The World at the Tipping Point
Dag O. Hessen
70 000 years ago, there existed a species, comprised of scattered populations of a few hundred individuals each, who generally lived peaceful lives in a corner of Africa. Today, that species consists of 9 billion individuals, and it has begun to fundamentally alter the planet. The species in question is us.
What we are doing to the earth, can be registered on a geological timeline showing hundreds of thousands of years. So extensive are the emissions of climate gases and the reduction in biodiversity that we caused, during only a brief moment in the long history of the earth.
Dag O. Hessen, professor of biology at the University of Oslo, is not one for mincing his words. science, not fearmongering, he explains the contemporary state of nature and climate – and how badly things may turn out. The great risk factor is the different feedback loop mechanisms that will intensify the changes.
Simultaneously, human culture is constantly changing. Perhaps are we, too, standing at the tipping point? Will we be able to turn this development in time, to avert the worst possible scenarios? This book is a powerful appeal for the need to do more – and to do it quicker.NOMINATED TO THE NORDIC COUNCIL´S ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE 2020WINNER OF THE 2020 BRAGE PRIZE FOR BEST NON-FICTION!The Brage Prize Jury said: The winner has written several non-fiction publications and is an extremely skilled communicator with the ability both to inform and to entertain. The language flows as easily in presentations of weightier, theoretical topics as it does in lighter anecdotes, comparisons and examples.
The book achieves its broad appeal through a successful juxtaposition of different points of view. It collates and makes accessible a complex topic, while still accounting for nuances in the polarised political debate. Everything is rooted in science and a respect for people with different opinions. The book is thought-provoking and highly relevant, and written with an expressed wish to engage its readers and inspire them to take action. The winner of this year’s Brage Prize in the Non-fiction category is Dag O. Hessen for The World at a Tipping Point.
Reviews:
Scientific scream about the climate – *****Knowledgeable, nuanced and discursive about the climate crisis.DAGBLADET
Anything but hysterical about the climate change – *****Because Hessen is so thorough and factual in his argumentation, the book should be read aloud to all the members of those Facebook groups that think that climate change is a hoax. The seriousness in the text is far from hysteria. This is calm, but insistent, public education.STAVANGER AFTENBLAD
Give us more books and professors like this! For those looking for a knowledgeable and engaged rendition of the most flammable political and existentially complex problem of our time, The World at the Tipping Point is highly recommended.NRK
Straight forward and knowledgeable, engaged and terrifying about the tipping points of the climate and diversity. Dag O. Hessen is a sober optimist and believes in the survival of humanity. But even a sober and scientific description of the situation may bring chills down the spine of a reader taking in the facts.AFTENPOSTEN
Apart from other publications on the topic in later years, Dag O. Hessen comes across as resolute and calm in his enduring and scientific fight against the direction fossil based politics are taking us. And time is running out.KLASSEKAMPEN
Factual and well founded about the challenges with climate change.VÅRT LAND
The World at the Tipping Point is important, wise and engaging. This is a book that everyone needs to read!"Maja Lunde - Bestselling author of A History of Bees.
