We have already so altered the air, ozone, water and soil that "nature," as an idea, process, or place no longer exists. Instead of "nature," what we have now is a man-made creation, process, place and it is already too far along to stop. The most we can hope for is to slow it down and, far into the future, diminish its effects. There is no fair or easy way to do this. World-wide cultural values regarding comfort, status, economics, progress, family, religion -- everything -- must change. An immediate paradigm shift in human thought, values and action is necessary. But unlikely.
This is a despairing book. And much of what it predicted twenty years ago has come true.
Deep Economy, which came out in 2007 (and which I read in 2009) is a much more hopeful book because McKibben finds evidence of the paradigm shift he called for in The End of Nature. Maybe I'm cynical, but I think that Deep Economy is too optimistic, too eager to grasp for straws in face of a flood.
I do, though, recommend both books. They are thoroughly-researched, carefully constructed and well-written. I intend to read Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet.
--Katherine
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