Synopses & Reviews
It is now abundantly clear that we have at our fingertips all of the tools we need to solve the climate crisis. The only missing ingredient is collective will.
Properly understood, the climate crisis is an unparalleled opportunity to finally and effectively address many persistent causes of suffering and misery that have long been neglected, and to transform the prospects of future generations, giving them a chance to live healthier, more prosperous lives as they continue their pursuit of happiness.
Our Choice gathers in one place all of the most effective solutions that are available now and that, together, will solve this crisis. It is meant to depoliticize the issue as much as possible and inspire readers to take actionnot only on an individual basis but as participants in the political processes by which every country, and the world as a whole, makes the choice that now confronts us.
There is an old African proverb that says, "If you want to go quickly, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."
We have to go far, quickly.
We can solve the climate crisis. It will be hard, to be sure, but if we can make the choice to solve it, I have no doubt whatsoever that we can and will succeed.
AL GORE, from the introduction
Al Gore is the cofounder and chairman of Current TV, an Emmy Award-winning, independently owned cable and satellite television news and information network for young people based on viewer-created content, citizen journalism, and investigative reporting. He is also cofounder and chairman of Generation Investment Management, a firm focused on a new approach to sustainable investing. Gore is a partner with the venture capial firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a member of the Board of Directors of Apple, and a senior advisor to Google. He is a visiting professor at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and chairs a nonprofit organization designed to help solve the climate crisis-the Alliance for Climate Protection-to which he is donating 100 percent of his earnings from this book. Gore was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976 and then to the U.S. Senate in 1984 and 1990. He was inaugurated as the 45th vice president of the United States on January 20, 1993, and served for eight years. He is the author of the bestsellers Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit, An Inconvenient Truth, and The Assault on Reason and was featured in an Academy Award-winning documentary. He was a corecipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Al Gore lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis is an inspiring call to action for those ready to fight for solutions that really workincluding some bold initiatives that were deemed impossible only a short time ago but are now gaining support around the world. Since the publication of The New York Times bestseller An Inconvenient Truth, Mr. Gore has led more than thirty "Solutions Summits" with top scientists, engineers, and policy experts to examine every solution to the climate crisis in depth and detail. Our Choice draws on conclusions developed through those summits as well as on extensive independent research, describing how the bold choices necessary to save the earths climate should also be the foundations of policies worldwide to create new jobs and stimulate sustainable economic progress.
From Al Gore's Introduction
"It is now abundantly clear that we have at our fingertips all of the tools we need to solve the climate crisis. The only missing ingredient is collective will.
Properly understood, the climate crisis is an unparalleled opportunity to finally and effectively address many persistent causes of suffering and misery that have long been neglected, and to transform the prospects of future generations, giving them a chance to live healthier, more prosperous lives as they continue their pursuit of happiness.
Our Choice gathers in one place all of the most effective solutions that are available now and that, together, will solve this crisis. It is meant to depoliticize the issue as much as possible and inspire readers to take actionnot only on an individual basis but as participants in the political processes by which every country, and the world as a whole, makes the choice that now confronts us.
There is an old African proverb that says, "If you want to go quickly, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."
We have to go far, quickly.
We can solve the climate crisis. It will be hard, to be sure, but if we can make the choice to solve it, I have no doubt whatsoever that we can and will succeed."
