The Great Acceleration: How Our Modern Lives Are Reshaping the Planet (And What We Can Do About It)

What Is the Great Acceleration?

Since the 1950s, nearly every measure of human activity—from population to plastic—has shot upward in a dramatic curve. This 'hockey stick' pattern is visible in carbon emissions, loss of wilderness, and resource extraction. Attenborough’s book uses vivid examples—like shrinking rainforests and swelling cities—to make the data personal.

Crossing the Line: Planetary Boundaries

Scientists warn that Earth has safe operating limits, or 'planetary boundaries.' Already, we’ve crossed four: climate, biodiversity, land use, and nitrogen cycles. Attenborough explains that overshooting these boundaries risks irreversible change—but also that we have the knowledge to pull back.

Solutions in Action

The book is not just a warning—it’s a guide. Renewable energy, circular economies, and smarter farming are already making a difference. Countries that invest in clean power and reforestation are seeing real benefits.

Your Role in the Great Turning

Every choice matters: what we eat, how we travel, what we support. Attenborough’s message is clear—if we act now, we can still write a hopeful future.

Conclusion: The Decade That Counts

The next ten years are crucial. By understanding the Great Acceleration and embracing solutions, we can help steer the planet toward stability and abundance.