William T. Vollmann | Carbon Ideologies

National Book Award winner William T. Vollmann introduces “Carbon Ideologies,” his new two-volume exploration of the causes and consequences global warming. Buy a copy of “No Immediate Danger: Volume One of Carbon Ideologies” here: https://www.strandbooks.com/index.cfm...

Over the years William T. Vollmann has earned critical acclaim by tackling some of the largest and thorniest issues of our times, including poverty, violence, and American imperialism. In “Carbon Ideologies,” Vollmann turns to one of the greatest crises we have ever faced: global warming.

“No Immediate Danger,” volume one of the series, examines the technological and cultural forces that created climate change--manufacturing, agriculture, fossil fuel extraction and the global demand for electric power--leading to a detailed case study of the brutal 2011 tsunami and nuclear reactor meltdowns in Fukushima, Japan. For seven years, at great personal risk, Vollmann traveled to the no-go zones and ghost towns of Fukushima to interview tsunami victims, nuclear evacuees, anti-nuclear organizers and pro-nuclear utility workers. With his signature wit and meticulous, wide-ranging research, “No Immediate Danger” builds a powerful picture of one of the greatest environmental disasters in recent history.

Volume two, “No Good Alternative,” coming in June 2018, focuses on human experiences related to coal mining and natural gas production.

Recorded April 10, 2018