Endorsements
"Managing climate change by reducing carbon emissions is the great challenge of our time, all the more universal as it requires individuals as well as Governments to commit to actions which take them outside their comfort zones. Bob Whitmarsh has distilled his deep scientific and technical knowledge into a most readable and convincing primer covering why and how to take those actions and how to follow them up. So many of us are asking “what can we personally do about climate change?” This book provides the answers, and ought to be required reading for us all." Dr Tony Stoller CBE, former Chair, Joseph Rowntree Foundation ________________________________________________________________ "Great book". Prof. Joy Carter, Vice-Chancellor, University of Winchester and Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Hampshire ________________________________________________________________ "This is a thought provoking book addressing the impact of humans, and human behaviour on the planet. The book explains climate change in easy to understand terms and addresses the relationship between climate change and energy consumption. Contained in 11 succinct chapters, with a useful summary provided at the end of each, this book encourages the better off to consider their energy consumption and increase awareness of its environmental impact. Beyond this, the book provides ample evidence to demonstrate how relatively simple changes in human behaviour can produce a significant impact on energy consumption. I thoroughly recommend it." Professor AbuBakr Bahaj BSc PhD CPhys MInstP FICE FRSA, Head of the Energy & Climate Change Division and Leader of the Sustainable Energy Research Group at the University of Southampton _______________________________________________________________________ "Bob Whitmarsh has put together a treasure trove of useful information on what ordinary people can do to reduce their carbon emissions. He deals with electricity, heat, travel and housing, and gives us solid no-nonsense advice on all these subjects, plus over 300 references to further information, ranging from the latest IPCC reports to "How Bad Are Bananas?: The carbon footprint of everything" [[ASIN:B004E3X9ZC ]] (also highly recommended !). The accounts of personal efforts to make homes less carbon intensive - both his own and his neighbours' - are really practical and quite inspirational. I was especially pleased to find a mention of the role of external shutters, sadly neglected in the UK but effective in reducing both heat loss in winter and the need for cooling in summer. As he says, while governments dither, duck and weave, it is time for all of us (especially those who can afford to spend a bit) to "step up to the plate and do their significant bit". It's nice that he advises that "we should concentrate on less ironing & clothes washing" but disappointing that we should also cut back on eating out and drink less alcohol. Ah well, I guess we have to take the rough with the smooth…” Professor John Shepherd, MA, PhD, CBE, FRS, Emeritus Professor of Earth System Science within the Ocean and Earth Science department of the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. |