1 It All Begins with a Butterfly Paola Campos The Butterfly Effect states that a single flap of a butterfly’s wings can make a wave that escalates to a hurricane in weeks on the other side of the planet. In the book, We Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer, climate change is the main topic. The author uses the concepts of ‘crisis’ and ‘wave’ in terms of climate change to capture sympathy from the audience and to give specific events to help them better understand the topic that relates to the current health crisis of COVID-19. Not only does the author inform about climate change, he also delivers actions one can personally accomplish to make a difference that they wouldn’t have thought of doing before reading Foer’s book. Much like a simple action by a single butterfly can become a huge impact to something greater, a single individual can change one habit to end the climate crisis.
2 An individual cannot fix what one cannot see. An example is given by the author of not knowing when his roof needs to be fixed because it is out of sight and out of mind. This is how most people treat climate change. When describing climate change as being a crisis, most people either characterize it as being, according to Foer, “science fiction or plain fiction.” Randy Olsen, a marine biologist and filmmaker, claims climate change “as being the most boring subject the science world has ever had to present to the public” (Foer 16). Explaining as to why any popular media does not report on climate change relates to the author's use of out of sight, out of mind. The media does not want to inform the public about the climate and so the public has no knowledge of it and in return, one cannot take action, or sympathize on a matter they do not know of. When an individual sympathizes with something, they are more likely to take action on the matter, just like Thomas Boyle Jr. did when he lifted a Camaro off of Kyle Holtrust and saved his life. Boyle states “I had to do something...I could not watch him suffer like that and not even try to help...What if that was my son” (Foer 25). Boyle did what most people do when faced with a difficult
3 situation: he turned to his conscience, chose to feel sympathy for Holtrust, and quickly took action. The sympathy that Boyle felt for Holtrust is what the author wants the audience to feel and take quick action on when talking about climate change, that is why he chose to use the concept of ‘crisis’ when addressing the climate so to produce sympathy. “Until someone actually does something about it, nothing is going to change,” is what Foer states after he viewed Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth’s end credits list for solving the climate crisis. Much like how the climate crisis has been described as a wave in the book, that’s exactly how medical professions have described COVID-19. The climate change wave has only escalated over time and unlike the COVID-19 wave there is only one, and soon enough if humans do not take quick action there won’t be enough time to reverse the damage already created. The author uses the concept of ‘wave’ in terms of climate change by comparing it to a wave at a baseball game, describing it as hard to impose if more and more people are involved. Much like a simple action accomplished by a single butterfly can become a huge impact on something greater, as can one individual do by starting the wave to
4 ending the climate crisis. The idea behind the baseball wave concept is if more people were to join the cause of climate change, then perhaps more people will begin to act on the crisis and solve it. This metaphor given by the author can be related back to the current health crisis of COVID-19, because if more people gained sympathy for the virus then more people would begin to join in, follow CDC guidelines, and perhaps omit a second wave. People can relate to Foer’s statement of “I have never resisted a wave” (41). When writing the thesis for We Are the Weather, the author gives the action of changing one's diet to a plant-based diet as the first step to ending the climate crisis. He states that lowering or even expunging animal products will create a huge impact on climate change. Surprisingly enough, his statement of changing one meal, one simple action can become a huge impact on climate change just as simple as flaps from a butterfly’s wings can cause a huge impact on the weather. However, a wave is not possible without someone to start it. Foer states, “The four highest-impact things an individual can do” and I plan to accomplish all of them. I have already completed a few of the actions to take, starting with my upcoming four years at CBU, I
5 will be leaving my car in my hometown and living car-free on campus, another action I have completed is avoiding air travel so every time I’ve had to leave the state it has only been by road. I plan to lower my intake of animal products and in the future adopt as many kids as possible. I’m ready to end the climate crisis, I’m ready to join the wave, and I’m ready to be that single butterfly that creates a huge impact. In summary, just as a single flap of a butterfly’s wings can make a wave that escalates to a hurricane in weeks on the other side of the planet, so can a single individual do by changing a simple habit to end the climate crisis. We Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer expands on the topic of climate change by using the concepts of ‘crisis’ and ‘wave’ in terms of climate change to capture sympathy to the audience by giving specific events to help better understand the topic which can also be related to the
6 current health crisis of COVID-19. The author also delivers actions ranging from big to small one can personally accomplish to make a difference that they wouldn’t have thought of doing before reading the book. It begins with the one individual, to start the wave, to change the weather, to be that one butterfly that creates a huge impact on ending the climate crisis.
