Climate change has been quite an issue for the past... many years. We've all witnessed changes without consciously paying attention to it, even thoughClimate change has been quite an issue for the past... many years. We've all witnessed changes without consciously paying attention to it, even though human activity as part of the problem couldn't and can't be denied. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change () is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change and has set up seventeen Sustainable Development Goals. See and for France.
The anthology 'Nos Futurs' is based on an survey of 2018 by the French webzine . The objective was to choose 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for which scientists/experts and authors would join forces.
The book contains a foreword (about the book and the link between science and science fiction), a preface (about climate change, its effects, and the role of the IPCC), and a presentation of the various anthologists involved.
Zero famine in a context of climate change is a complex goal to achieve. There has been famine since the dawn of time, especially in underdeveloped countries/regions. The two scientists who contributed here provide a view on today's situation: the food chain, agriculture, and the need for fertile soils.
Raphaël Granier de Cassagnac takes us to Africa's Sahara region, where it's hard to grow crops, also due to an increasing population. Technology lets certain plants grow where they otherwise wouldn't. One is also encouraged to reconnect with nature, recognise the signs and not solely depend on technology (IT) to know how something works or should be handled. There is also a reference to one of his books, 'Thinking Eternity'.
This is basically about life on Earth and the code behind it, at least based on the reference of Erwin Schrödinger's book . Man is not alone on Earth, there's a plethora of other species, not to forget the various diseases, viruses, etc. How can we then create a healthy environment or lead a life beneficial to our well-being? How does climate change affect all of that? Where does mankind stand now? The text also mentions the corona pandemic of the past two years.
Claude Ecken takes us to the Haute-Loire region (France): the soil has dried up, crops have a hard time growing or providing a natural taste. Chemicals ruin the growth, the taste of the produce. Then a representative from a Monsanto-like company shows up, promising successful harvests by offering various modified grains and the soil that is needed to grow. She also travels to Siberia and the Middle East. This kind of messing with nature has serious/severe consequences, not only for the crops, but also for the people, as pathogens and other effects detrimental to one's health were not taken into consideration. This story reminded me a bit of Anne-Sophie Devriese's debut novel, 'Biotanistes', or Jean-Pierre Andrevon's 'Le Monde enfin'.
This SDG deal with the rights of particularly women, non-binary, and coloured people. In various societies, men still have more privileges. Discrimination is still running rampant in professional and private domains, hence the rise of many rights organisations. How do forests and oceans fit into that picture? Through deforestation and pollution. First, the current state of affairs, including the French physicist Joseph Fournier's observations in the 19th century that planetary warming is a result of the increase of greenhouse gases, caused by human activities since the start of the industrial revolution. This has been confirmed multiple times by the international scientific community. Next is a look at how to act upon those inequalities or how to improve those people's situation to tackle climate change more efficiently. One great cause mentioned here is the patriarchal system that has been dominant to this day.
The first part explains water and particularly the water molecule. An interesting approach, but when chemistry is not your cup of tea or you lack a basic understanding, this is a tough nut to crack, despite the man's efforts to explain it as clearly as possible. The second part, more accessible, deals with the types of water resources mankind has at its disposal. There are various places on Earth that contain and store water. What is water used for? Production of food, transport, cattle, beverages, agriculture, clothing, electricity, construction, etc. Of course, we "know" all that, yet we don't really realise this (any more), because we're preoccupied with other, more urgent matters. Still, all the more reason to be careful and grateful for this vital aspect of life.
05) Énergies fiables, durables et modernes, à un coût abordable / Levier: Énergie - Inexorable - HOME (Laurent Genefort)
'Inexorable' addresses the topic of fossil energies (petroleum, carbon, natural gas) and mankind's addiction to them. Earth's reserves are finite. Once the fossil resources are depleted, we will be forced to use renewable energies. The use of fossil energies contributes to a rising temperature and we'll reach the alert level of +2°C sooner rather than later if we don't alter our behaviour today. Rising temperatures lead to drought, rising sea levels, famine, migration, etc. Apparently, we've already burnt more fossil fuel than what Earth can currently provide. The carbon tax, issued in several countries, is supposedly one solution, but some economies (e.g. Chinese) are growing faster than before, need fossil energies to maintain the pace, while several industries (e.g. automotive) continue like before, despite the expensive and problematic transition into the electric era.
'HOME' tells about the dramatic effect of climate change: The equatorial region has turned into a desert, several animal species have gone extinct, and still some claim that the sixth extinction and the Anthropocene never happened. 'HOME' is a system that shows everyone's consumption, this kind of data is thus no longer private. Raising awareness no longer has any effect, the government decided to change approach and reward obedient civilians: if you repaired something, if you stayed at home, ... in short: if you used less, you could enjoy tax reductions or special services from service providers, for example. Those opposed to this system data collection and supervision, based on location and behaviour, would try to sabotage the system in any way possible to remain free.
