Customer Reviews:
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 How to cut the release of greenhouse gases by 90% - a practical guide. October 16, 2006
12 out of 15 found this review helpful
According to some recent predictions, we will need to cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2030 to prevent naturally occurring systems of feedback gaining hold. If they do, then the matter is - to a large extent - out of our hands, and we will be on track to an increase in the global mean temperature of at least 4 degrees above pre-industrial levels, with effects which will probably be globally devastating.
Even if you don't accept this target (and it doesn't seem to be very controversial within the scientific community), and instead accept the easier targets that are still being proposed (at least for the time being) by e.g. the IPCC, the rest of the book is still of value - the changes proposed will still need to be made, only to a less dramatic degree - so you may as well take some of the easier changes from the book, and apply them.
George Monbiot gives an overview of the state of the science, the implications for humankind (and the other species with which we share the planet), the changes necessary, and then (the majority of the book), how these changes may be brought about. The treatment tries to remain as practical as possible, and whilst the analysis is focussed on the UK, the majority of it is also applicable to other countries (developed, or otherwise).
Overall, he carries this task out very well - if there is one fault, it is the incursion of some of the author's moral opinions into the analysis of some of the subject matter (e.g. the section on personal transport) - difficult as it may be, these can, and should be overlooked - the rest of the message is too important to disregard on this basis. To quote the FT review: "if we do not like his ideas, then think of better ones".
Eventually (hopefully), climate change seems to be turning slowly from being one of the most important scientific questions of our age, to the biggest political and technological challenge.
If you are in a position of responsibility, I urge you in the strongest possible terms to read this book. If you are an engineer, a business person, or a policy maker, read this book, and get working on the solutions - this issue is certainly one of life and death - probably not for you, but certainly for others, and quite possibly your descendants.
In the event that you are not in a position to help with the technological aspects of the solutions (and the implications are so wide-ranging that it is almost inconceivable that some aspect of your day-to-day life will not be affected), read this book anyway, and make what personal changes you can. Having made these changes, set about explaining to those who can make more of a difference, the scale of the changes that they need to make, and the urgency with which they need to act. Many other goals and aspirations will - regrettably - have to be put to one side for the time being.
In summary: Certainly the most important book that I've read in the last decade (at least).
Outstanding wake-up call October 4, 2006
41 out of 47 found this review helpful
This is an outstanding book - a call for action that must happen now if we are to avoid climate change spiralling out of control. Its strengths are that it describes the issues with great clarity and conjures up possible solutions for dealing with them. Not all of these seem politically or practically realistic, but in a way that's not the point: they demonstrate that action can be taken and climate change kept in check.
I would strongly recommend, as a companion volume, The Rough Guide to Climate Change, which in many ways is an easier book to get yourself up to scratch on the science and the issues. It is very clearly written, with excellent diagrams, ranges widely over issues and solutions, and demystifies in the way that Rough Guides are so good at.
A Sobering Read October 3, 2006
23 out of 28 found this review helpful
This book puts climate change firmly forward as a disaster waiting to happen, and very soon as well.
George then goes on to outline the sort of practical, achievable ways we can change our lifestyles to curtail our greenhouse gas output. All his ideas are well thought out and allow us to maintain our current levels of comfort and living standards.
I thoroughly recomend people read this, then take action.
All that is needed is political will and for people to actually want to change.
If only the people who NEED to read this book would read it, but I fear that wont happen.
 Not a complete picture October 1, 2006
12 out of 64 found this review helpful
A riverting read - plenty of facts, figures and good reasoning. However, ultimately disappointing as a lot of the solutions Monbiot suggests are utopian ideas that need to be taken up and impemented by government. There is no mention, for example, about the single most beneficial environmental action an individual can take - the transition to a vegan diet.
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