Brian Clegg had an impeccable scientific education at Manchester Grammar School and Cambridge.  He has researched the subject of Global Warming and its potential consequences assiduously; this reviewer (obviously much less knowledgeable) found nothing scientifically unsound.  The first chapter, on Climate Change, is lucid, concise, unsensational – and very alarming.  The main quibbles would be (a) Clegg does not appear to allow for the likely impact of peak oil and (b) there is a lack of detailed references for those who wish to check assertions – but there are plenty of such books.

 

So why a feeling of unease?  Clegg’s imperative for preparing for trouble ahead is that humans, by nature, ignore all but the most imminent threats.  “The inhabitants of Pompeii knew perfectly well that Vesuvius posed a mortal risk, but chose to hope for the best.” (page 37).  Essentially this book is a self-survival guide.  Well, yes, those who are wise will read this book and make some preparation:  ‘Lecture a wise man, and he will grow wiser’ (Pr. 9:9).  But it was ‘enlightened self-interest’ that has got us into this climate mess.  We are not preparing for a crisis like a flood where there is some hope that life will return to normal if we and our friends can somehow survive the emergency.

 

Indeed, those who can remember the survival manuals (like: ‘Protect and Survive’) for the aftermath of nuclear war may experience a sense of déjà vu.  (‘On hearing the ALL CLEAR you may resume normal activities.’)  O.K., as a compact guide to being prepared for an emergency, or for self-sufficiency, this book is an excellent primer.  For the greater threat, some may prefer: ‘Protest and Survive’.

 

The whole point, however, is that we also need a changed approach to living on a changing planet.  Are we headed for a fragmented world of war-lords battling for resources or for a new paradigm of sharing resources fairly and live sustainably?  This is a huge challenge to the World Faiths (let alone the politicians), even if by concerted action at the 11^th hour we yet avoid the worst consequences of global warming.  I’m still looking for a practical guide to meeting this challenge.

Charles Jolly