Solidarity Alone Is Suicide Hannah Casey In We Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer, he explores the topic of climate change using a creative approach. Foer begins the book by recalling historical crises and recollections of his youth, making connections along the way to wave, crisis, and decision. These historical
events are used as parallel examples to our ongoing climate crisis,
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although he deceives the readers by navigating away from his ultimate thesis. His definitions and discussions of his key words often cause the reader to emotionally grapple with the consequences of their actions, not only for themselves, but for others as well. Foer asks, “[w]hat decisions did the crisis inspire? Why on earth- why on Earth- did we choose our suicide and their [future generation’s] sacrifice?” (69). He explains the meaning of wave by using an example of honeybees making a collective effort to ward off predators when an individual could not succeed alone. He argues that in a crisis, there are choices beyond the immediate actions, “[a]re those our only options when responding to a crisis? Hysterical strength or hysterical weakness? No, there is a
third option…. Waves do not require any more initiative than
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participation” (Foer 40-41). His exploration of the necessity for collective participation in response to a crisis is key to the development of his thesis: a global crisis requires a global response and an overall ability to overcome challenges and act by making sacrifices for the greater good. Foer’s development of his thesis is interesting because he intentionally deceives his readers of the real thesis. He uses the historical crises as a façade to capture interest before revealing his true motive. He explains that “[c]onversations about meat, dairy, and eggs make people defensive. They make people annoyed. No one who isn’t a vegan is eager to go there, and the eagerness of vegans can be a further turnoff” (Foer 64). His deliberate deceit is something that is rarely done in works that are realistic and non-fiction. He also admits the faults of the
discussion surrounding climate change, telling readers honestly
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that “[h]istory not only makes a good story in retrospect; good stories become history. With regard to the fate of our planetwhich is also the fate of our species- that is a profound problem” (Foer 16). Foer is brutally honest that the discussion is not one that is particularly exciting, but that the discussion is necessary, nonetheless. Foer suggests many small changes, such as planting trees, and going car-free, but states that, “…we cannot save the planet unless we significantly reduce our consumption of animal products” (64). Foer uses a variety of historical parallelisms to aid readers in understanding the severity of our current crisis and the absolute necessity of collective action for change. His first example is that “[d]uring World War II, Americans in cities along the East Coast turned off their lights at dusk… to prevent German U-boats from using urban backlighting to spot and destroy ships
10 exiting harbor” (Foer 7). He explains the importance of solidarity and collective action for the benefit of others by claiming “Solidarity was an important asset, even if such gestures would have been foolish––would have been suicidal––if they were the only efforts made. World War II would not have been won without home-front actions… ordinary people joining together to support the greater cause” (Foer 7-8). Foer uses this example to explain that everyone has a role to play in a crisis. Foer also references the many different collective actions and chain reactions required to create the polio vaccine, such as funding provided by President Franklin Roosevelt, creation and testing by Jonas Salk, and volunteers to test the efficacy of the vaccine. Foer summarizes the importance of collective action during this crisis, “[w]ho cured polio? No one did. Everyone did” (52), emphasizing that no one individual could’ve led to the creation of the vaccine; it required a movement. Lastly, Foer uses a comparison of objects to climate change to show severity and need to immediate action. He illustrates that, “[c]limate change is not a jigsaw puzzle on the coffee table, which can be returned to when the schedule allows,
11 and the feeling inspires. It is a house on fire. The longer we fail to take care of it, the harder it becomes to take care of” (Foer 67). His final example causes readers to visualize the climate crisis in simple terms and depicts the urgency of the climate crisis. Although the novel concerns the planet’s climate crisis, some aspects overlap to the efforts that must be made to combat our current health crisis, COVID-19. Foer’s emphasis of demand for collective action and sacrifice applies to both crises. Everyone must make sacrifices ––wearing a mask, social distancing, and avoiding vacations––for the good of everyone. These sacrifices are mild inconveniences, but without them we cannot hope to win this version of war. The selfishness of people today is risking the lives of others, instead of figuratively turning off their lights at dusk, they are illuminating the lighthouses. Foer’s states that, “[w]e do not
12 have the luxury of living in our time. We cannot go about our lives as if they were only ours” (68) is incredibly relevant to our health crisis. Those who are currently choosing to ignore the rules and regulations purely out of gluttony are living as if their decisions have no consequences for others. Those acting in ignorance because of greed on the home-front are allowing more lives to be taken from those who are essential workers fighting on the front lines. Foer also states something monumental: “Knowing is the difference between a grave error and an unforgivable crime” (70) that can be related to those who know the danger and are aware of CDC guidelines and recommendations but are choosing to commit a crime because they cannot fathom the concept of selfdenial for the benefit of others. Foer also quotes President Franklin Roosevelt, “[e]very loyal American is aware of his individual
responsibility… ‘sacrifice’ is not exactly the proper word with
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which to describe the program of self-denial. When, at the end of this great struggle, we shall have saved our free way of life, we shall have made no ‘sacrifice’” (10). This symbolizes that the self-denial of luxury should ultimately be thought of as a duty rather than an immense burden and challenges the notion the requiring Americans to wear masks is a violation of their freedom. America’s current state of “loyal Americans” refusing to wear masks because they believe they should not have to change their ways to protect other Americans juxtaposes the American concept of loyalty, solidarity, freedom and a united front. Foer’s development of his thesis uses not only facts, but previous scenarios of peril that required emotional inspiration to tackle the crisis at hand throughout history. His honesty in the
14 discussion of climate change made it more appealing to read, and his use of parallelisms made it easier to understand what is at stake if changes are not made to counter the climate crisis. Even before reading this book, I had been changing my lifestyle, but now I am inspired to keep making changes and encourage others to make these changes as well. Although this is a miniscule change, I try to carpool when possible and always use the eco-friendly setting when I am driving. I also choose to buy soymilk instead of dairy milk. At my mom’s house, we greatly limit our consumption of meat to once, maybe twice, a week and limit how often we make eggs. At my dad’s house, we do not eat mammal meat at all. Albeit that these are small changes, I am hoping to continue making changes in my personal life, and encourage others to make the small, but important, changes in solidarity for the greater good of our society and our planet.