The carbon card contains a number of carbon points to spend. Each individual (or family) would obtain a fixed carbon credit. Sweden has such a system (), ecology groups discuss the possibility and use of such a credit elsewhere. Such a card can encourage people to collectively reduce carbon output, each in his own way. Governments could use that data on a national level, ensure that agreements are respected, that temperature increase remains stable. Caution is needed: people are made accountable for their ecological actions by indicating the carbon weight of their purchases, the public transport they take, etc. However, governments must not ignore social (in)justice and inequalities, as not everyone has a high (enough) income or can afford certain products. Life is already expensive, let alone having to watch out for costly carbon points.
Population density of large cities, in this case Paris, and the impact of climate change. Large cities also mean not enough nature, higher temperatures (heatwaves) than in rural areas, not enough escape routes for heavy rainfall. As a consequence, there's a higher risk of sickness, businesses having to close because of inundations or economic changes, etc. Last but not least, a loss or lack of biodiversity: insects, plants, trees, ... thus, less nature than outside of these cities. This also affects one's mental health, which in turn leads to socio-economic problems, inequalities, civil wars, ... Therefore, solutions have to be found to reduce greenhouse gases, to prevent/reduce the impact of heatwaves, floods, lack of resources and not in the least, to recycle instead of to waste resources like water.
08) Consommation et production responsables / Levier: Industrie - Consommation et production responsables - Le monde d'Aubin (Jeanne-A Debats)
Responsible consumption and production, or finding ways to reconcile economic growth and sustainable development. In other words, energy and resources have to be used efficiently and rationally, do more and better with less via prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. Recycling of paper, glass, minerals, and other products has already led to less waste. Since the industrial revolution, there have also been many changes on a technological level: radio waves replacing the telegraph, optic fiber replacing copper cables, ... However, as our economic system demands a continuous increase, this shift towards a green(er) economy comes at a high price: a higher consumption of energy to fuel/propel the digital age, which also emits tons of CO2. How to balance efficiency and sobriety? Can we not use infrastructures, products for multiple purposes instead of having single-purpose products, buildings, etc.? It's all related: production/distribution of energy, transport networks, population and housing, ...
In 'Le monde d'Aubin' people live in caves again, forming clans (Chênes, Pixels, Ormes) too, as the world has gone bust. Women have reverted to producing children for the survival of any clan, but not every girl/woman wants to fulfill this role. The clans do use solar panels (on a plain called Solar Camp) to power the infirmary, the air conditioning, hydroculture, to name a few. They use a system called InfoZad, which I assume is a sort of as opposed to real life ('vraievie'). Or is InfoZad also a way to control/supervise the clans? Later on, robots and drones appear to play a crucial role. Honestly, I had a hard time reading/understanding this story, failing to see the link with the SDG. The specific vocabulary and very colloquial language/writing made it less accessible.
Stocking CO2 under the ground could be a solution to reducing the amount of CO2 in the air. Photosynthesis is CO2 absorbed from the atmosphere and replaced by oxygen. So too for oceans which store CO2 by dissolving it into the water or soils and agricultural lands containing humus and vegetable debris. Until the industrial revolution, there was a sort of balance between CO2 emitted and what trees, oceans and soils processed. Since then, the balance has shifted; not all CO2 can be processed any more by natural means, hence the CO2 sinks. This SDG looks at how to create such a sink, which already exist worldwide, how to keep CO2 underground, the consequences and risks of such a project.
'2030' is a diary of a geologist about his everyday work involving a CO2-storage project. It reads like fiction, explains the theme quite clearly. '2300' is told by the farmer's widow, about the risks and consequences of stocked CO2 without having any knowledge on the subject. This shows that even today, there are still many polluted zones we are(n't) aware of. They just aren't purified for a variety of reasons. Indeed, what with CO2 intoxication when you live on top of a CO2 sink?
Biodiversity consists of 1) the variety of species, 2) diversity between species, 3) diversity between ecosystems. The researchers explain how mankind has indeed affected/influenced (not in a good way) the amount of biodiversity (fauna and flora) the past decades and centuries. As this is related to other SDG's, the researchers tried to tie their essay in with the others. Main question here too: How to restore the balance between humans and non-humans? As an ethical obligation in the first place.
'Sanctuaires' is a story where a young teenage couple travels to one of the sanctuaries in a dried-up France. Everyone has an implanted chip for tracking, payments, communication, and more. Except those in the sanctuary, who have been cut off from the Internet and modern civilisation for several decades. They used the principles of capitalism against the modern world: repurchase lands to let wildlife come back again and flourish, causing political and agricultural uproar, as these lands could not be farmed or exploited. It allowed for our teens to see species again that hadn't been seen in the rest of France (and the world) for many decades. In short, another story showing we need nature more than nature needs humans.
