Bill McGuire - Hothouse Earth : An Inhabitants Guide (9781785789212)

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The Earth is already in a dangerous phase of heating. Many scientists admit privately to actually being scared by recent weather extremes. But the public doesnt like pessimism, so we environment journalists hint at future optimism. This book provides a more steely-eyed view on how we can cope with a hothouse world.

Roger Harrabin, former BBC Environment Analyst

Taut, calmly told and truly terrifying and theres no arguing with the science. If you read just one book about the menace of climate breakdown, make it this one.

Tim Radford, Climate News Network

A comprehensive tour of climate breakdown, the trouble we are heading for and the many forms it might take. This accessible and authoritative book is a must-read for anyone who still thinks it could be OK to carry on as we are for a little bit longer, or that climate chaos might not affect them or their kids too badly.

Mike Berners-Lee, professor at Lancaster University, founder of Small World Consultancy and author of There is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years

Professor Bill McGuire has a rare talent for presenting authoritative and complex information in writing that is both accessible and enjoyably fluid. His book is convincing and passionate an invaluable guide for those who are relatively new to the issue of climate breakdown and a useful revisor for those of us who have been reading the science for many years.

Brendan Montague, editor of the Ecologist

A compelling clarion call for a planet in peril. If the searing science of Hothouse Earth doesnt set alarm bells ringing, then it is difficult to see what else will.

Professor Iain Stewart, geologist and broadcaster

Ironically, its never been harder telling the full truth about the climate emergency. That truth is so shocking. So painful. It invites rejection. But there can be no authentic hope for a better world without that truth being unflinchingly spelled out. Thanks then to iv Bill McGuire for doing exactly that in Hothouse Earth and for still leaving us with plenty of reasons to be hopeful just so long as we get our shit sorted without any further delay.

Jonathon Porritt, environmental campaigner and author of Hope in Hell: A Decade to Confront the Climate Emergency

It is rare indeed for a top scientist to spell out with blunt honesty the hell that we are heading into. Bill McGuire is one of the very few.

Roger Hallam, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion and co-author of This is Not a Drill: An Extinction Rebellion

Theres a climate emergency on and our leaders havent understood just how serious it is. In this concise book, Professor Bill McGuire expertly lays out the scale of the threat in very clear terms including how much damage we have already done. He points out just how little time we have left to stop the climate crisis engulfing human civilisation. Every decision maker in government, business and wider society should read this book and then act as fast as possible to reduce carbon pollution to zero.

Dr Stuart Parkinson, executive director, Scientists for Global Responsibility

Hothouse Earth might accurately be described as a bit of a grim read, but there is no hyperbole here. Everything in Prof. McGuires book is solidly based upon peer-reviewed research and current observations. McGuire wants us to face up to the facts; when one does so, then one has no choice any longer. Then, grim is the point; and actually, grim is the way. For, only if we get people to feel less shy and embarrassed about talking and hearing grim do we stand a chance For, only if we are ready to be real about our predicament have we any hope of measuring up to it. If you are after light reading, or just want to put on a happy face, dont buy this book. Only those ready for a strict diet of truth should dare open it. Hothouse Earth is an easy to understand and authoritative reference source for all things climate science. It is a very, very, sobering read. If our so-called leaders were to read it, they would adapt. They would change (or else we must change them for others up to the job). Why not buy them a copy?

Rupert Read, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia and former spokesperson and strategist for Extinction Rebellion. His new book, Why Climate Breakdown Matters is published in August 2022

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This book is dedicated to valiant climate activists everywhere, who are daily fighting ignorance, abuse, obfuscation and outright denial. I know you will win the battle, because you simply cant afford to lose.