The Burning Question (Ebook)
We can't burn half the world's oil, coal and gas. So how do we quit?
Mike Berners-Lee, Duncan Clark
Buy from
Take one complex scientific discipline. Add the future of energy, economics and geopolitics. Season with human nature ...
The Burning Question reveals climate change to be the most fascinating scientific, political and social puzzle in history. It shows that carbon emissions are still accelerating upwards, following an exponential curve that goes back centuries. One reason is that saving energy is like squeezing a balloon: reductions in one place lead to increases elsewhere. Another reason is that clean energy sources don't in themselves slow the rate of fossil fuel extraction.
Tackling global warming will mean persuading the world to abandon oil, coal and gas reserves worth many trillions of dollars - at least until we have the means to put carbon back in the ground. The burning question is whether that can be done. What mix of politics, psychology, economics and technology might be required? Are the energy companies massively overvalued, and how will carbon-cuts affect the global economy? Will we wake up to the threat in time? And who can do what to make it all happen?
Reviews for The Burning Question
Praise for How Bad Are Bananas?
'It is terrific. I can't remember the last time I read a book that was more fascinating and useful and enjoyable all at the same time
'
Bill Bryson
New Scientist
Chris Goodall
Timothy Lang
Jim Hansen
Fred Pearce, , author of The Last Generation, How nature will take her revenge for climate change
George Monbiot
Bryony Worthington
Durwood Zaelke
Mike Barry
The Burning Question' is a fascinating examination of the forces that have led to our current predicament and it presents an important framework for a sustainable future. I recommend it highly.
The climate crisis is a challenge unprecedented in its scale and complexity. We simply must confront this existential challenge and stop making it worse. That will require the awakening and activism of people all around the world.
'
Al Gore
Richard Van Noorden Nature
Probably the best synthesis of the key arguments over climate change that I've read.
As well as being an accessible, easy read, the authors have successfully avoided getting side-tracked or bogged down with any of the wonkery that too often surrounds the debate about global warming ... Clark and Berners-Lee have managed to bring a refreshing new clarity to the debate.
'
Joss Garman Greenpeace