THE ANTHROPOCENE EPOCH is a calm, rational, factual, yet absolutely terrifying presentation. Author Bruce Glass discusses first the history of the earth and its repeated extinction events, and then turns to the historical context and scientific facts that suggest that we are in fact headed for another, human-caused extinction event, which might very well take our species with it. He discusses the many and various causes of the environmental crises in a readable style that is readily comprehensible but by no means condescending, from global climate change to plastic waste to mass habitat destruction, and points out not only the consequences these crises have already had, but the much more dire consequences they are likely to have in the future.

This book is intended as a clear and readable overview of a large and complex problem (or set of problems), but there are citations and references to scientific studies and research which both provide backup for his arguments and offer resources for those readers who want to explore a particular point in more depth. Glass’ writing is simple and easy to understand for the layperson, suitable even for an upper-elementary-level textbook (though it would be unlikely to be approved as such, given that it calls out politicians and political parties by name, and does not sugarcoat the probability of impending disaster). That makes it all the more horrifying, frankly – it would be far easier to dismiss a raging, emotion-laden doom-and-gloom sermon than it is to shrug off a relentless parade of facts, presented in a calm, cool, and sensible fashion, backed up by citations, scholarly research, and scientific evidence in all directions. While Glass does take partisan sides on occasion, being quite sharply critical in particular of ex-President Trump, he also has positive things to say about Republicans (like George H. W. Bush) when they do take responsible action and have intelligent policies. While the author is not hesitant to describe in detail the various disasters we are likely facing, the book is not entirely bleak and hopeless – there are some clear action items that readers can take, both individually and collectively, in order to stave off, perhaps, the worst of it. Appendices in the back include a list of endangered animals, a discussion of carbon footprints and how to lessen them, and a summary and text of HR 109, known as the Green New Deal.

Written in clear, simple language and backed up by solid evidence at every turn, Bruce Glass’ THE ANTHROPOCENE EPOCH makes the case for recognizing and addressing the climate change crisis.

~Catherine Langrehr for IndieReader