In her powerful new book, space shuttle and ISS astronaut Nicole Stott actually tells three stories.
The first, and most compelling, is an inspiring environmental manifesto based on her experiences in orbit. Seeing the Earth from a distance, such as the Apollo 8 crew viewing Earthrise, changes one’s perspective. This “overview effect,” as described by Frank White, has affected in one way or another virtually all the now 600 people who have flown in space.
Stott succinctly summarizes her takeaway lessons from the experience: “I want everyone to benefit from the three simple lessons we learn from spaceflight: we live on a planet, we are all Earthlings, and the only border that matters is the thin blue line of atmosphere that protects us all.”
She calls on all of us to act responsibly, both individually and collectively to improve the environment by actions reducing carbon emissions to prevent global warming, to saving species ranging from coral to insects from extinction, and to live our lives with a new consciousness about environmental protection. This call to action is based on the lessons she learned from living aboard ISS for six months.
“We can take the ISS motto, “Off the Earth, For the Earth,” and bring it back to Earth. We can see ourselves for who we truly are: Earthlings. Earthlings who share a planet spinning in space and the ability to bring new life and hope to our shared future.”
Some of her chapter headings are pithy words of advice—Act like everything is local (because it is). Respect the thin blue line. Live like crew, not like a passenger. Never underestimate the importance of bugs. Go slow to go fast. Stay grounded. Whatever you do, make life better.
With the immensity of problems like global warming, air and water pollution, and poverty, it is tempting to throw up one’s hands and submit to pessimism. However, Nicole is an optimist, and she affirms that one person can make a difference. She demonstrates this by having interviewed a dozen people who by their activities have made major contributions to saving the Earth.
The second story that Stott tells is a primer on the environmental challenges we face. She summarizes the science of environmental challenges such as the destruction of coral reefs, the extinction of species such as important insects, global warming, air pollution, loss of the ozone layer, insufficient clean drinking water. This part of the book is carefully researched and clearly written
The final story in the book is Nicole’s biography. She describes becoming a pilot at a young age, her time as an engineer at the Kennedy Space Center, her selection and training as an astronaut, her three shuttle missions (STS-128, 129, and 133) and her stay aboard ISS as part of Expedition 20 and 21. She tells of her art in space and her charitable work with the Space for Art Foundation. Part of the foundation’s work has involved pediatric cancer patients producing patches for space suits.
The biography sections are brief, leaving open questions. For example, her father died in an accident while piloting a small airplane when she was 16. Surely the loss of a father had a major effect on a teenage girl, yet she kept flying herself to the point where she became an instrument rated pilot. More than just a few sentences are warranted about this tragedy. I would also like to have learned more about her husband—what was his occupation, how did he react to the long absences involved in astronaut training, how did he manage to raise their son as a solo parent when Nicole was in space for months?
Stott chose to intersperse these three stories (biography, environmental science, and a call to action) in each chapter. This leads to some awkward forced transitions, such as combining her training with the “Bugs” class of astronauts with the extinction of bug species. I would have organized the book differently (biography, then the environmental primer, then the call to arms).
These suggestions do not take away from the brilliance of this book. I enjoyed her scientifically based description of the environmental crisis. It was concise, clear, and wonderfully populated by examples from nature, as well as individuals who have made a difference. I was moved by Nicole’s optimism, by her suggestions for collective and individual actions, and by her cosmic perspective. She took advantage of her space missions to help direct all of us who have not had the opportunity to go beyond the thin blue line.
Recommended!
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Top reviews from other countries
kj panicker
The book is good but..
Reviewed in India on October 18, 2023
kj panicker
Reviewed in India on October 18, 2023
But, I received a book which was tore at the bottom corner. This made the book an ugly look.
Again, the book would have been excellent, if the photos were in colour! The B&W photos are not impressive!😪
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Jack D.
A great and inspirational speech
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2022