T. Boone On T. Frieda/ian

摘要

The "hot" part of the title refers to global warming. Friedman lays out the arguments on both sides of the "is it or isn't it caused by humans?" issue and then demonstrates that it is. The "flat" section follows the stunning rise of the middle class in countries like Brazil, Russia, India, and China that are demanding U.S. lifestyles and using resources and energy in nearly U.S. quantities to get them. As for "crowded," people are living longer, so the need for food, fuel, and housing is adding to the world's problems at an increasing rate. Friedman points out that 30 percent of U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions come from the transportation sector and that of the 21 million barrels of oil we consume per day, about 14 million go to cars, trucks, planes, buses, and trains.