As they did with An Inconvenient Truth, former Vice President Gore and Mrs. Tipper Gore will donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the book to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group dedicated to spreading awareness about the climate crisis and how to solve it. Our Choice features 100 percent recycled paper, locally produced and sourced editions, low VOC inks, and is carbon neutral. "Its the grand compendium of all that we know about how to undertake this most difficult of transitions. Gores new volume is the indispensable one-stop shop for the cutting edge thinking about how were going to solve this problem."Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature "In a new book that marks an evolution in his thinking, Al Gore recognizes that the debate over climate change can be more about doing well while doing good."John Meachan, Newsweek
"Authoritative, exhaustive, reasoned, erudite."Sharon Begley, Newsweek The clarity of his argument and the fissile power of his analysis combine to elevate Our Choice into the top-ranking environmental books of our time."Financial Times "There is no greater champion of the climate imperative than Al Gore. [He] distills his mastery of the topic into clean, readable prose, and illustrates it with gorgeous glossy photos and accessiblend eye-openingcharts. After you read Gore's book, you will see why the choice must be made right now."Huffington Post
"Ken-Burns-meets-global-warming, with vivid diagrams of how technologies work and lavish color photos."Philadelphia Inquirer
"Besides being informative, Our Choice is a truly beautiful book page after page, and I highly recommend it, particularly for those who want a broad overview of the key strategies for preserving a livable climate. This [is] a must-read book for those who want a primer on all the key solutions countries will be considering at Copenhagen."Dr. Joseph Romm, Climateprogress.com
"Its the grand compendium of all that we know about how to undertake this most difficult of transitions. Gores new volume is the indispensable one-stop shop for the cutting edge thinking about how were going to solve this problem."Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature
"No one is more qualified than Gore to lead the collective movement beyond fossil fuels, given his command of the science and politics involved, his invaluable global connections and resources, and his sensitivity to our reluctance to face the magnitude and gravity of the climate crisis. As he did in An Inconvenient Truth, Gore matches clear and ringing explanations and commentary with superb supporting diagrams and illustrations and striking photographs from around the world, documenting the dramatic impacts of human industry and climate change . . . Our Choice is an inviting and momentous compendium of environmental discovery (with 100 percent of its earnings going to the Alliance for Climate Protection) that addresses one of the greatest threats our species has encountered with intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, and faith in human empowerment. This is a book that should be displayed and talked about everywhere.”Booklist
Review
"In a new book that marks an evolution in his thinking, Al Gore recognizes that the debate over climate change can be more about doing well while doing good."
John Meachan, Newsweek
"Authoritative, exhaustive, reasoned, erudite."
Sharon Begley, Newsweek “The clarity of his argument and the fissile power of his analysis combine to elevate Our Choice into the top-ranking environmental books of our time."
Financial Times "There is no greater champion of the climate imperative than Al Gore. [He] distills his mastery of the topic into clean, readable prose, and illustrates it with gorgeous glossy photos and accessible -- and eye-opening -- charts. After you read Gore's book, you will see why the choice must be made right now."
Huffington Post
"Ken-Burns-meets-global-warming, with vivid diagrams of how technologies work and lavish color photos."
Philadelphia Inquirer
"Besides being informative, Our Choice is a truly beautiful book page after page, and I highly recommend it, particularly for those who want a broad overview of the key strategies for preserving a livable climate. This [is] a must-read book for those who want a primer on all the key solutions countries will be considering at Copenhagen."
Dr. Joseph Romm, Climateprogress.com
"Its the grand compendium of all that we know about how to undertake this most difficult of transitions. Gores new volume is the indispensable one-stop shop for the cutting edge thinking about how were going to solve this problem."
Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature “No one is more qualified than Gore to lead the collective movement beyond fossil fuels, given his command of the science and politics involved, his invaluable global connections and resources, and his sensitivity to our reluctance to face the ‘magnitude and gravity of the climate crisis. As he did in An Inconvenient Truth (2006), Gore matches clear and ringing explanations and commentary with superb supporting diagrams and illustrations and striking photographs from around the world, documenting the dramatic impacts of human industry and climate change… Our Choice is an inviting and momentous compendium of environmental discovery (with 100 percent of its earnings going to the Alliance for Climate Protection) that addresses one of the greatest threats our species has encountered with intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, and faith in human empowerment. This is a book that should be displayed and talked about everywhere.”
