Hot Flat and Crowded

Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why the world needs a green revolution – and how we can renew our global future by Thomas L Friedman, 2008, Allen Lane.

Thomas L. Friedman’s “Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why the World Needs a Green Revolution – And How We Can Renew Our Global Future” is presented as an insightful and compelling analysis of the critical challenges facing our planet in an era defined by increasing global interconnectedness, environmental pressures, and population growth. This edition, referred to as Release 2.0, is an updated and expanded version of the original 2008 publication. Friedman, a three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign affairs columnist for The New York Times and author of several international bestsellers including The World Is Flat , brings his characteristic engaging style to a discussion about the urgent need for a global green revolution.

Friedman views his books as “works in progress” and this updated edition reflects his engagement with readers’ feedback and, crucially, the unfolding global financial crisis that emerged shortly after the initial publication. He argues that the crisis in the financial marketplace and the crisis in our natural world are “actually rooted in the same kind of flawed accounting and thinking about risk”. This revised edition aims to explain how and why “the Market and Mother Nature hit a wall at the same time” .

The book posits that we are entering the “Energy-Climate Era,” intensified by a world that is “hot, flat, and crowded“. Friedman identifies five key problems that are dramatically intensifying: the growing demand for scarce energy supplies and natural resources; a massive transfer of wealth to oil-rich countries; disruptive climate change; energy poverty; and rapidly accelerating biodiversity loss . He contends that managing these interconnected issues will define this new era and require “new tools, new infrastructure, new ways of thinking, and new ways of collaborating”.

Friedman aims to reclaim “greenness” from being a marginalised issue and establish it as a “realistic and economically literate position“. He argues that addressing these environmental and energy challenges is not just a necessity but also a “greatest economic opportunity” for America and the world. The book is structured to first examine the impact of our behaviour on the planet and then to explore how this crisis can be used to “reinvigorate and retool America,” whose leadership is seen as vital.

The author’s approach involves weaving together anecdotes and examples from around the world. For instance, he discusses his visit to a green Walmart store in Texas to illustrate American energy consumption, and his observations in China and India highlight the rapid growth and its impact on resources. He also delves into the political implications of oil wealth, suggesting a correlation between oil prices and the pace of freedom in oil-producing states. Furthermore, the book addresses the issue of climate change, acknowledging the scientific consensus while also noting the political debates surrounding it.

A significant theme in the latter part of the book is biodiversity loss, framed as the “Age of Noah,” requiring the creation of “arks, not floods“. Friedman recounts his experiences with Conservation International, highlighting the threats to ecosystems and species, such as the extinction of the baiji, or Yangtze River dolphin. He argues that preserving biodiversity is as critical as tackling climate change for sustaining life on the planet. The concept of “a million Noahs, a million arks” underscores the need for local, grassroots efforts in conservation.

The book also examines “energy poverty” and its impact on development, using examples from India. It then transitions to discussing potential solutions, advocating for a “Clean Energy System” and an “Energy Internet“. Friedman emphasises the role of government policy in driving this transition, suggesting the need to internalise the true costs of pollution. He also explores the concept of “outgreening” as a strategy for competitive advantage.

Friedman concludes by stressing that the decisions America makes about sustainable development are not just technical or environmental matters, but fundamental choices about national identity, values, and the kind of world we want to live in and be remembered for. He expresses hope that this book can contribute to making a real green revolution, spearheaded by America, move “from inconceivable to being inevitable“.

Overall, “Hot, Flat, and Crowded” offers a broad and accessible exploration of the interconnected challenges of energy, climate, and development, urging for a comprehensive and economically sound green revolution. The updated edition reinforces the urgency of these issues in the context of global economic instability, making it a relevant read for anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics shaping our future. The book’s strength lies in Friedman’s ability to synthesise complex information and present it in an engaging manner, supported by real-world examples and a clear call to action.