Rather than discuss the 'how' of where we are with global warming/climate change, this book looks at the corporations, governments, and entrepreneurs who are positioning themselves in various places around the world as the climate changes: Greenland's melt leading to their eventual independence, developing water markets, trying to halt the spread of desert, countries jockeying for mineral rights in the Arctic as new land/water is available.

Very insightful, sometimes scary and even inspiring as we try to adapt to the future. ( )

"Windfall", by McKenzie Funk, provides an interesting insight into Climate Change. It would appear, from surveys taken, that the most significant factor behind acceptance or rejection of global warming / climate change belief isn’t an individual's education or profession, but has more to do with their political leanings and favorite cable TV commentators. This book won't really educate you on the science of global warming, and may not move you from the believer to the denier camp, or vice versa. Rather, through extensive travel and research into how global warming may be impacting people around the world right now, the author looks at what choices people (and Countries)may face, and what opportunities there may be in addressing climate change. Especially interesting was the latter chapter on geoengineering concepts and possibilities, such as cloud seeding, ocean cooling devices, and albedo (e.g., sun reflectivity) modifications. It’s a very interesting look into what the future could look like, and well worth reading. ( )

In Windfall: The Booming Business of Global Warming, journalist McKenzie Funk travels the world to personally visit the companies and people who are making a business from global warming, directly or indirectly. He avoids the obvious green energy windmills and solar panels and looks at others less obvious but no less important. For example Greenlanders who are discovering mineral deposits underneath melted glaciers; artificial snow makers (see the 2014 Olympics); genetically modified mosquitoes to ward off diseases spreading northward; sea-wall makers; deserts tree planting projects; and so on. In the end he lays out his vision of what will probably happen: the northern countries will have no choice but to implement Geo-engineering which will help the north but devastate the poorer countries since GE has regional differences and isn't a uniform solution. This is an extension of what has been happening for 200+ years as richer countries pour CO2 into the atmosphere for their own benefit and the loss of others, so it is a reasonable prediction, the patterns have long been in place, tragedy of the commons predates civilization.

I believe this book would be an excellent rejoinder to climate denialists. How do you deny the existence of real businesses operated by free market libertarians who have embraced the "opportunity" of global warming? It's impossible to be both a global warming denialist and a supporter of private businesses profiting from global warming. Is it ethical to profit from disaster? It doesn't matter because people have, and are, and will. ( )

Thank you GoodReads First Reads for a free copy of Windfall in exchange of my honest review.

I was a bit hesitant about starting Windfall, as I do not need to read a book about "the truth" of global warming or climate change. I was delightedly surprised to find that McKenzie Funk wrote, instead, a book that is truly as advertised: a book about the economics of climate change. As such, Funk reports expertly on the efforts of sovereign states, tiny islands, giant oil companies, think tanks, and various businesses who are/have been aiming to profit from the climate changes that are happening and are continuing to happen.

Funk travels to many places and meets with many influential men (all men, hmm...), who are all possibly small and large players in the next world war to come, whenever it may be. The book connects many dots with thin, invisible, tangible strings that bind the whole of Earth in a very tight and uncomfortable network; from the independence movement of Greenland to the wall of trees being built in Senegal to the wire fence India is building around Bangladesh to the snow machines that were inspired by the Russian gulags, Windfall witnesses the silent decisions that are shaping the future of humans and the Earth now.

Funk took six years to investigate and write this book, and a great job he has done. His writing is precise and crisp, with a good balance between every-day personal experiences and an account of his findings from his travels and interviews as well as his research.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in the politics of immigration, poverty, water rights, and international relations. Also recommended for anyone who has children or plans on having children. Expect a page-turner, albeit a rather bleak one (if you are socialist leaning, that is; otherwise a happy read, if you live and earn in the rich, Northern countries of the world.) ( )