Our planet, the only one we have, has been around for 4.54 billion years (4,540,000,000,000 years). The very first proto-humans emerged around 2,000,0Our planet, the only one we have, has been around for 4.54 billion years (4,540,000,000,000 years). The very first proto-humans emerged around 2,000,000 years ago, and human civilisation (such as it is) has been around for under 6,000 years. Only for 0.0001% of the history of the Earth have modern humans been around. And look what we’ve achieved in that tiny, infinitesimal moment of our existence. Nature, modified by extra-planetary events including the varying power of the Sun, collisions with asteroids both large and small, has managed to create a sustainable world on which we have thrived. Until now. Humans are the only known life form that has managed to negatively alter the environment in which we, and all other life, currently exist. This book examines, in forensic detail, the history of our world. The author explains what changes have occurred during the formation and gradual settlement of our home to bring it to its current state of relative equilibrium. We, however, during the very short period since we began to industrialize our planet, have introduced such a state of instability that we now occupy a space that may very soon become impossible to live in for some plants and animals, and where large portions of our world may soon be uninhabitable for the human race. Michael Mann explains how we have come to this, how our influence has created what is elsewhere described as our climate emergency. But, as a scientist, he avoids the emotional aspects of predictions designed to cause panic and even a sense of defeatism by some people. He describes how it is neither too late to make the necessary changes nor inevitable that we destroy ourselves along with many thousands of other life forms. It is not an easy read, but it is fascinating and illuminating. I suggest you arm yourself with a small pad and a pen to list the many acronyms in full form. Michael Mann explains the full terms when initially introduced, but I confess I lost track of some of the full terms whilst reading. This is a book based entirely in science. It avoids opinion, both pessimistic and optimistic, instead delivering a neutral picture devoid of nightmare or complacency. There is no doubt some readers will find aspects of this extraordinary book difficult. Some will be tempted to skip certain passages. But if all readers fully read the final chapter, which provides an excellent summary, both comprehensive and relatively brief, well presented and giving an overall assessment of what is needed to prevent the worst of the excesses we face if we do nothing, there is a chance we may manage to more than merely survive this threatened emergency and actually continue to thrive here on the only planet we have.
‘The impacts of climate change, no doubt, constitute an existential threat if we fail to act. But we can act. Our fragile moment can still be preserved.’ Michael Mann ...more
The mere mention of Greta’s name here may prevent the climate deniers and nay-sayers reading further. Such is the nature of the closed mind. The shameThe mere mention of Greta’s name here may prevent the climate deniers and nay-sayers reading further. Such is the nature of the closed mind. The shame is that these are precisely the people who need to hear the message. The book is small and short, 106 pages of accessible text. These are the speeches Greta made to various world and local bodies over the period from 8th September 2018 to 27th September 2019. One whole year in which a sixteen-year-old girl made a real impact in the world by her selfless dedication to a task that should have been the top priority of every politician in the world. Yes, I’m an environmentalist. I could be nothing less after having been a member of Greenpeace since it started up in Great Britain in the early 1980s. As a result, I’ve been following the science for years. Yes, the science, which is conclusive and supported by 97% of the appropriate scientific communities. Sorry, I may be preaching to the converted by now. So, to the book. As this is a collection of her speeches, there is inevitably some repetition. But the urgency of her call, her passion, her genuine concern for the future of her generation and those to follow are all so very manifest. She uses those known CO2 figures to press home her point about the urgency of action needed, and she quite rightly castigates those in authority who have done no more than make spurious and meaningless promises that have led to no actual change at all. But there are messages here for the general public of the world. We are all in this existential crisis together. And that’s what the climate emergency is, make no mistake about its seriousness. If we fail to act, all of us, on this issue, the very strong probability is that life on this planet will become untenable within a very short time. Greta stresses the urgency, the need to ACT NOW, not next week, not tomorrow, but now, today. I wish everyone would read this small, informative, book of common sense and fact. The tragedy is that very few will make the effort. Ten years from now the world we know will have changed radically. If we fail to act, that will be our fault. But it will be our children who will suffer from our complacency, neglect, and failure to accept the reality of the science. ...more
