We noted a new book recently. Carbon Choices: “an easy to read summary of complex issues.” The publishers say:
“Coming from Scotland, host of the global 2021 climate conference, Carbon Choices tells the most remarkable story on planet Earth. How one group of sociable animals came to emit 40 billion tonnes (40,000,000,000) of an invisible gas each year, changing the chemistry of the atmosphere and the oceans, and steadily destroying the environment and life support systems that we depend on. We have unwittingly driven the world into a climate and wildlife crisis by the endless extraction of raw materials and our excessive consumerism – primarily by wealthier people and countries. Carbon Choices considers the psychology that drives us to buy more ‘stuff’ and whether this makes us happier. In plain language, it describes ten building blocks that provide us with a foundation to build sensible climate change solutions; and five common-sense principles to guide us in the decisions that we make. By applying these principles to our daily lives – our diets, homes, travel, shopping and leisure – we can regenerate nature, improve our society, be healthier, happier and lead more fulfilled lives. This popular science book concludes with a green action plan for government, business and individuals to make better Carbon Choices. The book will fill any gaps in your understanding of climate change and nature loss and lays out the solutions including a green action plan for government, businesses and individuals. It will motivate you to change your behaviour and maybe even inspire you to campaign to change the behaviour of businesses and government.”
The last of these claims is quite something: “fill any gaps in your understanding of climate change and nature loss“. “any gaps“? If true, no doubt the IPCC and the UN will be ordering multiple copies if they’ve not done so already.
There’s a website which shows the contents, a lot of impressive testimonials, a blog and more details. The author, Neil Kitchen, wrote a TES Blog in October. He said that the generation going through school just now is absolutely determined to do something about climate change and put forward 5 ideas for schools to best channel that energy? He proposed five ideas on where to start:
– 1. Start with the things that schools and local authorities control directly
– 2. Think about how staff and pupils travel to school
– 3. Provide dietary information to pupils and campaign for healthy and low-carbon school meals
– 4. Look beyond geography to the whole curriculum
– 5. Put nature front and centre
We’ll be reviewing the book much more thoroughly at a later date.