We Are The Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast

by Jonathan Safran Foer
We Are The Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Investigative Journalism
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  • ID: 4484
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780735233089
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2019-09-17
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In 'We Are the Weather,' Jonathan Safran Foer re-evaluates his relationship with food and the environment, presenting a compelling case for reducing meat consumption to combat climate change. Unlike typical environmental books, Foer's approach is accessible and immediate, emphasizing practical changes individuals can make right away. Foer argues that a significant portion of global carbon emissions stems from meat production. He proposes that even small reductions in meat consumption, such as cutting out meat for one meal a day, can have a substantial positive impact on the planet. With his distinctive wit and humanity, Foer frames this critical issue in a way that is both engaging and urgent.

Reviews
The Nation · Kate Aronoff · 2019-10-29
moral 3.50

The book is a moral call to action that can feel overwhelming due to its intensity. It's a powerful read that challenges readers to confront their own complicity in the climate crisis.

Kate Aronoff finds that Foer's book is a deeply personal and moral call to action on climate change. She appreciates the book's urgency and the way it challenges readers to confront their own habits and their role in the broader crisis. However, Aronoff notes that the book's intensity can sometimes feel overwhelming, and she questions whether its moralizing approach will resonate with a broader audience. Overall, she believes the book is a significant contribution to the climate conversation, even if it's not an easy read.

Quick quotes

    Foer's moralizing is illustrative of a broader self-flagellating despair among many.

    The book's intensity can feel overwhelming at times.

    It's a significant contribution to the climate conversation.

The New York Times · Jennifer Szalai · 2019-10-14
thought-provoking 4.00

The book is a mix of despair and hope, offering a collection of essays that grapple with the climate crisis. It's a thought-provoking read that leaves readers with a sense of both urgency and possibility.

Jennifer Szalai finds that Foer's book is a poignant exploration of the climate crisis, filled with moments of both despair and hope. She appreciates the book's ability to make abstract issues feel personal and immediate, though she notes that the collection of essays can sometimes feel disjointed. Overall, Szalai believes the book is a valuable contribution to the conversation about climate change, offering readers a chance to reflect on their own role in the crisis and the potential for positive change.

Quick quotes

    Foer's essays are both despairing and hopeful, a mix that makes the book feel urgent and necessary.

    The book's personal touch makes abstract issues feel immediate and pressing.

    It's a valuable contribution to the conversation about climate change.

The Guardian · Tim Adams · 2019-10-06
urgent 4.50

The book is a powerful call to action on climate change, blending personal anecdotes with urgent scientific facts. It challenges readers to reconsider their daily choices and their impact on the planet.

Tim Adams highlights how the book effectively combines personal narrative with hard-hitting scientific data to make a compelling case for immediate action on climate change. He appreciates Foer's ability to make complex issues accessible and relatable, urging readers to reflect on their own habits and their role in the broader environmental crisis. However, Adams notes that the book's emotional intensity might be overwhelming for some, but it's a necessary wake-up call for anyone concerned about the future of our planet.

Quick quotes

    This is a book that will change how you think about your breakfast.

    Foer's blend of personal and political is both compelling and urgent.

    The book's emotional intensity is a necessary wake-up call.

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