Mark Maslin - How to save our planet : the facts

Mark Maslin is a Professor of Earth System Science at University College London. He is the former Director of the UCL Environment Institute and a leading voice in the battle against climate change.

Marks areas of scientific expertise include understanding the origins of the Anthropocene, the causes of past and future climate change, and the environmental challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. Mark is a Royal Society Wolfson Research Scholar and has been a Royal Society Industrial Fellow. He has published over 175 papers in journals such as Science, Nature and The Lancet.

Mark is the author of eight popular books including The Human Planet and Cradle of Humanity. He regularly speaks at major literary and science festivals, has written articles for publications like The Times, New Scientist, New York Times, Independent and Guardian, and has appeared on Newsnight, Time Team, BBC News and Dispatches. Mark was also an advisor and key contributor to David Attenboroughs 2019 BBC One programme Climate Change: The Facts.

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First published by Penguin Life in 2021

Copyright Mark Maslin, 2021

The moral right of the author has been asserted

ISBN: 978-0-241-47253-8

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the authors and publishers rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

To my mother,
Catherine Anne Maslin
(19432020).

Without whom I would not
be the person I am today.

For everyone who is prepared to fight for a better world.

Facts and figures about the origin of the Universe and Earth, our unique planet. This chapter provides you with background knowledge of our precious planet, the evolution of life on Earth and the emergence of modern humans.

Facts and figures about the development of human society. This chapter provides you with background knowledge of the whole of human history from the hunter-gatherers through to the reign of consumer capitalism.

Facts and figures about the huge human impact on Earth. This chapter provides you with insights into the state of our planet, both in terms of the environment and our global human society.

These are confusing times, with a lot of misinformation and fake news about climate change and environmental destruction. This chapter provides you with an insight into the tricks used by climate/environmental change deniers to dissuade you from taking rapid action.

This chapter provides you with a clear vision of how bad the world could be if we do not deal with climate change and environmental degradation. It also provides an alternative vision of what the world could be like if we do everything possible to alleviate our climate, environmental and social crises.

We have the power to control our own lives and influence those around us this chapter provides a clear set of positive actions that you as an individual can take. Individuals are our powerbase for change.

Businesses control our lives: what we eat, what we buy, what we watch and even who we vote for. This chapter discusses how we can harness the positive power of corporations, so we can change the world. Companies are one of our major weapons of change.

Governments look after our safety and our wellbeing. They control the aspirations of civil society through the rule of law and the development of policy. This chapter discusses how regulation, taxation, subsidies and incentives all play a role in how governments can make our societies more sustainable and ultimately reduce our carbon emissions to zero. Governments drive innovation.

This chapter summarizes what we need to do by 2050 to create the future we all want, firstly, by stabilizing the climate, and secondly by protecting the environment for the wellbeing of all life on Earth, thereby enabling the 10 billion humans there will then be on Earth to have the best possible life.

The new world post Covid-19.

Facts and figures about our beautiful home.

The global awareness of climate change and the environmental crisis has grown very rapidly through Greta Thunberg-led schools strikes, Extinction Rebellion, the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) high-impact reports, the BBC One documentary Climate Change: The Facts and governments all around the world declaring we are in a climate emergency.

This awareness is continuing to grow.

The science shows us that our planet and our species are facing a massive crisis, which we have caused.

Such is its urgency that we need to act now.

There are many books out there on climate change.

Some want to scare you and some want to preach at you.

This book is different.

It is for anyone and everyone to pick up and read.

I wanted to write a book that makes people feel smarter, more knowledgeable and empowered to act.

This is a book you can quote in the pub or at a dinner party or even in Parliament.

This is a new style of book to engage everyone who wants to make a difference.

This is a short and punchy handbook that will empower you by providing the knowledge and insight to act to save our planet.

* * *

This is not a linear book.

You do not have to start at the beginning or the end.

Each chapter is self-contained.

Choose the most relevant chapter for you and read that one first.

The book is inspired by Sun Tzus The Art of War. Like that book, it is written in short sentences and phrases each one laden with meaning.

Because to save the planet and ourselves we need to be on a war footing we need to engage every part of our society in the battle against climate change and environment destruction.

Each factual statement is supported by numbered key references that are listed in full at the end of the book, so that you can check every statement I make.

I want this book to be read by everyone because I honestly believe that together we can make this a better, safer, healthier planet for all humanity.

WE STAND AT THE PRECIPICE.

THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET IS IN OUR HANDS.

In the second half of the 20th century, our creativity and cooperation brought about unprecedented peace, prosperity and individual freedom.

Yet our institutions and the paradigms that enabled these successes are not keeping pace with our rapidly changing world.