In announcing this new book, the Metropolis blog wrote, "For those of us who are weary of (but keep reading, because we must) the books about climate change, ecosystem catastrophes, toxins in us and our world, the poisoning of the oceans, and each new “idea” our species has with known and unknown consequences that cannot be undone (think fracking), The Shape of Green is a positive thesis. It might even inspire hope in the most pessimistic readers."