Reviews
Reviews can be submitted to the book's Amazon web site and will be placed here subsequently. Amazon web site.
25 May 2017: BOOK REVIEW (in the Hampshire Chronicle)
"This is a serious and readable book about meeting the t w in challenges of climate change and reducing our use of fossil fuels at a uniquely serious moment on planet earth.
But the book also has a lighter touch. In Achieving a Low-Carbon Household, the author gives us a description of his washing up technique. Sometimes when washing up I find myself listening to Gardeners'Question Time. Bob Whitmarsh's book combines the best qualities of that programme: huge experience, super-nerdish expertise and homely anecdotes. The homeliness - including a reassuring reference to 'a nice cup of tea' - befits a book about households.
Bob Whitmarsh, a highly-respected scientist, points out that even approaching 1.5°C average global warming, however small that figure may seem to many, will be dangerous, particularly for developing countries which are more vulnerable to rising sea levels". Indeed climate change has already brought substantial loss of life and havoc - floods, droughts, fires and hurricanes - to many countries.
Both the importance and the target audience of the book are contained in the sub-title: 'a Guide for the Better Off. Climate change is the biggest moral issue of our time because those likely to suffer most are those who have done least to cause the devastation. Yet the carbon footprints of the richest ten per cent of the world's population - disproportionately represented in the southeast of England - are about sixty times as high as those of the poorest ten per cent. The author makes us acutely aware of the need for the comfortably off to take greater responsibility for the emissions from their homes and lifestyles. The book provides a user friendly step-by-step guide to help better-off people, in particular, find their own solutions. lt also provides a concise overview of the state of national and international efforts to avoid runaway climate change.
Although almost everyone could learn a lot from this book. Achieving a Low-Carbon Household should particularly be studied and discussed by every family that can afford foreign holidays. Bob Whitmarsh argues for his LEG system: "We need to aim for Less demand for energy Efficient use of energy and Generating our own energy.
Read this book, then enjoy using your legs!"
Robert Hutchison
Founder, Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC) in 2007
25 May 2017: BOOK REVIEW (in the Hampshire Chronicle)
"This is a serious and readable book about meeting the t w in challenges of climate change and reducing our use of fossil fuels at a uniquely serious moment on planet earth.
But the book also has a lighter touch. In Achieving a Low-Carbon Household, the author gives us a description of his washing up technique. Sometimes when washing up I find myself listening to Gardeners'Question Time. Bob Whitmarsh's book combines the best qualities of that programme: huge experience, super-nerdish expertise and homely anecdotes. The homeliness - including a reassuring reference to 'a nice cup of tea' - befits a book about households.
Bob Whitmarsh, a highly-respected scientist, points out that even approaching 1.5°C average global warming, however small that figure may seem to many, will be dangerous, particularly for developing countries which are more vulnerable to rising sea levels". Indeed climate change has already brought substantial loss of life and havoc - floods, droughts, fires and hurricanes - to many countries.
Both the importance and the target audience of the book are contained in the sub-title: 'a Guide for the Better Off. Climate change is the biggest moral issue of our time because those likely to suffer most are those who have done least to cause the devastation. Yet the carbon footprints of the richest ten per cent of the world's population - disproportionately represented in the southeast of England - are about sixty times as high as those of the poorest ten per cent. The author makes us acutely aware of the need for the comfortably off to take greater responsibility for the emissions from their homes and lifestyles. The book provides a user friendly step-by-step guide to help better-off people, in particular, find their own solutions. lt also provides a concise overview of the state of national and international efforts to avoid runaway climate change.
Although almost everyone could learn a lot from this book. Achieving a Low-Carbon Household should particularly be studied and discussed by every family that can afford foreign holidays. Bob Whitmarsh argues for his LEG system: "We need to aim for Less demand for energy Efficient use of energy and Generating our own energy.
Read this book, then enjoy using your legs!"
Robert Hutchison
Founder, Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC) in 2007
18 March 2018: review posted on the Amazon web site
For anyone wishing to do their bit to reduce their carbon footprint, as part of the collective effort required to slow the human impact of climate change, this book is essential reading. Citing more than 300 reference sources, there is no doubt that this book has been well researched and is up to date. It is aimed primarily at those who are reasonably well off and comfortable in life, who have it in their power to make changes to their home and lifestyle, to make a real impact on reducing their CO2 emissions. Bob Whitmarsh brings all his scientific knowledge and rigour to produce an immensely interesting and readable book that certainly doesn’t get bogged down in lots of scientific jargon. The book commences with chapters looking at the causes of climate change, and mankind’s ever-increasing demand for energy. It then proceeds to look at individual contributions, and approaches to measuring your own carbon footprint. The principles behind the book are relevant to anyone in any country, but the detailed analysis and excellent website links for calculations of energy consumption and comparisons are of most relevance to a UK audience. The chapters on home fuel consumption and measures to reduce your personal CO2 footprint were particularly interesting, and the later chapter examining the relative efficiencies of retro-fitted houses and new-build homes built to the highest standards was enlightening. Throughout the book the author is entirely realistic about how greatest efficiencies can be made in trying to achieve a low carbon household, and the choices available to us all. It’s no use just sitting back and hoping someone else will reduce global CO2 emissions and climate change, if we each take responsibility to move things in the right direction, together we can make a difference. This book will certainly point you in the right direction, and I can highly recommend it to all. A.J. Barker 16 March 2017: review posted on the Amazon web site
This comprehensive book contains a clear and detailed exposition of the likelihood and effects of potential climate change, with many references, followed by an analysis of the actions any responsible citizen can take to help in averting the threat to life on this planet. The advice is not confined to the possible normal improvements relating to a house but unusually ranges beyond this to more general questions about how for instance one's way of life and of travel can affect our footprint. An interesting read and thought-provoking read. George Roussopoulos 5 May 2017: review posted on the Amazon web site
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" (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... John Shepherd FRS |