"... almost all of us have agreed that climate change, in Tony Blair's words, is 'the single most important issue that we face as a global community'. We have also agreed to do nothing about it." (page ix)
Monbiot is an incredible person... highly educated... exceptionally intelligent... no nonsense... and committed to keeping the world a place worth living in. He has tackled big business, governments and military machines. And now he turns his incredible mind to global warming.
Typically Monbiot, this book is well-thought out, well-researched, and well-written. Needed in the often hysterical and emotional discussion around how well our planet is. In his usual hard-hitting style, this book will leave you feeling decidedly unwell.
Simply put, the world must reduce carbon emmissions by 90% by 2030, or climate change will be unmanageable, and will change the planet we live on irrevocably. He tackles individuals, questioning the amount of power our houses waste (all coal-based), wasting electricity, the amount of climate damage we are doing with our cars, and our need to fly carbon-spewing jetliners across the globe. He questions big business's need to be physically "big", and the way they do business. He discusses alternative forms of energy, as well as the world-wide business of trading carbon-offsets. Simply put... cut our lifestyles... or continue to kill our planet.
I found this book fascinating... frightening... challenging... really made me question just how committed I am to saving our planet. Phew!
Buy it... borrow it... beg for it... but read it!
"But my main objection is this: that in order to deliver a carbon cut of the size I have discussed, everyone will have to limit their emmissions, either today, or, in the poorer nations, in the future. There is no choice to be made about whether to abstain from flying or to help poorer people buy better light bulbs. We must abstain from flying and help poorer people buy better lightbulbs. Buying and selling carbon offsets is like pushing the food around on your plate to create the impression that you have eaten it." (page 212).
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