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Humanity Rising from the Ashes of Our Own Fire Mary Catherine Enriquez It is of no contention that the Earth is dying, and dying at an ever-increasing rate. It is up to us, the most capable inhabitants, to save the world ––and thereby save ourselves––or die trying. In his book We Are the Weather, author Johnathon Safran Foer highlights the struggles the Earth faces and how to face the problems head on – blaming humanity as the sole villain. He states that only once we put our selfishness and desire for comfort aside, then will we be able to reverse the damage and find long-term solutions. What is most interesting about this book is although it provides clear cut facts about how
humanity is solely behind the problem behind global warming,
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there are still those who oppose this – thereby opposing science itself. Another interesting point is that Foer compares humanity to honeybees. He states how honeybees all work together to achieve the survival of the hive – a task “no individual bee could do on its own” (Foer 39). This provides the solution that we desperately need. Stalling global warming is something no one person could do on their own, much less reverse it, which is the ideal. However, we also do not need to be influential scientists or wealthy supporters to help. Like the honeybees, it is crucial that everyone does their part. While alone, our impact makes not much of a difference, everyone together––all the billions of us––can accomplish what is thought to be almost impossible. Like the Shopping Cart Theory, which states that there is an innate sense of community in our society. The overarching theme of
17 this theory states that although there is no written rule to put back a shopping cart for the benefit of the next person, most people do it any way, usually even mindlessly. Humanity should face the global warming challenge with this same mindset. Although stalling or even reversing climate change may not happen in one single generation, the goal is to make it easier and easier for the generations to follow. In We Are the Weather, Foer talks about the mass extinctions that the world has faced so far. In the chapter, “The First Crisis�, he lists nothing but the facts about these six extinctions. The worst part? All but one deal with climate change, and the sixth extinction is happening currently. This sixth extinction, which scientists have referred to as the Anthropocene Extinction, is due to humanity, and humanity alone. Foer states, “Human activity is responsible for 100
percent of the global warming that has occurred since the
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beginning of the Industrial Revolution” (77). In history we were always taught that the Industrial Revolution has been considered one of humanity’s greatest steps forward. It is surprising to me that it has also turned out to be the beginning of our downfall. As I said previously, one of Foer’s main points was that by joining together, we can save the Earth. This has been shown by the COVID-19 pandemic, even as early as the very beginning. Due to the fear of the pandemic and getting sick, the world was in a shutdown. Everyone in every country locked their doors and hunkered down. During this time, a natural phenomenon occurred––because of the basic disappearance of the human race, the Earth healed itself. In Venice, Italy, the water in the Venetian canals cleared, and fish and dolphins––which
19 had not been seen in years––returned after only a few weeks. Only two months later and the smog that had plagued China for approximately a decade due to factory emissions began to clear, and citizens of Beijing and Shanghai got to experience and enjoy the sunset again. This point in time proved both of Foer’s claims: that by joining together we can help Earth heal; but it also proved at how selfish that humankind is. People did not listen to scientists when they asked for everyone to do their part (no matter how small it was) in helping to save the Earth, but when COVID-19 hit and the death rates dramatically rose, everyone locked themselves indoors to save their lives. Overall, Johnathan Safran Foer’s text We Are the Weather was written to truly enlighten its readers about the imminent danger we as a people face and spark their motivation to change
20 for the better to––live with an environmentally conscious mindset. Personally, after hearing the damage that commercial farming causes to the land––for example, how “59 percent of all the land capable of growing crops [is used] to grow food for livestock” makes me think about how that percentage could be cut down and some more food can go people who need it if we stopped supporting large commercial farms––has made me inspired to grow a lot of my own food such as vegetables, herbs, and fruit. Furthermore, I plan to advocate for more humane treatment of animals while also trying to switch to a fully vegetarian diet after I read about the inhumane treatment of chickens, and how automated de-beakers “which burn off the ends of chickens’ faces” became the normal for farmers (Foer 82). Foer’s book has really opened my eyes, and after reading We Are the Weather, I agree with his way of thinking––that, like honeybees, humanity must join together to stop climate change and save the Earth’s inhabitants; because when everyone does their part, we have a chance at survival, but alone, we face our destruction.
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Individual’s Impact on Global Warming Enya Familoni Global warming and climate change have been on the forefront for many years. Although, it was completely surprising for me to learn the correlation that exists between eating meat and global warming. One would not generally make the connection. Foer suggests that saving the planet begins with breakfast. He believes consuming less meat daily can make a huge contribution to our climate as it relates to animal agriculture and the negative impact it has on our environment. Foer urges individuals to change daily habits, adapt a vegan diet, if not completely, in part by eating
22 meat only at dinner. Foer further invocates when people do waves it creates excitement. He believes there needs to be a wave to ripple people into working against climate change. A crisis impacts everyone nationally as well as globally, by destroying their lifestyle, environment, and/or health. Society should change the social norms and reduce their consumption of meat and dairy, reduce food waste, and consider more greenhouses. Foer made a lot of anecdotes in order to invoke a connection to people’s perspective of climate change. Apollo 13 astronauts describe the Overview Effect, Stephen Hawking’s input on the status of the crisis, and the stolen Mona Lisa to imply “invisible curiosities”. Foer references Rosa Parks’ actions, refusing to move to the back of the bus, that resulted in the Civil Rights movement, to strongly suggest individual actions do matter. Some of the points Foer makes regarding global warming has a direct connection to the current health crisis, COVID-19. Both are crises that affect people across the globe. Although we are separated by distance, we are connected by the crisis. What affects
one country ultimately impacts all countries regarding global
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warming and COVID-19. People need to make sacrifices to help reduce the numbers of COVID-19 cases. America has one of the world’s highest Coronavirus cases and some of our citizens still do not see it as something to be feared. The cases in America have been increasing at an alarming rate. Some people are being disconcerted about the pandemic and continue to live the same lifestyle before the pandemic. For example, some are not wanting to wear a mask, others continue to attend large social gatherings. This action is parallel to the action and inaction we are taking against global warming. We must all do our part to combat the deadly virus and reduce global warming. Individual choices are key to making a difference. It is a world crisis, just as COVID19 is. Solidarity is important in solving this global crisis. After reading Foer’s book, We Are the Weather, I am more informed as to what contributes to global warming and climate change and in part, how to mitigate it. This read has allowed me to reevaluate the way I live and my contribution to the global warming crisis. I am interested in planting trees and reducing food
24 waste due to the disturbing conditions of our climate. Some of the changes I will incorporate into my daily life are recycling products, choosing reusable products, eating less meat, and reducing household energy and waste along with raising awareness. The challenge of developing systemic change cannot be met without the critical shift of global energy systems and individual choice. Foer echoed throughout the novel on how “collective actions need to be set in motion” in order for there to be progress in saving the planet (48). People collectively ignore problems and continue on in their daily life and “an environmental crisis…doesn’t feel like an event until [individuals] are a part of” (Foer 69). There are “those of us who accept the fact of anthropogenic climate change deny our personal contribution to it” (Foer 110). People accepting their own contribution to the problem and attempting to counteract their damage can help improve the outcome. The title, We Are the Weather, is supposed to include everyone as a factor of global climate change. People are in fact the problem in most crises. They can improve the problem or neglect their responsibility. Even if the crisis involves a global health crisis like the coronavirus or climate
25 change, people living on the same planet have a part in neglecting it and fixing it. The challenge of developing systemic change cannot be met without the crucial shift of global energy systems and individual choice. It is imperative that we make the vial change to lessen our carbon footprint. Individual responses as well as corporations and business are essential in the fight to reduce global warming and save our planet.
