Elizabeth Kolbert To Discuss "Field Notes from a Catastrophe"

Sponsored by Friends of the Larchmont Library, April 2

by Jane Nishimura

(March 30, 2006) Elizabeth Kolbert - Larchmont native, regular contributor to the New Yorker and author - will be back in town to discuss her latest book, Field Notes from a Catastrophe, on Sunday, April 2, 4:00 pm at the Larchmont Public Library.

The author, known as Betsy when she was editor of the GLOBE at Mamaroneck High School (class of 1979), began her professional writing career when she was traveling as a Fulbright Fellow in Europe. An article on eel soup was accepted by the New York Times, reported her mother, Marlene Kolbert. Back in the US, she was hired as a news clerk at the NY Times, then moved up the ladder until she had her own column on the Metro Section front page. From there, she went to writing for the New Yorker magazine, where she is a regular contributor on a diverse list of topics, most recently on the environment and global warming.

Field Notes from a Catastrophe emerged from her series of articles on climate change, written for the New Yorker in the spring of 2005. The book presents a precise and measured account of global climate change and, as Ms. Kolbert explained in a recent interview with the New Yorker's Amy Davidson, was written to "convey, as vividly as possible, the reality of global warming." The book sets forth the scientific data by presenting the work of the scientists at the forefront of this issue.

Ms. Kolbert said she hopes her book will be read by "not only those who follow the latest news about the climate but also those who prefer to skip over it." The book is aimed at closing the "gap between the scientific community and the lay community's opinions on global warming." As she explained to Ms. Davidson, she spoke to many "very sober-minded, coolly analytical scientists who, in essence, warned of the end of the world as we know it."

The case is made in her sobering book that we can no longer afford "business as usual" and changes must be made now to reduce carbon emissions. Though scientists have been warning about global warming for more than twenty-five years, the world has increased energy usage and production of greenhouse gases. Ms. Kolbert writes affectingly about the US failure to ratify the Kyoto protocol on climate change.

Though Field Notes from a Catastrophe is a frightening look at the global future, it is also a call to action and to act responsibly in our society and in our own lives. One of her chapters praises Burlington Vermont's energy-saving campaign and lets it serve as a possible model for others.

Writing the book appears to have influenced the author and her family. Marlene Kolbert reported that Betsy and her husband, John Kleiner (another Larchmont native), are putting solar panels on their house in Williamstown, Massachusetts and they have just ordered a Prius, the hybrid automobile known for its low emissions and exceptional fuel economy. "Following Betsy’s work has inspired me to look at the possibility of making Larchmont a 'greener' Village,” said the elder Ms. Kolbert, a Village of Larchmont trustee.

The book discussion is sponsored by the Friends of Larchmont Library, which encourages everyone to come to this program to learn the facts about global climate change. There will be refreshments at 3:30 pm and the discussion at 4:00 pm.

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