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Non-fiction doesn't read like fiction and vice versa. Each contributor is skilled at what (s)he does best, though some of the writers do have a scientific background. Applying their writing skills can thus help to address certain themes in a way that is understandable for the layman, because not each scientist is apt at explaining the issue at hand in a 'simple' manner. Hence certain texts requiring a basic understanding of biology, physics, or another subject. Or simply read the respective stories for a more accessible, alternative explanation of the various Sustainable Development Goals.
'Nos Futurs' is a unique and important document on climate change and related issues, not only in this day and age, but for years to come.
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I was sent this book by Éditions ActuSF for review. Many thanks to them for the trust....more
The 'Johannes Cabal' series counts five volumes, next to some short(er) stories that are set before or in-between those novels. Two of those are freelThe 'Johannes Cabal' series counts five volumes, next to some short(er) stories that are set before or in-between those novels. Two of those are freely available on Reactormag.com (formerly known as Tor.com):
The series - all novels can be read independently, yet apparently contain small references to previous novels - revolves around a character named Johannes Cabal, a necromancer who looks for a means to make a living, but is never fully successful as such. His interventions, in all layers of life, not in the least the higher ones, are successful at first, but never for long or not long enough for his employers to understand they've been fooled. Like MacGyver, the A-Team, Rincewind (one of Terry Pratchett's famous characters), perhaps even Cugel (one of Jack Vance's characters), Johannes Cabal always manages to escape before justice is done. Sly, cunning, mischievous.
In this second volume, 'The Detective', Cabal's services are demanded to resuscitate a king, who's to hold his last speech in the context of a brewing war between two nations. The speech is to appease the population, which is worried about their king's health. Potential rows are looming around the corner. Cabal is thus summoned to prevent such outbreaks and help restore the peace. Prior to that, however, he was arrested for "stealing" a precious book from the library of Krentz University, decided to borrow it for an "undefined" period of time, had "asked" for the book during a holiday, even. So yes, the first pages clearly present the case with some refined humour.
While Cabal works in an unorthodox manner, his intervention to resuscitate the king is a success. At first. It doesn't take too long before the revived king's speech turns into incomprehensible babbling, as his second ending draws near. Meanwhile, Cabal, fearing the consequences, can flee to safer grounds, after having first fought the marshal and lieutenant when they discovered the fraud actually Cabal is.
Cabal manages to take on another identity, thanks to his cunning way of deceiving a travelling civil servant and taking his possessions for the flight on a special kind of aeroplane. A Zeppelin, as the French edition's cover neatly shows. Not just a regular Zeppelin, no, one with a particular design that shows similarities with the Titanic:
* no lifeboats (the Titanic had some, but not enough for everyone) * special extending cockpits on either side for passengers to enjoy the view * each type of passenger having his own compartment on the ship, in that rich, less rich, and crew are clearly separated from each other * ...
Not only does the airship have a particular design, so have the aeroplanes. Let it be known that Mr Cabal will try to find out about the ship's structure and characteristics, especially if and when it's advantageous to him.
Our necromancer-turned-civil-servant thus has to act accordingly to keep his cover intact and escape the Mirkarvian marshal, after the king's second passing. Trying to blend in as well as possible, Cabal meets various kinds of people, each of high standing or of influence. Some under influence, but that's a different matter. Cabal himself isn't the most extraverted man and will try his best to not put his person in the spotlights. Not directly anyway. A bright mind, but socialising is not his thing. And yet, that's exactly what he has to do on the ship.
At some point, Cabal is involved (indirectly) in a strange case: The designer of the airship had disappeared in mysterious ways. In addition, the man's room was locked and no one could get in. Cabal wouldn't be Cabal if he didn't (or wasn't supposed to) act his new role: detective. Who else, considering the other characters, would be able or wanting to address the problem? Like a true Hercule Poirot or Columbo, Cabal's attention for detail would help him uncover the mystery of the ship's designer's disappearance, as Cabal himself would also be on the list of "unwanted" people.
Almost like a game of Cluedo, the potential criminals would be reduced to a pretty short list. The investigation would even involve the captain who - to me - seemed not all too eager to truly wanting to solve the puzzle. Of course, said disappearance and the attack on Cabal's life would be part of a grand scheme regarding the ship's cargo: vegetables; officially, though. And the voyage would lead them through the airspace of the somewhat hostile country of Senza. Murder, politics, ... it's all there and a classic recipe for a great mystery novel. And a Cabal freed from this mess.
Inline with the European (and yet not European) setting, Jonathan Howard added some French and German words or expressions in the dialogues, which brings them more to life this way.
