Thomas L.

Friedman
Hot, Flat and Crowded

Line of thought of book

Structuring and sequencing of writing

Relevance of the book to the field of knowledge

How it can be used for teaching learning process

Learning for life and knowledge you get from this book 5 examples

Line of thought:
In the present book, Thomas L. Friedman has presented his views on global warming and
globalisation. Globalisation has changed the way of living of people all over the world.
Now a family in America may have many items which are produced in China or any such
country which has an active manufacturing sector. This has caused a demand and supply
surplus of goods and services which may or may not be essential.He quotes the example
that now another coffee shops is launched in an area which is already having a coffee
shop, not because of the need but only because resources are there. This materialistic
attitude has caused many problems in economy and environment as happened in the
market meltdown of 2008/2009 which resulted in crashing of the economy. Similarly he
gives the global warming example, that in their greed for materialistic things man is using
the resources and the system of the Earth are being used far beyond its normal capacity
and if the IBG/YBG attitude continues, nothing will be left with the future generations.
He gives solutions in terms of reduction in overuse of present resources for revival of
American economy by switching to sustainable solutions like many European countries
are adopting.
The title Hot, flat and crowded is a term which aptly represents the situation of American
economy today. But it is also represents the world economy. Hot represents the global
warming situation in terms of rising temperature of Earths surface. Flat representing an
emerging middle class in world with their increasing aspirations and more demand for
goods which will further increase use of resources increasing the hotness of Earth.
Crowded signifies the increasing number of people on Earth which again implies the
above mentioned consequences and the circle goes on and on. However, he mentions

some drastic steps (Code green which implies green energy solutions instead of code red)
which may be taken by the American economy by putting aside its greed and to become
world leader again.
Structuring and sequencing of writing:
Thomas Friedman has structured the book into five parts. Part I When the market and
mother nature hit the wall explains the American meltdown and recession which not only
effected the American economy but whole world it is because now the whole world is
linked by globalisation. As a small stone in the water creates a ripple effect and disturbs
the calm surface similarly the recession affected the economy all around the world.
However, this commotion is not limited to economy only but the environment is also
becoming unstable. In part II Where we are explains the hot, flat and crowded situation
of the world and how we reached here. All these terms though have different implications
but in a way are related to each other and is result of countries consumerisms which
Friedman has termed as Affluenza which rhymes with Influenza, implying a infectious
disease spreading in humans as well as in countries.
In Part III, How we move forward he gives solution for solving the problem of global
warming. However, it is not as easy as 205 ways to save the Earth sounds as the
solution required not only change in industries or economies but whole approach needs to
be changed. To get effective results, time, patience and consistence is required on part of
governments.In Part IV, he talks about Chinese situation in regard to its increasing
population and pollution. For many years, Chinese in their attempt to develop its
economy has polluted its rivers and its air. However, author notes that now, Chinese have
become aware and are using clean tech industries. They have recognized their problems
in terms of environmental degradation and wants to work on that but the biggest problem
that they are facing, as spoken by Mayor Xia of Dalian, is to balance economic growth
with the energy need and environment. In part V, author talks about America and the
efforts required on part of its government and its people to become Green America.
However, he believes that unlike Chinese government, American government is in no
urgency to solve its environmental issues.
Relevance of the book to the field of knowledge:
The book is relevant in the field of knowledge as it gives anaccurate account about the
present conditions of the world economies and the necessity to become more green and

clean.In the race to become developed, industrialised and technologically advanced,

government of various countries of the world have not taken into consideration the
environmental impacts of their actions. However, now the situation is such that if major
changes are not made and if the nations continues their same old manner the conditions
will worsen. The book gives a fresh outlook on globalisation, which may be beneficial in
some ways but the impact which it has created on environment degradation cannot be
ignored. The author, being an American, believes that America being a leading nation in
terms of its economy should also set an example by leading in the endeavour by adopting
green practices. However, he is saddened by the ignorance and negligence on part of the
government by saying that if America would become China for one day.
How it can be used for teaching learning process:
Teaching and learning is an ongoing process and it requires to update the knowledge bank
and spread the gained knowledge to get further inputs and outputs. The author quotes
many real examples to say his point and these examples are a great knowledge bank
which can be used for teaching learning process. The book confronts a bigger problem
which cannot be solved on part of one nation, one institution or one individual. Though
he stresses on America to lead in this problem of Hot, Flat and Crowded Earth, but it is
now the responsibility of all the nations to work on this issue collectively. However, the
issue raised by the author is very relevant and the popularity of the book demonstrates
that this is the issue on which the countries should pay their attention.
Learning for life and knowledge you get from this book 5 examples
The special point of the present book is that to make his point, the author has given many
example. All the examples are relevant and explains the situation very aptly. However,
few examples which can be mentioned here are:
1. Denmark - Denmark is a small European country, after 1973 decided to decrease the
use of oil resources and concentrate more the green energy resources. They decided
against use of nuclear resources and also imposed many taxes and adopted many
policies. It can be thought that the country will be nowhere in terms of economic
growth and development. However, this is not the present case, this practice had a
very positive impact upon the economy of the country. Many jobs were created,
countrys dependence on oil decreased and so does its foreign imports for the same
and now the country is better in terms of its economy as well as its environment.

2. Green House effect, CO2 emissions and its impact The author gives many examples
of implication of Hot world that how this is causing many environmental problems
like hurricanes, wild fires, tornadoes, etc. Reports show that a minor increase in the
temperature of Earth may have huge implications like loss of biodiversity, weather
anomaly situations in various parts of world.
3. The concept of crowding with the example of Egypt On Cairo-Alexandria highway,
a Lebanese entrepreneur has brought some property to establish his business of olive
farms in 1991. In those time, there was no built up region in that area. In 2008, the
area isnow surrounded by gated communities/societies and many modern amenities
and infrastructure like golf courses has developed in those areas. Golf courses
requires a lot of water resources for its maintained. However, this type of
establishment in not suitable for a region which is having a desert physiography. As a
result now the area is witnessing a lowering in its water table.
4. Energy poverty The author talks about the lack of electricity/energy resources in
many developing countries of the world. These countries are affected by the
misgovernance and various other problems like indoor pollution, diseases, drought
conditions etc. But he says that all these issues are an impact of energy poverty in
these countries. He gives example of shortage of energy and skill in case of education,
shortage of doctors, medicines and energy to run medical equipment, unemployment
problem because of shortage of energy to keep factories running etc. This is
increasing the gap between the developing and developed nations.
5. Example of China: China has a problem of increasing population and pollution. The
Yangtze river of Chine is now heavily polluted. The air which the people of Chine
breathe is laden with smoke and pollution from its industries and burning of farm
fields after harvesting. For China, the initiative for cleaner environment will be taken
after it becomes a rich economy. Unlike the western economies Chinese does not have
this advantage of Grow now and clean up later. However, in 2006, a report on
climate change made them realize that if they donot change now the development
may not be possible for them as the report revealed the shrinking of Glaciers, rise in
temperature, shrinking of Chinese rivers. With this realisation, Chinese government
made many policies like 2006 renewable energy mandate, rule on power plants to use
renewable energy resources etc. and this has caused a positive change inthe
environmental quality in the country. However, the years of environmental

degradation cannot be changed in few years but nowthe country is on the path of
renewal.