32 pages • 1 hour read
Elizabeth KolbertField Notes from a Catastrophe
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Field Notes from a Catastrophe, Elizabeth Kolbert explores the urgent and multifaceted impacts of climate change, beginning with observations in Greenland and the Alaskan island of Shishmaref and tracing historical and contemporary scientific research. She examines global climate models, the political resistance to addressing emissions, and the consequences for biodiversity and human societies. Kolbert concludes that human activities have ushered in the Anthropocene epoch, significantly disrupting the earth's natural climate balance. The book contains discussions of environmental displacement and mentions large-scale famines.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Elizabeth Kolbert's Field Notes from a Catastrophe extensively discusses climate change, combining scientific insights with compelling narratives. Critics praise its accessible yet informative approach, though some find the tone overly pessimistic. The book effectively raises awareness, but its dire projections might overwhelm some readers.
Who Should Read Field Notes from a Catastrophe?
Readers who appreciate Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert are environmentally conscious individuals drawn to narratives blending scientific research with compelling storytelling. Fans of The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert or Silent Spring by Rachel Carson will find this book intriguing and insightful.