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We Are the Change Aaron Hill For decades, the future of our Earth has been in question. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been emitting harmful gasses and other substances into the atmosphere. As a result, our ozone layer is depleting, and more UV rays are reaching the Earth’s surface. These rays are the leading cause of global climate change. Jonathan Foer, the author of We Are the Weather, goes into great detail on the harmful effects that humans have on the planet through both horrifying and hopeful story telling. Through the course of his book, he speaks of different objects and people that have had such terrible effects on the climate. The way he tells of climate change can be tricky to understand at first, but the reader will soon realize why climate change is such a hard issue to combat. It is because there is not a sole victim in which
27 people can sympathize for, so therefore it is not their problem. In order to bring more attention to the issue, Foer asks his readers to act as individuals even within the big corporations. People taking a stand will lead to “top-down” and “bottom-up” policy changes that will decrease the emissions of the large corporations. He also gives a list of actions to take including: using renewable energy, planting trees, speaking up in your community, voting for change, etc. The examples given by Foer are touching and will strike an interest in being part of the help. Foer uses very specific dates, people, events, and decisions to give his audience a better view of the true climate crisis that is happening in front of them. For example, one of the examples he uses involves the civil rights movement. Foer refers back to 1955 to speak about the bus boycotts but goes on to say that we were never taught who was the first to refuse her seat on the bus. That title actually belongs to Claudette Colvin. He then goes on to say, “and that isn’t a coincidence or an accident. To some extent, the triumph of the civil rights movement required forgetting Claudette Colvin” (Foer 12). The significance of this small excerpt is that
people can be aware of the things happening around them, but it
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does not mean that everyone is adamant on solving the issue. Just like Claudette was forgotten, the climate crisis is known globally, however, people are not immersing themselves to solve the issue. To fix this, people need to react before they see it as their problem or else it will be too late. The civil rights movement is not the only event that Foer calls upon to further explain his thesis. There is a smaller incident in a later chapter where a man named Thomas Boyle Jr. saves teenager Kyle Holtrust’s life. Kyle was struck on his bike by an oncoming vehicle and was trapped underneath it until Thomas Boyle Jr. came and lifted up the car so the boy could be dragged out. Now from just that you may be thinking, “Thomas is a hero.” As that may be true, Foer tells his audience that it wasn't Mr. Boyle alone that saved the boy. It was a collective effort. He goes on to say, “One amazing person lifted the car off Holtrust’s body, but then many people pulled their cars to the side of the road to make the ambulance’s journey quicker. They were every bit as important in saving the young man’s life...” (Foer 26).The mention of how
important it was for the people pulling over their cars relates to
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solving every problem in life. For now, let’s relate it to climate change. Foer’s purpose of including this short anecdote is to show people that change and solutions come from a collection of both large and small contributions. Everyone must pull their weight in whatever ways they are able. Foer even uses a quote from one of the most achieved and recognized astronauts ever to enhance his audience’s understanding. This man is none other than Neil Armstrong. After his infamous moonwalk, he is on record for saying, “When you have hundreds of thousands of people all doing their job a little better than they have to, you get an improvement in performance” (Foer 62). Foer doesn’t go on to explain how this relates to the climate crisis because it is so blatantly obvious. If everyone was to try a little harder and work more together, then change can be made more efficiently and quickly. This would lead to a safer and happier world for the next generation and all those after. Not to mention, if everyone were to set a standard of togetherness, then that would be the standard in the future: not allowing as much
selfishness as there is in today’s world. Everything that Foer has
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included relates back to the common issue of the climate crisis, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Just about every single message that Foer portrays in We Are the Weather can be reiterated in the global crisis we are facing as of right now, COVID-19. Millions of people across the world are suffering and dying from this new virus, but how come the rates in some places don’t seem to be slowing down? How come the infection rate seems to be growing? This is because not everyone is doing what they can. It takes every single person to slow the spread. From researching a vaccine, to wearing a mask. There is something that each person is able to do to help resolve this issue. In the US, many people refuse to wear masks and refuse to stay a safe distance away from people because they are not scared of this virus. They also don’t believe that it is their job to help become the solution. This is exactly the point Foer portrays in his book. In order to resolve anything, there must be unity. And before unity can happen, awareness needs to be spread.
