Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite
Brian D. McLean’s Our Global Crisis critically examines humanity’s consumption patterns and their detrimental effects on societal stability and ecological health. McLean offers the extinction of the passenger pigeon as a cautionary tale, leaning into how overhunting and habitat destruction, fueled by 19th-century technological advancements, led to its decline. McLean warns against contemporary threats like deforestation and overpopulation, drawing parallels to historical societies, such as Rapa Nui, that faced collapse due to resource mismanagement. He speaks on the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst for anxiety-driven consumption, leading to social unrest, particularly in the United States. McLean critiques anthropocentrism and calls for a collective mindset prioritizing societal welfare over individualism, talking about the necessity for effective political leadership and international collaboration through organizations like the United Nations to foster sustainable practices and address the urgent challenges posed by climate change and overconsumption.
Our Global Crisis: “We’ll Never Run Out!” by Brian D. McLean is an exhaustively researched and sweeping examination of humanity’s precarious relationship with consumption and survival instincts. His incisive writing is authoritative, intelligent, and comprehensive in how he challenges readers to look deeply into the consequences of unchecked economic growth, urging a reevaluation of our priorities. As someone with a deep interest in anthropology, I most appreciated McLean’s discussion of our primitive tendencies serving as a reminder that, despite our intelligence, we often fall prey to short-sighted decision-making, jeopardizing our future. The work is totally up to date and current, given its post-pandemic look at how it was managed, making it relatable to readers at any stage of life, of which McLean adeptly states we are the guardians. This book is essential for those seeking to understand the interconnectedness of our choices and the urgent need for collective responsibility in the face of global crises. As far as I’m concerned, this should be required reading for those studying environmental and social sciences.