Power traces how humans have come to overpower the earth's natural systems and to oppress one another, with catastrophic consequences. We must rapidly re-learn the lessons of power self-limitation rooted in evolution and human history if we are to stave off ecological and social collapse and enjoy a thriving future.

POWER — why giving it up might just save us.

A rich, moving, and necessary treatise from our most accomplished, coherent, and compassionate thinker on sustainable futures.
— Douglas Rushkoff, author, Present Shock and Team Human Impeccably researched and masterfully written, this book explains how and why humanity is driving itself off the cliff.
— Dahr Jamail, author, The End of Ice

This is the story of power — humanity's power over nature and the power of some people over others.

How has Homo sapiens become powerful enough to threaten a mass extinction and disrupt the Earth's climate? Why have we developed so many ways of oppressing one another? Can we change our relationship with power to avert ecological catastrophe, reduce social inequality, and stave off collapse? These questions — and their answers — will determine our fate.

Power traces how four key elements developed to give humans extraordinary power: tool making ability, language, social complexity, and the ability to harness energy sources — most significantly, fossil fuels. It asks whether we have, at this point, overpowered natural and social systems, and if we have, what we can do about it.

Most crucially, the book explores how self-limitation of power is rooted in evolution and human history and why, at this vital moment, we must rapidly relearn the lessons of power if humanity is to have a thriving future.

Power reminds us that Richard Heinberg is one of the most important public intellectuals in the conversation about society's future.
— Chuck Collins, author, The Wealth Hoarders Heinberg's panoramic review of known forms of power is both sobering and inspiring.
— Joanna Macy, author, World As Lover, World As Self

Richard Heinberg is the author of thirteen previous books, including The Party's Over, Powerdown, Peak Everything, and The End of Growth. He is Senior Fellow of the Post Carbon Institute and is widely regarded as one of the world's most effective communi- cators of the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. He lives in Santa Rosa, CA.

Impeccably researched and masterfully written, this book explains how and why humanity is driving itself off the cliff. — Dahr Jamail, author, The End of Ice

Weaving together findings from a wide range of disciplines, Power traces how four key elements developed to give humans extraordinary power: tool making ability, language, social complexity, and the ability to harness energy sources ― most significantly, fossil fuels. It asks whether we have, at this point, overpowered natural and social systems, and if we have, what we can do about it.

Has Homo sapiens — one species among millions — become powerful enough to threaten a mass extinction and disrupt the Earth's climate? Why have we developed so many ways of oppressing one another? Can we change our relationship with power to avert ecological catastrophe, reduce social inequality, and stave off collapse?

These questions — and their answers — will determine our fate.