(for Focus the Nation January 31 2008)
For classes in
1. Thoreau lays out the argument against the consumerism and materialism of modern industrial society that has led to human-caused Climate Change. In Chapter 1 of Walden, entitled "Economy," he offers some alternatives that might contribute to Global Warming Solutions. It can be accessed here, in five sections. An abridged version, one quarter of the original length, can be accessed here.
2. Bill McKibben (http://www.billmckibben.com/index.html) is a literary essayist, outdoorsman-athlete, journalist, teacher activist and prophet. His 1989 book The End of Nature, was an early herald of the dangers of global warming. The introduction to his edition (Beacon Press, 1997, 2004) treats ThoreauÕs Walden as a guide to Global Warming Solutions of a personal and spiritual nature. These are some excerpts.
3. "Walden Warming" by T. Edward Nickens in National Wildlife Magazine, October/November 2007 traces evidence of the consequences of human-caused climate change on Walden Pond since Thoreau lived there one hundred fifty years ago. Following in ThoreauÕs footsteps, Massachusetts researchers are creating the most complete picture yet of global warmingÕs impact on the biology of a U.S. region
Steven Marx
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo