This book begins well but the author is dazzled by the bright lights of hydrogen as the fuel of the future. He doesn’t seem to understand where the hydrogen and the power to make it come from (David Strahan provides the calculations to refute this in his book). Classical economics will always provide the answer: it is a ‘business as usual’ approach to peak oil that lacks any intellectual integrity. If I were a cynic I might think that this was written on the back of the publishing bandwagon for personal gain rather than a heartfelt treatise. RJT.
This is an excellent piece of guardianesque British investigative journalism, apart from an unfortunate public spat with a government minister in the middle. The book provides much detail on how oil reserves are estimated and possibly in some cases fabricated. The book also explains why hydrogen is not a viable alternative fuel and why there is no alternative to energy decent. Great cover. RJT. Monbiot does a number of important things in this book. He first sets out the importance of tackling CO2 emissions now rather than later. He then proceeds to examine how in about 20 years time the actions of enlightened governments could have introduced new technologies that enable CO2 emissions to be reduced to be reduced by 80% (I think), while at the same time allowing us to maintain our current lifestyles. We can keep our cars, shop at supermarkets, produce waste, tumble dry our clothes, and live in an economy predicted on economic growth. In Monbiot’s future the only thing that we can’t do is go on holiday. The technical solutions include biofuels including wood from Scandinavia, hydrogen from natural gas, benevolent supermarkets, buses on the motorway, and possibly even nuclear power. My feeling is that the premise of the book is wrong. I can see that a plan in which business continues as usual and people just continue to live their lives as they are with technological changes occurring in the background, is the most palatable solution to many people (apart from the holidays). Two things. Doesn’t this require benevolent and visionary governments to be both elected here and abroad and to spend large sums of money on results that are by definition invisible. Doesn’t it also require that these technologies actually work (I’m thinking hydrogen here)? In this plan the only thing we need to do to ameliorate climate change do is elect such a government. I’ll turn the light off while I wait shall I? Inspired by similar schemes in Sheffield and Manchester, Beeston Transition Initiative has started working on an abundance project. The idea is to harvest produce that is growing wild or is surplus to requirements and that would otherwise go to waste. The fruit (or veg) is then distributed to individuals and organisations who need it. This year our harvest was small as we started very late, but next year we hope to have a much bigger harvest to share. Thanks to all involved in organising the fab food fuddle today; to those who brought food to share; to those working behind the scenes serving teas, coffees and doing the washing up; and special thanks to the generous benefactor who helped to fund the hire of the hall. Another great example of what we can do when we work together. Fuddle Photos - Courtesy of Lewis Stainer
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