31 After reading Jonathan Foer’s book, We Are the Weather, I feel more inclined to take a stand and help make this planet a better and safer place for generations to come. I feel that I could help make a difference by planting trees throughout my community. I would also like to use my voice by voting for a change. Putting someone who is environmentally conscious in a position where they can order change. I know there is more that I could do, but for the time being those two examples seem the most realistic to me. We Are the Weather…And Its Change Reilly King We Are the Weather begins with Foer reminiscing on a book he was intrigued with as a child –– a book of “facts and anecdotes that also includes the dying wishes of Virgil and Houdini; elegies to the dodo and the eunuch; and... man-made obsolescence” (3). From this book, Foer was taught how the air he inhales is the same air everyone who is, and even who was, inhales. This aligns history, as well as humanity, as “a vast web woven from one strand” (Foer 4). Foer applies the same ideology to the climate crisis, that it is not one single concern to tackle, but
rather an array of problems, each with its own cause, effect, and
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solution. In order to combat climate change and reduce the heating of our planet, humanity as a whole must take cautionary actions, such as reducing meat intake, as Foer urges. In respect to the global meat intake, “sixty percent of mammals...are...raised for food”, and that sixty percent is “the leading source of methane emissions”, as well as nitrous oxide emissions. Methane and nitrous oxide have much more global warming potential than carbon dioxide, and “according to a John Hopkins University report… ‘If global trends in meat and dairy intake continue, global mean temperature rise will be more than likely to exceed 2° C’” (Foer). But in order for all of society to change, individuals must take their own preventive actions first. “Social change, much like climate change, is caused by multiple chain reactions that occur simultaneously” (Foer 50). Foer urges his readers to limit their meat and dairy intake in hopes of reducing the greenhouse gasses emitted by livestock. For his readers to better grasp climate change, Foer provides specific events and decisions to exemplify the crisis. In
33 regard to farming, “humans have destroyed 83 percent of all wild mammals and half of all plants” at the founding of agriculture twelve thousand years ago. However, “if human history was a day, [humans] were hunter-gatherers until...ten minutes before midnight” (Foer). According to Foer’s analogy, humankind has destroyed the majority of wildlife in only 10 minutes and will continue to destroy animals at an alarming rate if no actions are taken. He also alludes to World War II and how American citizens along the East Coast participated in blackouts –– shutting off all lights to prevent the Germans from spotting and destroying American forces. Although the civilians were not in any immediate danger, “[they] joined together to support the greater cause” (Foer 8). The war was being fought overseas, but American citizens took it upon themselves to serve the troops in a collective act of turning their lights off. This shows how small decisions, even when facing no immediate threat, can aid in winning a war, such as reducing meat intake can better the climate crisis. Foer explains how “the word ‘crisis’ derives from the
Greek krisis, meaning ‘decision’” (27). The climate crisis is a
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choice, one humanity must decide whether or not to continue. In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began, with the virus spreading globally and disrupting humanity as a whole. Many countries implemented rules and safety precautions –– such as mandatory masks, self-quarantine periods, and the six-feetapart safeguard –– to help slow the spread and to protect its citizens. Civilians across many different countries took it upon themselves to reduce the spread of Covid, even if their government had not enforced any safety protocols. Just as Foer implies with slowing climate change, we must come together for the greater good to combat the virus and better the world around us. However, many Americans find it is hard to grasp this concept. They have protested the stay at home orders, refused social distancing, and claimed that wearing masks is an infringement of their American freedom. Several countries have reduced the amount of cases per day, with even some opening their economy and job force back up completely, while America is still struggling to contain the spread. Americans are refusing to
make small sacrifices to better the greater good. Foer quotes
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President Roosevelt in a speech he gave to Americans in the midst of World War II, saying “As I told the congress yesterday, ‘sacrifice’ is not exactly the proper word with which to describe this program of self-denial. When, at the end of this great struggle, we shall have saved our free way of life, we shall have made no ‘sacrifice’” (10). Roosevelt was advising American citizens how the sacrifices they must make are not truly sacrifices because at the end of the war, they will have saved their American freedom. The same concept can be applied to taking the proper protocol in regard to COVID-19. Wearing masks, maintaining a safe distance from one another, and selfquarantining when needed are small sacrifices all Americans must commit to doing in order to eliminate the spread of the virus. We Are the Weather helped me to understand the impact my actions and decisions have on the world. I have always tried limiting the amount of meat and dairy products I consume, but I find myself making excuses, such as “It’s too hard to cut out all
36 meat” or “Dairy and meat alternatives are too expensive”. One of my biggest faults is that I become lazy with sticking to a meat free diet. Foer’s explanation of how livestock directly affects the climate crisis made me face the issue I kept ignoring. I knew the absurd amount of meat consumption was horrible for the planet, in regard to both animal population and the earth’s climate, but since I could not directly see the issue, I chose to ignore the problem and selfishly continue my life as it was. Now I know the impact I have on the world and the future of humanity. If I could cut down my meat intake at every meal, I would hopefully be able to become fully vegetarian, or at least pescatarian. A meat-free lifestyle is one I have long wanted to achieve, but I pushed the desire to the back of my mind since cutting out meat seemed too hard and I chose to be lazy. Now, after reading Foer’s work, I know a vegetarian lifestyle is much easier than I thought, and comes with great rewards, such as reducing greenhouse emissions and lowering the amount of animals needed for livestock. I am now choosing to do my part in saving the earth, the climate, and its weather, since we are the only hope in saving what we are.