Booklist
Janet Maslin - Harlan Coben, author of No Second Chance - Andrew Klavan, author of True Crimes - Robert B. Parker, author of Back Story - Nelson DeMille, author of Up Country - Lisa Scottoline, author of Dead Ringer - Daniel Silva, author of The Confessor - Ronnie H. Terpening, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson - Kirkus - Martin Arnold - Page Traynor - Brian Lehrer, host of On the Media, National Public Radio - James McBride, author of The Color of Water and Miracle at St. Anna - Kevin J. Anderson - Dorothy Allison - Philip Lopate - Clive Cussler - Jon Winokur - Tony Hillerman - Jonathan Kellerman - W.E.B. Griffin, author of Final Justice - James Carville - Jacqueline Carey - Douglas Brinkley - David Gibson - Anthony Minghella - Fay Weldon - Anthony Minghella, director of The English Patient and Cold Mountain - Antonya Nelson - Jean Thompson - Charles Stross - Spider Robinson - Neal Asher - Karl Schroeder - Elizabeth Bear - Ulick O'Connor - Michael Billington - Michael Coveney - Sir Ian McKellen - Russ Parsons - Philip Pullman - Sara Douglass - Bill Bryson - Barbara Ehrenreich - Kirkus - John Blades - Ellen Kanner - Gilbert Taylor - Jane Brody's "Personal Health" column in The New York Times - Daniel Mallory - Jim Harrison, author of True North - Michael Ondaatje - Karen Karbo - Kristine Huntley - Susan Orlean - John Banville - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Neil Walsh - Stephen R. Donaldson - Jacqueline Carey - Glen Cook - Elizabeth Haydon - David Drake - Robert Charles Wilson - Cory Doctorow - Bret Easton Ellis - Candace Bushnell - Dominick Dunne - Jay McInerney - Jonathan Demme, filmmaker - A.O. Scott - Martin Arnold - Steve Kroft, 60 Minutes - J. B. Priestley - Charles de Lint - Dallas Observer - Jennifer Weiner, author of In Her Shoes and Little Earthquakes - Jay Leno - Laura Zigman, author of Animal Husbandry, Dating Big Bird, and Her - Liz Smith - Gillian Engberg - Clarissa Cruz - Jay Strafford - Hallie Ephron - Patrick Anderson - Walter Jon Williams - S. M. Stirling - Connie Willis, Hugo Award-winning author of To Say Nothing of the Dog - Morgan Llywelyn - Jacqueline Carey - George R.R. Martin - Frederick Busch - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Paul Di Filippo - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews - Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - SciFi.com - Entertainment Weekly - Kirkus - New Scientist - Newsday - Publishers Weekly - Realms of Fantasy - San Francisco Chronicle - The Sunday Times - The Washington Post - Time Out London - Wired - Los Angeles Times - Vanity Fair - New York Times Book Review - Rocky Mountain News - Library Journal - Publishers Weekly - Southern Living - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Romantic Times - Midwest Book Review - Cincinnati Enquirer - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - Romantic Times Bookclub - The New York Times - The Washington Times - Los Angeles Times - West Coast Review of Books - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - Booklist - Chicago Sun-Times - Rocky Mountain News - Chicago Tribune - New York Sun - Publishers Weekly - Fangoria - Horn Book Magazine - School Library Journal - USA Today - Entertainment Weekly - Boston Globe - Richmond Times-Dispatch - Entertainment Weekly - January Magazine - Booklist - Library Journal - Library Journal Review - New York Post - About.com - New York Observer - The New York Times Book Review - Publishers Weekly - The Knoxville News-Sentinel - The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction - Midwest Book Review - Santa Barbara News-Press - Newsweek - Library Journal - Greenwich Magazine - Time Out New York - New York Times Book Review - San Francisco Chronicle - Booklist (starred review) - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly (starred) - Washington Post Book World - Publishers Weekly, starred review - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - School Library Journal - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - Altair - TV Week (Australia) - Publishers Weekly (starred review) - SF Site - New York Observer - The Economist - Publishers Weekly - Enigma - SF Site - Entertainment Weekly - Kirkus - New Scientist - Newsday - Publishers Weekly - Realms of Fantasy - San Francisco Chronicle - The Sunday Times - The Washington Post - Time Out London - Wired - Romantic Times - San Francisco Chronicle - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - The Associated