climate Change Article For Series Produced By Anonymous Content". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
- ↑ Grobar, Matt (January 16, 2026). "Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Climate Change Conference Movie From Tom McCarthy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ↑ Davis, Clayton (August 11, 2026). "New York Film Festival Unveils Spotlight Slate With Tom McCarthy's 'A Statement,' Jonathan Glazer's 'Joy of Joys' and More". Variety. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
- 1 2 "Readers Respond to the 8.5.18 Issue". The New York Times. August 16, 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ↑ Meyer, Robinson (August 1, 2018). "The Problem With The New York Times' Big Story on Climate Change". The Atlantic. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ↑ "Wonk Quixote". www.bookforum.com. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ↑ Losing Earth: A Recent History, by By Nathaniel Rich. | Booklist Online.
- ↑ Frank, Adam (March 25, 2019). "New Climate Books Stress We Are Already Far Down The Road To A Different Earth". NPR. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ↑ Kiser, Barbara (2019). "The climate revolution that almost was, the science of magic, and sleep disorders examined: Books in brief". Nature. 568 (7750): 31. Bibcode:2019Natur.568...31K. doi:10.1038/d41586-019-01036-6.
- ↑ "Frans de Waal's "Mama's Last Hug" Receives the 2020 PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award - E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation". March 11, 2020.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Nathaniel Rich; George Steinmetz (August 1, 2018). "Losing Earth: The Decade We Almost Stopped Climate Change". The New York Times.
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