Being A Mindful Sceptic
“Question everything" sounds wise until you're the person asking uncomfortable questions about renewable energy efficiency or conservation success rates. Then you're labelled a "denier" by activists and a "tree-hugger" by sceptics. There's a third path—and it requires intellectual courage.
Most environmental discourse operates on emotion and ideology. But what if you could navigate complexity without getting trapped in false binaries?
Being a Mindful Sceptic reveals the three-part analytical framework that lets you:
Question wisely… to identify which assumptions deserve scrutiny (and which don't)
Think clearly… to evaluate evidence while acknowledging genuine uncertainty
Act decisively… to transform insight into meaningful action despite incomplete information
This isn't cynicism disguised as wisdom. It's the methodical approach that distinguishes thoughtful professionals from both naive optimists and reflexive contrarians.
Why An Ecologist Wrote a Book About Scepticism
Mark Dangerfield spent decades in the field—literally.
From counting soil animals in remote locations to advising governments on carbon and conservation policy, he's witnessed the gap between environmental rhetoric and ecological reality.
"I've seen conservation projects fail spectacularly because no one asked the hard questions early. I've also seen brilliant solutions dismissed because they didn't fit the preferred narrative. The problem isn't too much scepticism or too little—it's the wrong kind."
Academic Foundation… PhD in Ecology, over 80 peer-reviewed research papers, entrepreneur, 15 years as a science advisor and consultant
Real-World Application… Conservation and carbon policy advisor, environmental consulting, hands-on ecosystem assessment
Intellectual Courage… Willing to challenge both corporate greenwashing and conservation orthodoxy with evidence
What You'll Discover Inside
Why the "precautionary principle" often prevents the very caution it promises (Chapter 3)
The Victorian gentleman scientist approach to evaluating competing claims (Chapter 5)
How to spot the difference between legitimate uncertainty and manufactured doubt (Chapter 7)
The analytical tools environmental economists use to cut through complexity (Chapter 9)
"This isn't about becoming more negative—it's about becoming more precise."
Your Intellectual Ammunition for Environmental Discussions
After reading this book, you'll know how to be the person who:
Asks the questions others are afraid to ask
Provides evidence-based perspective in polarised debates
Maintains credibility with both sceptics and advocates
Offers frameworks instead of just opinions
Format… 190 pages, available in digital and print
Reading Time… 2-3 hours (but you'll reference it for years)
Who This Book Is For
Professionals who want to sharpen their insight, not follow a script
Thoughtful contrarians who are tired of being called “negative” for asking better questions
Readers who find joy in rethinking assumptions, even uncomfortable ones
If that’s you, welcome. This book was written for you.
Ready to Read?
“A breath of fresh intellectual air in a room full of noise.” – Reader review
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