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Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don't Know You Have Hardcover – August 27, 2019

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 170 ratings

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*First Place Winner of the Society of Environmental Journalists' Rachel Carson Environment Book Award*

"If you're looking for something to cling to in what often feels like a hopeless conversation, Schlossberg's darkly humorous, knowledge-is-power, eyes-wide-open approach may be just the thing."--Vogue

From a former New York Times science writer, this urgent call to action will empower you to stand up to climate change and environmental pollution by making simple but impactful everyday choices.

With urgency and wit, Tatiana Schlossberg explains that far from being only a distant problem of the natural world created by the fossil fuel industry, climate change is all around us, all the time, lurking everywhere in our convenience-driven society, all without our realizing it.

By examining the unseen and unconscious environmental impacts in four areas-the Internet and technology, food, fashion, and fuel - Schlossberg helps readers better understand why climate change is such a complicated issue, and how it connects all of us: How streaming a movie on Netflix in New York burns coal in Virginia; how eating a hamburger in California might contribute to pollution in the Gulf of Mexico; how buying an inexpensive cashmere sweater in Chicago expands the Mongolian desert; how destroying forests from North Carolina is necessary to generate electricity in England.

Cataloging the complexities and frustrations of our carbon-intensive society with a dry sense of humor, Schlossberg makes the climate crisis and its solutions interesting and relevant to everyone who cares, even a little, about the planet. She empowers readers to think about their stuff and the environment in a new way, helping them make more informed choices when it comes to the future of our world.

Most importantly, this is a book about the power we have as voters and consumers to make sure that the fight against climate change includes all of us and all of our stuff, not just industry groups and politicians. If we have any hope of solving the problem, we all have to do it together.

"A compelling-and illuminating-look at how our daily habits impact the environment."--Vanity Fair

"Shows how even the smallest decisions can have profound environmental consequences."--The New York Times
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Focusing on food, fashion, technology and fuel, she shows how even the smallest decisions can have profound environmental consequences."―New York Times

"A compelling-and illuminating-look at how our daily habits impact the environment...[Schlossberg's] wry, sometimes self-deprecating humor makes the depth of research and information provided throughout the book go down easy."―
VanityFair

"Inconspicuous Consumption is scary informative-in both senses-but also oddly enjoyable, filled with salty jokes and fun (or not so fun) facts...If you're looking for something to cling to in what often feels like a hopeless conversation, Schlossberg's darkly humorous, knowledge-is-power, eyes-wide-open approach may be just the thing."―Vogue

"To solve the climate crisis, it is crucial that we address the
problems in the way our democracy is functioning. In her illuminating book, Inconspicuous Consumption, Tatiana Schlossberg does just that by exploring how individuals, corporations, and governments are all contributing to this crisis, and how we need to work together to help fix it."―
Former Vice President Al Gore

"Entertaining and eye-opening...the sharp, well written book doesn't read like an admonishment; instead it's a call to action that reminds us all of our responsibility and capability to change the world."―
Town & Country

"The author breaks complex issues down to be understandable to the lay reader, while her humor and wit ensure that readers will close the book feeling energized rather than hopeless."―
Booklist (starred review)

"Readers will find solace, humor and a route to feeling empowered with possibilities for positive change, rather than drained by an accumulation of bad news."―
Society of Environmental Journalists' Judges for the Rachel Carson Environment Book Award

"The subject of climate change is inescapable, as it should be, but too few stories focus on one's everyday impact upon the environment. In
Inconspicuous Consumption, former New York Times science writer Tatiana Schlossberg breaks down exactly how everyday activities - watching Netflix, eating a burger, turning on the light - impact the environment."―Bustle

"How many chances do we get each day to make a meaningful difference for Earth? Plenty, says environmental writer Tatiana Schlossberg. Can we eradicate ecodespair? With knowledge, context, and applicable insight, yes, absolutely. Moreover, as thoughtful citizens we can begin to reverse ecodystopia to utopia.
Inconspicuous Consumption is smart, funny, and helpful, and this is everything because our Earth deserves our full attention."―Min Jin Lee, author of Free Food for Millionairesand Pachinko, finalist for the National Book Award

"Schlossberg adeptly guides readers toward understanding the unlikely implications of how the manufacture of everyday acquisitions...exact environmental and human costs. Beyond individual choices, though, Schlossberg's sophisticated understanding of the world's complexity and her conversational style rally readers to vigilance about corporate and governmental oversight in this small world."―
The National Book Review

"An approachable, lighthearted tally of our more pernicious environmental impacts, rich with historical context. For all its aversion to the reductionist notion of an ecofriendly lifestyle in the twenty-first century, this book delivers on actionable data for the ecoconscious consumer and climate activist."―
Kim Cobb, professor, earth and atmospheric sciences,Georgia Institute of Technology

"Schlossberg brings a variety of current conversations on environment together in down-to-earth, easily understood terms. Avoiding dense technical language and writing in a highly personalized style laced with humor and asides, the author provides much-needed clarifications about climate change and pollution that not only empower average consumers with the ability to act and make informed decisions, but also encourage and inspire that action. If fighting climate change can be engaging, fun, and fulfilling, this is the road map."―
Kirkus

"[A] straightforward, accessible look at the environmental impact of consumer habits...With insight and urgency, Schlossberg prods readers to think more deeply...[and] delivers an intriguing and educational narrative."―
Publishers Weekly

"With this call for mass action [Schlossberg] presents valuable information that could help readers make more sustainable choices in their lives."―
Library Journal

About the Author

Tatiana Schlossberg is a journalist writing about climate change and the environment. She previously reported on those subjects for the Science and Climate sections of the New York Times, where she also worked on the Metro desk. Her work has also appeared in the Atlantic, Bloomberg View, the Record (Bergen County), and the Vineyard Gazette. She lives in New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Balance; First Edition (August 27, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1538747081
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1538747087
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.06 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 170 ratings

About the author

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Tatiana Schlossberg
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Tatiana Schlossberg is a journalist writing about climate change and the environment.

