I've come to think that the purpose of part 1 of the book is part rhetorical device (ethos). David Lipsky is using it to build up some credibility as a writer. He's covering topics that many are likely somewhat knowledgeable about, but is adding some additional color, details, and information which most surely don't know. This has the effect of showing the depths to which he's researched the topics to be able to weave them into such a story.

This will tend to pay off as he begins addressing the potentially more contentious (for some) material in the climate crisis section.

https://www.theparrotandtheigloo.com/

The endnotes missing from the book.