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38 Changing Habits to Save the Planet Daniel Loos In We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast author Jonathan Foer discusses how climate change and the planetary crisis is caused by various factors and misconducts of the human race. It is clear to the majority of society that change is needed in order to prevent the very possible and very dangerous outcomes of global warming, but many are left with the questions, “Where do we begin or why even try?” These two questions are so often thought of and asked by the human race because we only see one side of the planetary crisis due to the discomforting other side of it. In the section titled Show Your Hands, Foer says, “Our attention has been fixed on fossil fuels, which has given us an incomplete picture of the planetary crisis and led us to feel that we are hurling rocks at a Goliath far out of reach” (14). So, what is the other side of the planetary crisis? Foer argues that one of the easiest and most efficient ways of fixing the problem at hand is by starting a “wave”, or trend, in which everyone in society can and
39 must participate in. The “wave” that the author is pleading us all to join in on is to significantly reduce our vast consumption of animal products. While it is very clear that changing our eating habits isn’t the only change that needs to be made in order to save the Earth, it is a much simpler and more efficient task that everyday people like myself can participate in. Foer compares this simple task to the tasks completed by the US Home-front during WWII. In the section It Will Be Impossible to Defuse the Ticking Time Bomb Without Reducing Our Consumption of Animal Products Foer states, “Home-front efforts during WWII were not enough, on their own, to win the war, but the war could not have been won without home-front efforts…changing how we eat will not be enough, on its own, to save the planet, but we cannot save the planet without changing how we eat ” (2). It cannot just be a handful of people who make this necessary change, it has to be everyone...it must be a wave. However, the problem with everyone contributing to the change is too many people are too distracted or oblivious to the
40 issue at hand, too selfish to make an uncomfortable change for the greater good, or do not believe in the imminent danger and threat of climate change. That same sentence can also be applied to the very current and more immediate issue the society and the world is facing: COVID-19, Coronavirus, the pandemic. Primarily in the United States, our society has turned the problems of climate change and COVID-19 into a political argument, which in my mind is absolutely absurd. How can we allow ourselves to argue about two issues that have, are, and will clearly threaten our livelihoods and lives period? Coronavirus, similar to climate change, is a problem that we all must tackle together rather than argue about whether or not it is real or whether or not it is really worth putting some of our own selfish desires to the side for the time being. Because the plain and obvious truth is yes, it is real, and it is worth making a couple sacrifices. Similarly joining the wave of changing our eating habits, we also must join the wave of social distancing, wearing face masks, and following simple rules that have been put in place to insure all of our safety during this time of crisis.
Another reason we as a society continuously fail to begin
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taking the necessary steps towards a positive change in the planetary crisis or the COVID-19 pandemic is because, as Foer puts it, many of us fail to believe in the problems at hand, which impedes us from making change. While many will say they do believe in the problem, Foer argues that there is a difference in believing in something and knowing that it is real. In the section Be Leaving, Believing, Be Living Foer criticizes himself by making the statement, “I have this daydream in a house that I know consumes multiples of my fair share of energy and I know is representative of the kind of voracious lifestyle that I know is destroying our planet‌ but I am incapable of the belief that would move me to do somethingâ€? (23). So, most of the world clearly understands that both climate change and Coronavirus are real but the majority of us do not have a strong enough belief in either of the two to make the important and needed actions to fix the two problems. So when I am asked what am I willing to do in order to prevent climate change and put a stop to COVID-19, I first must
ask myself if I truly believe in the threatening issues or if I’m
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unselfish enough and willing to give up normalcy, comfort, and other desires. The answers to both of those questions is yes. I do believe in these issues to the point where I am willing to make a change because in all honesty, with climate change and the planetary crisis especially, I am terrified of what these issues mean for the future of the human race, a future in which my children and grandchildren will have to live in. From now on I will be more aware of and cut back on my animal product consumption, I will vote for a president or other politicians that I know have the same fear and belief that I have when it comes to the planetary crisis, I will turn off my lights at night, I will push others to make similar and necessary changes, I will practice social distancing, I will wear a face mask when I am out in public, I will recycle, I will pray for my fellow human beings and all other life on Earth, and I will do my best every single day to see the bigger picture. While I understand that the actions that I am willing to make are small and clearly not enough to make significant difference in the planetary crisis and the pandemic, they are at least a start, and later on down
the road when I am older in my years I can look back on my life
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and say that I did not do nothing and at least I put an effort towards what I believe in.
Apokalyptein Aldrin Muñoz The English dictionary defines 'crisis' as "a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger." Jonathan Foer uses the word 'crisis' over fifty times throughout his book. When using the word, ‘crisis,' Foer keeps referring back to the planetary crisis that our planet earth is upon, otherwise known as the apocalypse, or the end of our world as we know it. The word ‘apocalypse’ derives from the Greek word apokalyptein, which means "to uncover, or to reveal," and the word 'crisis’ derives from the Greek word krisis, meaning ‘decision’. When reading the book, one can see that Foer uses these words to describe the deeper meanings, such as "understanding that disasters tend to expose that which was
previously hidden" and that "as the planetary crisis unfolds as
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a series of emergencies, our decisions will reveal who we are" (27).
Foer discusses ways to help save the earth. Some of the
examples he uses to explain how to save our planet include using renewable energy, as well as the reduction of eating animals and consumption of animal products. The ideas can be as simple as speaking up, recycling, and planting trees to more complicated things, such as installing solar panels, hand washing clothes, and composting. Even though these actions are not high impact, they are still beneficial in helping battle climate change. Some of the high impact ways to help fight climate change that Foer mentions are to "eat a plant-based diet, avoid air travel, live car-free, and have fewer children." As surprising as it sounds, hundreds of people already live with these high impact ways. For example, China had a one child-policy when the country began to overpopulate. Some people travel from place to place using a bike, and others are vegans by choosing to eat a plant-based diet. Bangladesh is one of the most endangered countries and is "widely considered to be the most vulnerable to climate change"
45 (Foer 164). More than six million Bangladesh residents have been forced to move due to natural disasters. Many of these disasters include tropical cyclones, droughts, and flooding. If the climate continues to worsen, it could cause more than one-third of the country to submerge in water. Bangladesh isn't the only country to be affected by these rising sea levels; hundreds of cities around the coasts will flood, causing millions of people and dozens of metropolises to be uninhabitable. The increase in temperatures of the oceans will cause many ice caps and ice sheets to melt irreversibly. Many heat waves will hit across the globe, costing billions of losses in finances and thousands of deaths. We will experience the extinction of more than half of all animals and plants on earth. If people continue to ignore climate change, millions of ecosystems will be disrupted because of the damage. In a way, it seems as if Foer is talking to us directly during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, not as many people can go out, and most are stuck at home, not being able to do anything. If you were to read this during quarantine, it would motivate you to do something while you're stuck at home to help
46 save the planet. When more people are stuck at home, it causes the amount of food and groceries purchased per person to increase, and it causes the number of purchased animal products and animals to grow, but this is not always the case in certain places. I never grew up with much, but I used what I had to the best of my ability. I did my best to learn about the world we call Earth. I learned simple things about how many presidents there have been in office in the United States to the moon landing of 1969. Later on, I learned more about climate change on Earth and how we could help the earth recover. It wasn't until about two years ago that I made a goal to help pick up the trash in the oceans. My goal is to create one of the largest trash collectors in the world that will not harm sea creatures and run on renewable energy. Reading this book inspired me to continue my goal and to make sure it is accomplished one day. The book has motivated me to repay the earth for everything it has given me.