Press - San Antonio Express-News - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Library Journal - Booklist - The Guardian - The Observer - Financial Times - New York Observer - Houston Chronicle - Art Week - Christian Science Monitor - Charlotte Observer - Edmonton Journal - Richmond Times-Dispatch - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - Time Out New York - Library Journal - Cincinnati CityBeat - Globe and Mail - Quill and Quire - Vancouver Sun - New York Times Magazine - The Washington Post - Library Journal - Booklist - Dallas Morning News - Newsweek - The Washington Post Book World - The Los Angeles Times Book Review - Booklist - Stephen Coonts - W.E.B. Griffin - Thomas Fleming - Walter J. Boyne - Pages Magazine - Chronicle - Publishers Weekly - Southern Living - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Romantic Times - Midwest Book Review - Chicago Tribune - Kirkus, starred review - Library Journal - Kirkus - Publishers Weekly - Mystery News - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - People - Entertainment Weekly - The Boston Globe - The Columbus Dispatch - The Roanoke Times - Bookstreet USA - Sullivan County Democrat - Kirkus Reviews - Library Journal - New York Daily News - Publishers Weekly - The Dallas Morning News - The Guardian [UK - ] - The New York Times - The Times [UK - ] - Washington Post - St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Parade - Publishers Weekly - Minneapolis Star-Tribune - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - Chicago Sun-Times - Washington Post Book World - San Francisco Chronicle - Newsday - Buffalo News - Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Library Journal - Los Angeles Times - Library Journal - Booklist - The New York Times Book Review - Kirkus Reviews - Bulletin of Center for Children's Books - School Library Journal - The Financial Times (London) - The Guardian (London) - The Sunday Independent (London) - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Time Out - Mail on Sunday - People - Kirkus Reviews - Elle - Time Out New York - Miami Herald - New York Post - David Gibson - Douglas Brinkley - People (four stars) - Baltimore Sun - New Yorker - Seattle Times - Library Journal - Booklist - The Chattanooga Free Press - Kirkus Reviews - The Calgary Herald - Publishers Weekly - Altair - TV Week (Australia) - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Tribune Book World - Houston Chronicle - Los Angeles Times - Publishers Weekly - San Francisco Chronicle - The Atlantic Monthly - The New York Times - The New York Times Book Review - The New York Times Book Review - The Washington Post - Time - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - Publishers Weekly (starred review) - Library Journal (starred review) - The Dark Spiral - Washington Post Book World - The New York Times - Philadelphia Inquirer - Newsweek - Publishers Weekly - Independent (UK) - Spectator (UK) - Times Literary Supplement (UK) - Booklist (starred review) - Indianapolis Star - Kirkus Reviews - New York Times - New York Times Book Review - Vogue - San Francisco Chronicle - Village Voice - The Dallas Morning News - El Paso Herald-Post - Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear, USA Today bestselling authors - Kirkus Reviews - Library Journal - Max Evans - Norman Zollinger - Publishers Weekly - Richard Wheeler - Rocky Mountain News - Tony Hillerman - Tulsa World - The New York Times - Analog - Library Journal - Publishers Weekly - Essence - CNN Money - Chicago Tribune - Philadelphia Inquirer - The Orlando Sentinel - Booklist - Romantic Times - Library Journal - O magazine - Washington Post - Publishers Weekly - The Australian Woman's Weekly - Romantic Times BOOKreviews - Library Journal - Boston Globe - Entertainment Weekly - USA Today - Washington Post - Elle - Esquire - Details - Yoga Journal - Publishers Weekly - Library Journal - VOYA - Time Out New York - Interzone - Library Journal - SF Site - Booklist, starred review - Publishers Weekly, starred review - San Francisco Chronicle - School Library Journal, starred review - Publishers Weekly (starred review) - SF Site - Kirkus - Library Journal - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) - The New York Times - Entertainment Weekly (A-) - USA Today - People Magazine - New Orleans Times-Picayune
Review
"In a new book that marks an evolution in his thinking, Al Gore recognizes that the debate over climate change can be more about doing well while doing good."
