The Suicidal Planet
How to Prevent Global Climate Catastrophe
by Mayer Hillman
Hardcover:
First Printed April 2007
What the Cover says
Climate change is the single biggest problem that humankind has ever had to face, as we continue with lifestyles that are way beyond the planet’s limits. Mayer Hillman explains the real issues: what role technology can play, how you and your community can make changes, and what governments must do now to protect our planet for future generations. In The Suicidal Planet, he proposes:
A ceiling on greenhouse gas emissions by the world’s governments
Global carbon rationing to reduce our individal carbon outputs to a fair and ecologically safe level
Helpful guidelines for the home, travel, and leisure
And much, much more.
Featuring the very latest information on global warming completely revised to include US facts and figures, The Suicidal Planet takes us out of the problem and into the solution of our international crisis.
What the Critics say:
BookBrowse
The Suicidal Planet is not an enjoyable read, but it is, arguably, a necessary one. In the first section, the author lays out the problem as he sees it. If we continue on our current course, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that average world temperatures will rise between 2.5°F and 10.4°F between 1990 and 2100. Temperature rises in currently colder areas would be more extreme, with Alaska, Canada and Northern Asia rising by 18°F.
To put things in perspective, the global temperature shift between the last Ice Age and now is believed to be 10°F; and an estimated 11°F increase in world temperatures was sufficient to wipe out 95% of species at the end of the Permian Period 250 million years ago.
Rationing cards could save our planet’s environment, but it’s difficult to see the world’s governments ever agreeing to such drastic levels of rationing in time to make a difference. However, perhaps the threat of rationing cards will be enough to drive new technologies, encourage sensible cutbacks in consumption.
We have rated The Suicidal Planet a “3″ (average) because of the narrow focus of its solution. In their efforts to evangelize carbon rationing, the author downplays the potential for technical solutions that can go at least part way to solving global warming. Worse, they effectively ignore population management as part of the solution. Even though population growth (up six-fold in 200 years from one billion to six billion people) surely must be recognized as a key contributor to global emissions, population management plays no part in Suicidal Planet’s proposed solution.
Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. [A] comprehensive, concise and beautifully organized overview of an undeniably important issue make it a must-read for anyone even slightly concerned about our future on this planet.
Booklist - Colleen Mondor
Clearly a lot of work went into the crafting of this book’s arguments and the gathering of its wealth of information, however off-putting the perspective and conclusion may be for some readers.
New Scientist (UK)
A small classic on a big topic. Practical but visionary . . . Mayer Hillman has a way of getting to the heart of things.
The Guardian (UK)
Hillman’s political thinking might be disputable, but he provides vital, practical information to help individuals adopt an energy-thrifty lifestyle.
The Independent (UK)
Mayer Hillman advocates radical changes that would ensure a future for our children.