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Will They Even Think We Tried? Ellie Navarre
In Jonathan Safran Foer’s We Are the Weather, the
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concepts of ‘crisis’ and ‘wave’ are explained as the collective decisions of society that affect climate change. Foer encourages readers to reduce consumption of animal products and switch to a plant-based diet before dinner; however, Foer also acknowledges the insufficiency of a single person taking these steps. Individual persons must make a collective decision in order to generate real change. Unlike other crises, “the environmental crisis…doesn’t feel like an event that we are part of” (Foer 69), but it is the accumulation of everyday occurrences of weather—in other words, nothing to worry about. Foer describes the climate change crisis as a house on fire; it is not something society can address at leisure, but it is an imminent disaster readily affecting our world. Soon enough, “we will be unable to save ourselves, no matter our efforts” (Foer 68) and our house will burn to the ground. Despite acknowledging the need to change the habits of society before climate change becomes an irreversible disaster, Foer also admits to the difficulty of accepting such a situation. He compares society’s acceptance of
climate change to Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter’s
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acceptance of Nazi crimes in Germany. Although Frankfurter, a Jew himself, heard Jan Karski’s testimony of the events occurring in Germany, he stated that “[his] mind, [his] heart, they are made in such a way that I cannot accept it” (Foer 18). Frankfurter did not dispute Karski’s claims nor did he claim a lack of power in the situation. Instead, he simply recognized his own “inability to believe the truth” (Foer 19), just as society now fails to believe the truth in climate change. However, society must accept this truth. Society must change or the world as we know it will cease to exist. Foer compares the crisis not to a disease to be treated, but to a tumor that requires removal before the effects are fatal. Like cells multiplying in a cancerous tumor, “the planet can handle only so much warming before positive feedback loops create runaway climate change”. Just as cells multiply rapidly and uncontrollably, our planet warms, our ice melts, and our society dies. Foer’s points relate to the current COVID-19 health crisis because we are currently seeing the effect of group decisions, the creation of history, and the lack of acceptance of an issue that
simply feels too big to handle. Different societies throughout the
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world have handled the COVID-19 crisis in their own ways and now we are seeing the effects of these decisions in the reported cases and fatalities of every individual country. While we once thought shutting down an entire country was crazy, we are now seeing positive effects in those societies. It is the responsibility of the individual citizen to wear a mask, to take precautions, and to see themselves as part of a larger group in order to end this pandemic and save lives. Additionally, we are witnessing the creation of history. Although we are nearly certain the pandemic will be printed in textbooks, we wonder under what circumstances children will learn about our lives right now. Will they still be six feet apart, plexiglass between their desks? Will they judge us for what we did and did not do? Will they think we even tried? Maybe, like climate change and like Frankfurter, we are unable to accept COVID-19. It is entirely possible that instead, we wait and wish for days of concerts, sleepovers, and handshakes. The world is warming, people are dying, we are in a crisis. We have made a
decision, we have caused a wave, and now we must live with the
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consequences. We Are the Weather has inspired me to change my eating habits and take better care of my world. Although I find it difficult to cut meat from everything I eat before dinner, I have decided to take steps in that direction, and hopefully someday, I will succeed. I make small actions every day to help the environment—I avoid using one-use plastic, I carpool when I can— but Foer’s novel helped me to realize that I can do more and I should do more. It is hard, I will not deny, but it is important. It is important that I find the strength to change—that we all find the strength to change. I want to pass the world to my children in the best condition I can and that requires sacrifice. I am finally willing to sacrifice. Little by little, I will change. I will do better.
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The Climate Crisis James Nichols Jonathan Foer’s book We Are the Weather discusses the looming threat of climate change that he states is undermined throughout the world. He discusses the fact as to why this problem has been averted and to why this issue has an effect on our lives today. Though it seems outlandish to think that this crisis must be
53 dealt with now, Foer gives plenty of reasons why not to disregard this problem, and a way to fix it. Foer’s thesis through his book is that Americans, and the world as a whole, should switch to more of a vegan based diet. This proposal would in theory decrease the carbon output in the world and he believes that with this small change, the climate crisis will be averted. The interesting thing about Foer’s proposal is that it would be extremely difficult to persuade the majority of people throughout the world to switch to a more vegan based diet. The reason behind this is that there is no immediate threat to sway the public to change their lifestyles. Though it might be true that Foer’s idea would work, proportionally it is hard to tell, as his goal would be difficult to achieve. Jonathan Foer uses three specific examples that highlight the crisis that is climate change. One of them is agriculture and the gases that greenhouses produce. It is common knowledge that these greenhouse gases are dangerous, but Foer points out that 24% of these harmful gases affect the climate around the world immensely. Another factor that Foer points out is the effect trees
have on the environment and climate. Foer states that when trees
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are burnt, they produce a high amount of carbon dioxide that makes up almost 15% of the carbon that is released into the atmosphere. Also, due to people cutting down a large quantity of trees, remaining trees do not have the ability to absorb the carbon dioxide that is released any more. Foer uses some weather disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and constant reminders on the weather getting hotter each summer. All this data, evidence, and facts that Foer uses is pushed to the side by the public due to it not being an immediate threat to the world. This data that Foer uses puts the climate crisis into perspective and a deeper insight at the issue at hand. The relationship between the COVID-19 and climate change is the effects that COVID-19 has had on the environment. During this awful pandemic, there has been good that has come from it. Now that companies are switching to only essential workers, factories are not producing as much carbon output. This decreased output of carbon dioxide has had a positive effect on the climate as seen in places such as China. China happens to be one
of the largest manufactures across the globe, and their carbon
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levels were so high that their skies were never clear. As soon as the coronavirus hit and their companies switched to essential workers, China has had clear skies and reduced pollution in their air. Though the pandemic is dangerous and has its cons, this pandemic has had a positive impact on the climate. After reading this book, I have decided to decrease my intake of meats that would come from farms. In my mind, I would like to do my part in helping in the environment to decrease the demand in the meat of a cow. Foer proposes that animal products should not be consumed at breakfast or lunch but pushed back to dinner. Now my lifestyle includes a lot of meat from factory farms like steak and pork, but I am considering making a step in the right direction and trying his proposal. This book has been an eye-opening experience to a global crisis that I had not previously looked into. As much as I have heard it in the past, I never once considered the problem that I had been somewhat ignorant of. After seeing all the data that is presented in this book, I know now that there really needs to be a
change that will have a positive impact on the world’s climate.