—John Meachan, Newsweek
"Authoritative, exhaustive, reasoned, erudite."
—Sharon Begley, Newsweek “The clarity of his argument and the fissile power of his analysis combine to elevate Our Choice into the top-ranking environmental books of our time."
—Financial Times "There is no greater champion of the climate imperative than Al Gore. [He] distills his mastery of the topic into clean, readable prose, and illustrates it with gorgeous glossy photos and accessible -- and eye-opening -- charts. After you read Gore's book, you will see why the choice must be made right now."
—Huffington Post
"Ken-Burns-meets-global-warming, with vivid diagrams of how technologies work and lavish color photos."
—Philadelphia Inquirer
"Besides being informative, Our Choice is a truly beautiful book page after page, and I highly recommend it, particularly for those who want a broad overview of the key strategies for preserving a livable climate. This [is] a must-read book for those who want a primer on all the key solutions countries will be considering at Copenhagen."
—Dr. Joseph Romm, Climateprogress.com
"Its the grand compendium of all that we know about how to undertake this most difficult of transitions. Gores new volume is the indispensable one-stop shop for the cutting edge thinking about how were going to solve this problem."
—Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature “No one is more qualified than Gore to lead the collective movement beyond fossil fuels, given his command of the science and politics involved, his invaluable global connections and resources, and his sensitivity to our reluctance to face the ‘magnitude and gravity of the climate crisis. As he did in An Inconvenient Truth (2006), Gore matches clear and ringing explanations and commentary with superb supporting diagrams and illustrations and striking photographs from around the world, documenting the dramatic impacts of human industry and climate change… Our Choice is an inviting and momentous compendium of environmental discovery (with 100 percent of its earnings going to the Alliance for Climate Protection) that addresses one of the greatest threats our species has encountered with intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, and faith in human empowerment. This is a book that should be displayed and talked about everywhere.”
—Booklist
Synopsis
Our Choice is an inspiring call to action for those ready to fight for solutions that really work — including some bold initiatives that were deemed impossible only a short time ago but are now gaining support around the world.
Since the publication of the New York Times bestseller An Inconvenient Truth and the release of the Academy Award-winning film of the same title, Mr. Gore has led more than 30 Solutions Summits with top scientists, engineers, and policy experts to examine every solution to the climate crisis in depth and detail.
Our Choice draws on conclusions developed through those summits as well as on extensive independent research, describing how the bold choices necessary to save the earth's climate should also be the foundations of policies worldwide to create new jobs and stimulate sustainable economic progress. As they did with An Inconvenient Truth, former Vice President Gore and Mrs. Tipper Gore will donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the book to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group dedicated to spreading awareness about the climate crisis and how to solve it.
Our Choice features 100 percent recycled paper, locally produced and sourced editions, low VOC inks, and is carbon neutral.
About the Author
Al Gore is the cofounder and chairman of Current TV, an Emmy Award-winning, independently owned cable and satellite television news and information network for young people based on viewer-created content, citizen journalism, and investigative reporting. He is also cofounder and chairman of Generation Investment Management, a firm focused on a new approach to sustainable investing. Gore is a partner with the venture capial firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a member of the Board of Directors of Apple, and a senior advisor to Google. He is a visiting professor at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and chairs a nonprofit organization designed to help solve the climate crisis-the Alliance for Climate Protection-to which he is donating 100 percent of his earnings from this book. Gore was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976 and then to the U.S. Senate in 1984 and 1990. He was inaugurated as the 45th vice president of the United States on January 20, 1993, and served for eight years. He is the author of the bestsellers Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit, An Inconvenient Truth, and The Assault on Reason and was featured in an Academy Award-winning documentary. He was a corecipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Al Gore lives in Nashville, Tennessee. He and his wife, Tipper, have four children and three grandchildren.