She previously reported on those subjects for the Science and Climate sections of the New York Times, where she also worked on the Metro desk. Her work has also appeared in The Atlantic, Bloomberg View, Yale Environment 360, The Record (Bergen County), and the Vineyard Gazette.

She lives in New York.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
170 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2021
This book was wonderful - very informative, eye-opening and for me, resulted in a lot of changed behaviors. Yes, as other reviews pointed out there are a lot of terrifying prospects presented but I disagree with those who suggest she does not offer ways to make a positive impact. She presents readers with lots of information to use to make informed choices on these matters and is clear that advocacy in the political environment is critical. After I finished this book, I read We Are The Weather, which was a great follow-up. Both have given me a lot of insight and helped me to make decisions about the best ways I can fight climate change. Highly recommend!
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2019
I like the title—an adjective not usually used with consumption—light-pedaling even on the cover and cover design. On the cover, the letters get lighter and lighter finishing out the sub-title. Is this symbolic of the clean water and air that are starting to disappear even now?

I admit that I ordered this book because it was written by a Kennedy, even a Caroline Kennedy. Being that, I was pretty sure it would agree with my values. Also, I applaud anyone who tackles the subject of our consumption, choices we make around using straws, streaming Netflix, or eating apples in the spring. She doesn’t let us off the hook for personal habits, such as if we drank from any of the “more than 56 billion plastic bottles that were used needlessly in the US in 2018.”

I expected to read only the introduction and the acknowledgements (surely a source for Kennedy insights) and skip the technical body of the book. But she got me to hang in there. She starts telling us about the physical internet and starts that story from a snowbank. She tells us about power and kilowatt hours and does that from apartment floors where she is plugging in her Kill A Watt meter taking measurements.
Her strategy included putting the fun topics-food and fashion in the front sections. She left the fuel chapter until the end, understanding its capacity for boredom. She joked that it was “a move by a certainly saavy businesswoman. Evidenced by her decision to become a journalist and writing about the world’s most popular, easy-reading topic.” Okay, interest piqued, soldier on.

Mostly it is her humor that drew me to read the entire book. The self-deprecating remarks, and environmental ironies she scatters through the book kept me chuckling and laughing even given this dismal mission she has taken on. After a groaner pun (fight or flight), she offers to see herself out. With bad news to deliver, she softens the blow with allowing that it’s up to her to break our hearts just a little. To see if we’re paying attention, at the umpteenth time she mentions corn as a problem, it gets a “duh.”

The author has succeeded in writing this book as something readable, witty, and even understandable for an exceedingly complex topic. I finished the book convinced that at least she, the author, understands HFC’s, coal dust, and BTU’s and that gives me assurance about the environment (maybe because she’s a Kennedy and therefore can make everything right?)

I’m pleased also that a Kennedy is honoring the legacy of their greatest generation roots by thinking deeply about our country. Remember “What can your country do for you, do for your country?” Now let’s apply that to the environment. Reading the book was an opportunity to get out my rose-colored glasses, if for just a bit.
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2019
This book really highlights the complexities of human behavior and the effects of such behavior on the environment. As with any other social problem, everything is interconnected and there are no easy solutions. I highly recommend this book for anyone, but especially someone eager to use what they learn as a jumping board to learning more and effecting change.

Tatiana Schlossberg writes in such a way that is understandable. I especially appreciate her humor. I find it helpful to balance heartbreaking, overwhelming issues with light-hearted sarcasm and wit. The humor is almost comforting and makes the emotionally challenging parts of the book easier to read.
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2022
My book was shipped in just a few days and is in excellent condition. I got a 1st edition hardback, signed by the author for 50% of the cover price. I was very excited. Thank you very much!
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
This is an essential first book to read on the climate crisis. If you can read at a high school level, this book is accessible to you and you will learn everything you need to be an informed citizen and take action that will make a positive difference. Decent, knowledge people need to speak up and “say sh..t when they have a mouth full of it.” Quit being pleasant and polite and just speak the truth, expose ignorance and do what you can.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2020
This book is broken up into 4 sections: Technology/Internet, Food, Fashion, and Fuel. Up until the last section I was going to rate this book 3 stars but she saved the best for last and so I decided to change my rating. Her writing style didn't really appeal to me as she was frequently interjecting her personal quirky and sarcastic opinions in the middle of a serious discussion about climate change or something similar. It feels like it is directed to someone on a more basic level of understanding on the subject which is good for many people but I just felt like I was in a high school class while reading the book.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2019
A terrific book all consumers (and that's everyone) should read. It's a goldmine of fascinating and often shocking facts and statistics, which together present a compelling critique of our society's attitude regarding material things and the easy flow of people and information around the globe. It makes you think about your individual impact and, more importantly, shows that we need to act collectively if we are to make a positive difference. Very motivating.