Yannick Chazareng has a few guides up his sleeve so far: * Le Guide Stephen King * Le Guide Tolkien * Tout Terry Pratchett (reviewed in 2024), not reallYannick Chazareng has a few guides up his sleeve so far: * Le Guide Stephen King * Le Guide Tolkien * Tout Terry Pratchett (reviewed in 2024), not really presented as such, though I believe it was supposed to be a 'Guide' back in 2023, until ActuSF went bankrupt. Hence this more regular format and edition, whereas the 'Guides' are smaller, pocket-size.
'Le Guide Tolkien' was originally published in 2022, but was apparently done in a hasty way. For this reissue (2025), some revisions and updates were of the essence.
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien aka J.R.R. Tolkien needs no introduction any more, does he? The man and his works have been presented, promoted, etc. for many decades and continue to be referenced in Best Of lists, in reviews, in documentaries, and more. There have been tons of essays, guides, documentaries, ... published on him and his bibliography.
Most famous works are 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings', without forgetting a plethora of other words about Middle-Earth and its peoples, like 'The Silmarillion'. Truth be told, I still haven't read anything by or about J.R.R. Tolkien or his works, even if 'LotR' and 'The Silmarillion' are on my TBR-pile, as is 'Characters From Tolkien: A Bestiary' by David Day. But I'll try to amend that a.s.a.p.
There is a lot of information about Tolkien, about his works, out there. Online and on paper. So much even that one can fill many houses with it. A guide like this one is then one possible gateway into the extensive world of Tolkien: his life, his legacy, his influences, his writings, the films, the video games, and more.
As you might imagine, a guide like this takes a kind of chronological order, starting with some biographical information on the professor. His life as a child, as a teenager, as an adult, as a father, ... Where he lived, how he was brought up, which studies he followed, how he came to be writer. Not only that, but also how his works, not in the least 'The Hobbit' and 'Lord of the Rings', came to life.
No guide without mentioning and presenting his best-known works, complemented by many of his other, non-LOTR, writings. J.R.R. Tolkien has written a lot, yet not everything was perhaps good for publication or as good as the books that keep being reissued. As good as everything was given a moment in the spotlights. As has been known, his son, Christopher Tolkien, invested a lot of time and effort to make sure that the world would know what his father had produced during his lifetime and what didn't or couldn't see the light of day while J.R.R. Tolkien himself was still alive. Especially 'The Silmarillion' would but come out after Christopher and one Canadian author by the name of Guy Gavriel Kay joined forces on this project. Kay would later write 'The Fionavar Tapestry', a trilogy quite influenced by 'Lord of the Rings'. It's mainly his historical fantasy ('Tigana', 'The Lions of Al-Rassan', 'The Sarantine Mosaic', and more - all very much recommended) that would catapult him into stardom.
Books would not be internationally promoted and made available to every interested reader if it weren't for translators, experts, illustrators, and so on. Like in ActuSF's other author guides, there was room for a few interviews with people who have published, illustrated, translated or written articles on Tolkien's work over the years. Here they give account of how they got in touch with Tolkien's works, be it as a reader or for professional reasons, and how which impact this had on their respective lives and professions:
Too bad no interview with e.g. Christopher Priest or perhaps Guy Gavriel Kay found its way into this guide. Or maybe no such authorisation was given.
Tolkien's works have also been adapted to the screen, the three films of 'The Hobbit' and 'Lord of the Rings' have shown. Then again, Peter Jackson was not the only or the first director to adapt these works to the screen. Already in the 1970's and 1980's, both books were converted to film. Smaller-scale projects have also existed, for short-films or animated films, in e.g. Russia and Finland.
Next to books and films, one can also find Tolkien in video games, table-top games, card games, etc. And even toys, when it comes to merchandise. Last but not least, various musical artists have written songs about Tolkien's works; especially in the world of metal, fantasy (and Tolkien's works) is a very popular subject and theme.
J.R.R. Tolkien is often credited as the founder of the fantasy genre, but in a particular chapter, Mr Chazareng dove into the past to prove that fantasy had been in existence long before Tolkien and long before the fantasy we've known since Tolkien. Be aware that your TBR-pile might grow a bit more after having seen the various references, old or less old, in this chapter and at the end, the list of consulted works.
This little guide closes off with a large glossary of various Tolkien-related terms, each with its explanation of its meaning and where it's used. For those interested in international versions, there's a large, comparative table with the various titles.
'Le Guide Tolkien' is aimed at a general public (mainly French-speaking, though), should however also please those already familiar with Tolkien's works, because of the large amount of information packed in this little book. The focus does lie on the man's life and books, as the adaptations (TV, films, games, ...) are more of an extra when comparing the pages. However, one does not simply read such a guide from beginning to end, but takes out or consults the chapters of one's interest at a given moment. Like the other guides, a recommended document that allows for a interesting visit into the world of Tolkien, from where one can travel further in the search of more specialised documents or adaptations, if so desired.
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I was sent this book by Éditions ActuSF for review. Many thanks to them for the trust....more
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