In the United States, the issue of climate change continues to become overly politicized while elected representatives fail to take significant action, fearing for backlash of skeptics and widespread upheaval. With politicians ignoring the issue, two philosophers decided to take the conversation into their own hands in The Seasons Alter: How to Save the Planet in Six Acts. Authors Philip Kitcher and Evelyn Fox Keller address six climate change related questions in six philosophical dialogues, or chapters. They tell the complex story of climate change with all of its unknown consequences, but in a manner easily digestible for someone with zero prior knowledge on climate issues.
All but one of the dialogues involves two characters: Jo (female) and Joe (male). While taking on different ages, situations and occupations, Jo remains the voice for climate action and Joe continues to resist. The preface states sharing a name simply means sharing a point of view—but doesn’t explain why the hell they felt it necessary to confuse readers by making both viewpoints Jo/Joes.
With a prologue taking place in a dystopian society in 2159 and a “Climate Day Address” commemorating billions of lives lost to climate change over the previous century, I had to wonder whether I was beginning a science-fiction novel or an informative book about climate change.
The scripted reading was far too peaceful to become absorbed in as a reader. The authors failed to write in any interesting conflict or resolution, therefore completely failing to grab my attention. While the content itself is wonderful—full of insightful data, relatable stories and hard-hitting realities—the book is really rather boring. I can’t help but think these stories would be much better suited in the form of a play. Given the title of the book, you’d think the authors would’ve considered that themselves.
The book aims to stimulate discussion of climate issues in everyday places like churches, workplaces and living rooms, insinuating the target audience is the everyday American. As this everyday American, I followed the first three chapters quite well, not wanting to put it down. These explored basic concepts like what sources of information to trust, cost-benefit analysis of why climate action is so important and caring about the future, even if it may be distant.
The latter half of the book focused on issues like gross domestic product, global economy and how religion ties into everything—things far out of reach of the majority of us. I’m no economic expert (obviously, or I wouldn’t be writing book reviews), but this chapter made zero sense to me. I would’ve skipped ahead entirely had it not been for me writing this review. Turns out I gained nothing but confusion as I read about the call for a global democracy.
While parts of this book certainly dragged on, I would still recommend it to those with a sincere interest in the climate conversation. Be prepared, as the philosophical authors often delve into stories of the future taking place in dystopian societies. Perhaps these professors of philosophy should stick to just that leave writing books for well… creative writers.
The Seasons Alter lacks engagement, ironically, as increasing engagement in climate conversations was the whole aim of the book. Published in 2017, this book comes at a time when climate conversations certainly need to take place. Unfortunately, Kitcher and Keller missed the mark with The Seasons Alter, focusing too much on large-scale changes that need made, rather than those your average Joe (I couldn’t resist) is capable of producing.