Why people recommend it
The Ends of the World by Peter Brannen is a sweeping scientific history that explores the five major mass extinction events in Earth's geological past and their implications for modern climate change. On an episode of The Ezra Klein Show in July 2023 titled This Taught Me a Lot About How Decarbonization Is Really Going, Robinson Meyer recommended the book during a regular segment dedicated to sharing impactful reads with the audience. Meyer highlighted the text as an engaging history detailing the catastrophic events that have wiped out vast majorities of life on the planet throughout deep time. He pointed to the book as an illuminating way to understand planetary vulnerability and ecological collapse by looking backward at the geological record. The recommendation was offered to listeners interested in environmental history and the scientific context surrounding large-scale ecological shifts. By connecting ancient mass extinctions to contemporary discussions about climate change, Meyer framed the publication as both a fascinating historical narrative and a sobering lens through which to view current environmental challenges, encouraging the audience to explore the deep roots of planetary transformation and recovery across millions of years.
Who recommended it
- Robinson Meyer Recommended
Robinson Meyer — 1 mention
“the first book is called the ends of the World by Peter Brannan at a book that's a history of mass extinctions the Earth's five mass extinctions”