Here is the statement from the back cover of this amazing book: ‘We still have a chance to live better than ever on Planet Earth. But, as humans becomHere is the statement from the back cover of this amazing book: ‘We still have a chance to live better than ever on Planet Earth. But, as humans become ever more powerful, how can we avoid blundering into disaster?’ And this book does its level best to answer that question with positive ideas, suggestions, and examples. Anyone who’s been alive for the past forty years and has avoided burying their head in the sand must know by now that we are in trouble, serious trouble. Greed, selfishness, division, vested interest, and inexcusable ignorance (given the amount of information available) have allowed the destroyers to overwhelm the creators and carers. But this hopeful, constructive, sensible, and brilliantly researched book has re-ignited the optimist in me. There is a chance, small and only briefly available, for us to change things in such a way that we might not only survive but actually render the world a better place in which all of us can live. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Given the current state of the world as it now operates, under rules well past their sell-by dates, ruled as it is by charlatans, narcissists, dictators, and greedy, self-serving opportunists with more money than sense, it is easy to become deeply pessimistic. But we can change things. It is possible. What those people don’t understand is that they will be every bit as susceptible to the irresistible destructive power of the climate emergency that lurks just around the corner as the rest of us. Wealth and power will make absolutely no difference to their chances of survival when the disaster occurs. But we can do something to prevent that disaster. And that is what this book is all about. The suggestions are written in a style that’s accessible, intelligent, and informed, but lacking in the arrogance so often associated with books that give advice. The references and the glossary of research sources give credence to everything the author mentions here. The book is believable simply because it is obviously true. There is a brief introduction to the first edition (I read the updated version). The book then tackles the growing threats and their possible solutions under the following headings: Food, Climate and Environment, Energy, Travel and Transport, Growth Money and Metrics, People and Work, Business and Technology, Values Truth and Trust, Thinking Skills for Today’s World, Protest, Big-Picture Summary, and What Can I Do? Each section gives examples of the causes of our current problems, possible solutions, and sources of information for further reading. The language makes often complex systems and situations readily understood without in any way being patronising. There follows a comprehensive section dealing with Climate Emergency Basics, and another headed Alphabetical Quick Tour. ‘Endnotes’ details the sources for the numbered items in each chapter, and these are extensive. Finally, there is a useful Index. If you are growing increasingly concerned for the future of the planet, please give this book a read. If you are still in the mindset of the denier, please give this book a read. And then see what parts of it you can adopt in your own life, what you can actually do to make a difference and help create a much better future than the one we are currently running full pelt toward. That cliff we will all otherwise plummet down is too steep and high to survive. But, if we can adopt the ideas and suggestions so wisely presented in this book, there’s a real chance we may at least endure and maybe even thrive in a world we can make so much better than that we currently occupy. Mike Berners-Lee is the son of mathematicians and computer scientists and brother of Tim Berners-Lee, the father of the internet....more
Subtitled ‘How we can rethink, repair and rebuild society’ this book deals comprehensively with issues and problems of our current political systems. Subtitled ‘How we can rethink, repair and rebuild society’ this book deals comprehensively with issues and problems of our current political systems. It is essentially written about the situation in the UK but has a pretty universal application. I’d like to have all our current, and potential, politicians made to sit down and read this manual for a fairer and more workable world. The book starts with a comprehensive ‘Introduction to The World We Have Made’ and is then divided into four Parts: Part A – ‘Active Freedom’, deals with Decommodifying Time; Education For All, For Free, For Life; and DIY Politics. Part B – ‘True Prosperity’, deals with Restoring the Earth; The People’s Economy; and Controlling the Money. Part C – ‘Healthy Life’, looks at Enabling Wellbeing; Unleashing Culture; and Recovering Space. Part D – ‘Shared Resilience’, talks about Repairing the Broken; Rebalancing the World; and Making Reparation. Natalie Bennett has worked and lived in a number of lands and cultures. It is clear she made extensive research for this inspiring attempt to change our world for the better. The work is fact-based, intelligent, thoughtful, inspiring, optimistic, and comprehensive. A real sense of justice permeates the narrative, with practical solutions to so many of our current problems, and ideas aimed at reducing the current conflict that is so destructive in our politics at present. There is encouragement for those in society attempting, and often succeeding, at local politics that directly affect their lives and those of others. She makes cogent points about the nature of leadership and how reliance on one leader is a recipe for disaster in so many ways. I could quote examples here, but everyone must be starkly aware of the many conflicts, both internally and globally, that stem from the vanity, greed, incompetence, and ignorance of many political leaders. It is surely time for a change. This is essentially a manual for practical change to many aspects of our political, social, and cultural lives. A way to examine our prejudices, beliefs, concerns, and actions with the aim of producing a much fairer, more inclusive, rational, and universal society that creates a better world for all. It is a relatively radical, but eminently practical approach to correct a whole raft of issues that currently not only lie unmanaged, but actually threaten our mental and physical health, our prosperity, our environment, and, ultimately, the continuation of human life on the planet. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Everyone should read it and gain hope from the content, especially all our politicians and leaders in all fields of endeavour. Carried to its logical conclusion, the philosophy described in this book could fundamentally change the whole world for the better. ...more
