The Weather Makers: Our Changing Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth |
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Tim Flannery
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Pages: 368 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0141026278
Pub: Penguin Books Ltd
Pub date: 2007-05-03
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 34360
Reader Reviews:
Everyone should read this book (0/0 people found this helpful)
Superbly written, easy to understand (even for non-science people like me) and well laid out with facts and details cleaerly defined for the reader to make their own conclusions. Everyone should read this book as we all have a stake in the future of this planet, and Tim proves that there are things that can be done so simply if we, the individuals just get off our butts and stop being complacent. For the sake of our children, and our childrens children, I truly hope his message gets across.
Balanced, informative, highly recommended (0/0 people found this helpful)
This is a very balanced and fair view of the subject, extremely informative and intelligently written. I am lending it to a friend as a highly recommended book as I think it should be read by as many people as possible who want to make some difference to this world.
A rude awakening to global warming. (0/1 people found this helpful)
Flannery provides readers with a interesting, yet informative look at our planet and how our human society is effecting it. Global warming is something that we are taking far too lightly, and Flannery makes it obvious that we are in danger. He starts off by looking at the history of our planet's climate, and certain situations that have affected our climate in the past. He then throws a number of harsh stats at the reader, mainly having to do with rising in global temps. and the extinction of some animal species. He does not put it lightly that human activity is slowly ruining our planet. If we continue on this path of destruction, whether it be intentional or not, Flannery believes that our Earth will eventually become 'unlivable'. Us as individuals, our governments, and our society in general our the only ones who can stop the tragedy of global warming from occuring. Tim does not leave us hanging there. He provides many was that us, both as individuals and as a society, can stop this monster before it takes over our future generations. I highly recommend that anyone who feels a slight concern for the future of our climate to read this book. It is a real eye-opener.
Grow Up (2/7 people found this helpful)
I can remember a time when this kind of environmental babble only ever appeared on John Cravens Newsround, it always ended with some cute story about a polar bear or something. Hey, those kids grew up and brought the news with them! So according to Flannery the climate is warming up and everything is going to get worse, not just most things but everything! You might think that some animals or plants or humans might enjoy things a little warmer? No, its all bad! So who is to blame for all this? Well we all know by now, its your fault and all those pesky humans that used fossil fuel to try and make life more barable for themselves. Nevermind about the fact that before the industrial revolution average life expectancy was about 35 years in the UK. But hey dont thank humanity for progressing to the stage where people like yourself can enjoy all the benefits of modern life. So, Flannery tells us how he lives in his eco cabin in some forest in Australia, great, but if it wasnt for "polution" he would be dead or at best sat shivering in a cave wondering where his next meal was coming from.
Matt, W. Australia
Well written considered view of the planet's future (13/14 people found this helpful)
The author carefully discusses the various potential futures for the planet, looking at the different scenarios in a scientific reasoned way. He looks at the changes likely for a wide range of habitats and species, showing that most parts of the Earth will be badly affected by even low rises in average temperature.
He then looks at the causes - and there are some horror stories of political lobbying by the various Carbon Power businesses (rather like the tobacco industry's attempts to thwart scientific investigation of the links to cancer in the pursuit of profit at the expense of human life).
Finally he looks at the ways that we, or rather, (unfortunately) our politicians, can do something about it. Individually we can make a small change, but it needs consistent, combined efforts by our governments to save the planet from a new "Dark Age" brought on by extreme weather conditions.
A well written, balanced view of the Earth's future. If only all politicians of all nations would read this, then the planet would have a chance.
The alternative is to go and live in a small-holding in the North of England, grow your own food, and have your own wind and solar power generators. Unfortunately, as most of us live packed into cities, this will only be available for a few - and the rest of the population will no doubt turn to anarchy...
Ah well, we've had a good run for our money - the 60's and 70's were probably the final golden age of civilisation on the planet. Now, unless a miracle happens and the Power Lobby and the Car Manufacturers get a radical change of heart, we are heading inexorably towards the new Dark Ages.
So, in the words of the great Douglas Adams, "So long, and thanks for all the fish..."
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