Reflections on a 'Heat'ed topic - Climate change

Care about the environment? Want to know how to best reduce your carbon output to preserve those precious fresh powder days? Heat: how to stop the planet from burning, written by British author George Monbiot, does precisely that.

The book systematically breaks down what climate change is, why so many people are in denial about its existence, and what humans as a whole can do to reduce carbon emissions to a sustainable level, while maintaining a palatable level of luxury. As a critical commentator, Monbiot clearly breaks down the viability of potential energy alternatives for homes, transportation, electricity, shops, asphalt production, and air travel- the main contributors of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere- and the feasibility of implementing these alternatives in the current system. In addition, he dissects the political rhetoric spewed by various developed countries, primarily the UK, and compares their environmental “goals” to his goal of decreasing carbon emissions by 90% by 2030 (the book was published in 2006).

The book is well-researched, and each claim is supported by an academic reference, giving the reader confidence that they are not falling prey to further misinformation. The content is accessible to all levels of environmental knowledge, yet manages to maintain enough wry humour and sophistication to be an enjoyable and engaging read. He tackles climate change head on, leaving no possibility unchecked, and offers level-headed guidance about how to make the necessary social and political shifts. An informative and eye-opening experience, the book is indispensable for those wishing to incorporate meaningful, global-scale change in their lives.

Want to find out more? An avid columnist and contract professor, Monbiot posts regularly on his website http://www.monbiot.com about a variety of topics. Enjoy!