Subtitled ‘1001 Things Everyone Should Know About RELIGION’, this is a piece of work, as the subtitle says, everyone should read. That it is a scholarlSubtitled ‘1001 Things Everyone Should Know About RELIGION’, this is a piece of work, as the subtitle says, everyone should read. That it is a scholarly work is indicated by the comprehensive bibliography, index and accompanying notes, which take up around 28% of the publication. The author lightens a heavy subject by being occasionally a little playful in his descriptions of the way past Biblical scholars have attempted to justify some of the worst excesses revealed in this otherwise serious book. That lightness of touch is a welcome factor in a work dealing with material that is both divisive and deeply disturbing. As an author in search of truth, I have actually read the Bible (and its brother religious tome, the Qur’an) from cover to cover. Doing so set me on the path to becoming an atheist after having been raised a Christian. The author points out, with many samples and quotes, the sheer nonsense, the hypocrisy, the multiple internal contradictions, the morally indefensible commands to followers, and the utter fantasy of the whole idea behind them. The simple fact is that the Jesus described in the Bible is totally absent from contemporary historians’ accounts of the times. Michael Polkovich is concerned about the way our children continue to be subjected to the contents of these religious texts at school, regardless of the true nature of dreadful messages that perpetuate misogyny, encourage slavery, murder, rape, and the mass killing of any who fail to accept them as truth. And his book, introduced as part of the educational curriculum in every school, could quickly remove the curse of the superstition and false claims currently fed to the accepting minds of developing children condemned to receive the same set of irrational fears forced upon their parents during their own childhood. It is a well-written, comprehensive, and honest exposure of the lies and hypocrisy underlying the teaching of religion over the past two millennia. It could help bring an end to systems of belief that have encouraged and caused mass-murder, enslavement, injustice, misogyny, rape, child abuse, and war. Concern for truth may persuade many to take what they will perceive as a risk as they work through this book, but could turn into a force for real good and a saviour of generations to come. ...more
Whether a reader can empathise with the writer of a book essentially driven by personal ambition, hopes, or dreams, depends on how that reader feels aWhether a reader can empathise with the writer of a book essentially driven by personal ambition, hopes, or dreams, depends on how that reader feels about those aims. I confess I’m definitely with the author here. Given the chance of a return flight to Mars, I’d jump at it! After all, having written a sci-fi trilogy set there, I’d love to experience the world in person. Prof. Smith, an engineer by profession, has a deep understanding of the science and mechanics involved in getting transport off Earth and across millions of miles of hostile space to another planet. He also understands the need for such an enterprise (forgive the pun, but he’s also an avid fan of Star Trek!) The book is divided into four parts, each subdivided into sections, and starts by examining current science and technology. Part 2 looks at potential and definite threats to his aims, and at possible responses. Part 3 deals with future developments in science and technology. And part 4 contains his concluding remarks. Remarkable is an apposite description of this sometimes very personal assessment of why science and technology have so far taken humanity only as far as our own moon. There are a couple of areas only, among a multitude, where I found mild reason to disagree. One was his concern with what he considers ‘the current obsession with political correctness’, which he feels forms an unnecessary barrier to administrative progress in some areas. While understanding his frustrations, I also feel his stance appears to be exactly in line with that expected of a white, male, heterosexual from the West. It’s noticeable that women form a tiny percentage of his scientific and technical world, in spite of their remarkable contributions. My second area of minor disagreement involves his attitude to modern literature, especially sci-fi. As the author of several stories engaging with future worlds, I found his dismissal on grounds of ‘Romance and Dystopia’ a little off the mark. Many writers of such fiction understand the need to include romance in sci-fi as a way of helping readers relate to otherwise male-centric action. Also, there’s an element of social science, an area he rather easily dismisses, that actively helps readers empathise with the players in such stories. With regard to dystopian outcomes, I say many sci-fi writers are so concerned with avoidable catastrophe in the modern world, we see it as our responsibility to let people know the possible consequences of our failure to address our social responsibilities to the planet we inhabit. However, these are minor concerns given the wide-ranging and in-depth coverage of the major issues tackled by the book. Political dithering caused by ill-educated and improperly advised would-be leaders, concentration on the fast buck by industry supremos at the expense of rare minerals, childish games designed to set people at odds over inconsequential issues rather than unite them in action to save the natural world, and a ham-strung, inefficient, self-serving and ultra-cautious academic system that fails to encourage and fund real and needed new research are all guilty of damage to our future prospects. Prof. Smith has studied history, science, technology and mechanics on his route through life. His well-presented arguments relating to what the scientific world believes and/or fails to consider are worthy subjects for discussion. This book mixes humour with erudition, knowledge with informed speculation, and reaches conclusions with which I fully agree. It’s a fascinating, engaging, and illuminating piece of work. ...more
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