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Though it might be difficult to accomplish, I believe that this crisis must be acted upon with urgency.
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If We Ignore It, Will It Go Away? Madeleine Rouse In his book We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast, Jonathan Safran Foer warns readers of the dangers of climate change and its potential to turn into a crisis if we do not start taking action. According to Foer, there are four major changes one can make to their daily lives that will dramatically lessen our effect on climate: consuming a plant-based diet, avoiding air travel, living car-free, and having fewer offspring. “Changing how we eat will not be enough, on its own, to save the planet,” Foer explains, “but we cannot save the planet without changing how we eat.” This idea extends to the other three areas of required change as well.
It was interesting to see how Foer used anecdotes to
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elaborate on his research, bringing in parts of history that do not initially seem relevant to the main text. The stories Foer chose to include were relatable and approachable despite the intensity of the topic. An issue like climate change can easily feel overwhelming and impossible because fixing the problem entirely will require most of the world to change––and over a crisis that some still refute. Foer uses Claudette Colvin, the first woman to refuse to give up her seat to a white person on a bus, as an example. Rosa Parks is always cited as the first woman to have done so, in part because Colvin had a child at fifteen, and with a married man. Parks, on the other hand, was an activist in good social standing. We know the story of Rosa Parks because it is clean. Foer uses this story to convey the message that the story of climate change is not a good story. It’s not what catches people’s attention. In the Claudette Colvin story, the movement she was trying to lead is not what catches people’s attention, but instead it is her questionable backstory. I think by making climate change political, we are
trying to make the story more interesting, but in doing so we are
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missing the point. “Most attempts to narrativize the crisis are either science fiction or dismissed as science fiction...It seems fundamentally impossible to pull the catastrophe from over there in our contemplations to right here in our hearts� (Foer 16). Another example that Foer uses is his roof. He explains that, because he cannot see it, he has never had any upkeep. It is not until the roof is so completely damaged that the house beneath is affected that Foer remembers he must repair the roof. Similarly, because the effects of climate change are often not blatant enough to warrant concern, we are unlikely to work on repairing the damage until the effects are disastrous. Foer also includes the fabled story of a witness, in an act of hysterical altruism, lifting a car to save the life of a trapped child. The car the witness lifted is estimated to be between 3,300 and 4,000 pounds. The world record for deadlifting is 1,102 pounds. When the ambulance arrived, everyone pulled their cars to the side of the road to let the ambulance by. “To lift a car into the air is the most one can do. To move your car to the side to make way for the
60 ambulance appears to be the least one can do. Kyle’s life relied on both” (Foer 26). The changes we make to prevent further climate change both big and small are absolutely necessary at this time. Foer does explain further in the book that not all changes will make the same impact, but they all matter. Like climate change, there are people that truly believe that the COVID-19 virus is not real, or not as dangerous as is reported, because they have not personally seen the full extent of the pandemic. There are people that choose to allow the pandemic to spread – or continue to contribute to climate change – because they want money, they want the economy to survive, and they want to continue living as if there is not an impending disaster. We live in an individualistic society where doing something that is not directly beneficial to oneself is almost a sign of weakness and people care more for their fleeting present than they do for the future of the earth. It’s not that these people are bad, but that they have the natural instincts to fight for survival and comfort rather than the betterness of the world as a whole. If Foer is indeed correct about the outcome of the impending climate crisis, the disasters that have constantly
61 arisen during the past year are only a fraction of the devastation that can occur if we do not immediately begin to make changes to the way we live our lives. In addition to those ruled by their instincts to survive, there are people that are unable to or unsure of how to go about making the necessary changes, and whether or not such a small change can truly make a difference. Does wearing a mask or eating less beef really do anything if we aren’t all on board? After reading Foer’s book, I know that I am likely to cut down on my consumption of animal products moving forward, as well as integrating more waste-free methods of living into my life. I want to try to go vegan until dinner as Foer suggests. I did not own a car and before reading We Are the Weather, and I was going to try to save up money for a car. It’s not very convenient to live in most places in the U.S. and not own a car, but after reading Foer’s book, I think I am going to avoid owning or travelling via automobile if it is an option to walk. I would also like to avoid travelling by plane as much as possible due to the impact it has on the environment. As for other small changes, I have a hard time knowing where to start or what will actually help to save the planet and what is just a
62 marketing tactic to get me to spend money, but with the knowledge I now have, I am ready to begin to make the changes, big and small.