The Green Heretic

Other than Stewart Brand, the U.S. doesn't have any well-known environmentalist writers who dare to challenge conventional green wisdom. I suppose The Death of Environmentalismauthors could qualify, but I consider them more wonky polemicists than writers. Andy Revkin might soon qualify, as he transitions from mainstream science reporter to environmental writer/teacher. In the UK, however, there is George Monbiot and Mark Lynas, each who have earned high-profile reputations as advocacy journalists. In recent years, both have made mea culpas on core green issues. With Monbiot, it's been nuclear power, which I've written about here and here. Lynas has undergone a similar transformation--perhaps even more so: He now embraces nuclear power and GMO's, positions he explains in his new book, The God Species: Saving the Planet in the Age of Humans. I recently interviewed Lynas for Yale Environment 360, which you can read here. He talks about the consequences of his turnabout on nuclear power ("I've lost friends"), the irrationality of some anti-nuclear activists ("these people are nuts"), the concerns about GMO's ("clearly overblown"), and a notorious pie-throwing incident ten years ago. Check out the full interview here.