Who Owns the Wind?

David Hughes is doing some of the most innovative thinking and writing about energydemocracy in the world. The movements for climate justice are in his debt. -Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything No task is more crucial than building out renewable energy around the world--but it can'thappen at the speed it must unless communities embrace windmills and solar panels. And as thisfrank, straightforward and clarifying book makes clear that will happen only if and when wehave a real stake in these assets. The author's proposals are ambitious but also modest andlogical, and they are deeply grounded in real life observation--this is a book to be reckonedwith. -Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature Who Owns the Wind? shows that we will win fossil fuel abolition only if we succeed intransforming renewable power into a common resource, one that tangibly benefits andenfranchises the communities where turbines and other infrastructure is located. Hughes's bookshould be required reading for all energy democracy advocates and environmental justiceactivists. -Ashley Dawson, author of Extreme Cities David Hughes it doing some of the most innovative thinking and writing about energy democracy in the world. The movements for climate justice are in his debt. --Naomi Klein How do we conjure hope in these times of climate breakdown? In Who Owns the Wind? David McDermott Hughes shows that a climate-stabilizing energy revolution must socialize renewables so that wind power comes to be equated with social justice rather than private gain. McDermott Hughes takes readers to a small town in Spain where wind is abundant, and where citizens rose up against privately-owned, corporate wind power, stymieing energy transition. To head off such resistance, McDermott Hughes advocates for a 'socialism of the wind.' Who Owns the Wind? shows that we will win fossil fuel abolition only if we succeed in transforming renewable power into a common resource, one that tangibly benefits and enfranchises the communities where turbines and other infrastructure is located. McDermott Hughes's book should be required reading for all energy democracy advocates and environmental justice activists. --Ashley Dawson No task is more crucial than building out renewable energy around the world--but it can't happen at the speed it must unless communities embrace windmills and solar panels. And as this frank, straightforward and clarifying book makes clear, that will happen if and when we have a real stake in these assets. The author's proposals are ambitious but also modest and logical, and they are deeply grounded in real life observation--this is a book to be reckoned with. --Bill McKibben, author The End of Nature David Hughes provides a nuanced and complex assessment of the perils and promises of developing renewable energy. Who Owns the Wind? is a joy to read, connecting large scale global forces with the lives and stories of individuals. This is a work full of insight, critical analysis, and even a modicum of hope. --Richard York