Kyoto2: How to Manage the Global Greenhouse
Kyoto2: How to Manage the Global Greenhouse – Review
This is a short, intense and very clear book, with a clear and complete exhibition of the Kyoto 2 proposal for actually saving the world. Nothing less. If you’re apparently hoping for deep account of the numbers which Tickell uses to make his case, you’ll have to dig into his general bibliography. Kyoto 2 critics should make sure they do that before officially opening fire. All engineers will find something to annoy them – Tickell cites the Severn Barrage, wind power, nuclear fusion, hydrogen, carbon take and fuel cells as amounts of the solution, and every engineer is totally opposed to at least one of those ideas (take your pick). But so what? Tickell has a succinct and robust set of propositions. You could take away any dozen of the particular technologies and policies he cites, and Kyoto 2 would even look like the only game in town. It’s inherently strong, not at all dependent on any specific technology, and a prisoner to absolutely no ideology. There are several dozen doctoral theses to be had on “the best” way to implement Kyoto 2. Several of them have no doubt already been written. May the detail be done, in fine time. Right now, I only need to get my shoulder behind the wheel. So when the next election occurs, I’ll have a note pinned to my front door thus: “Election canvassers: if your candidate supports Kyoto 2, ring the bell and tell me. Otherwise, go away.” Finally, if you avoid climate change books because the entire subject is such a downer (and is there any deeper downer to be had?), you will find this one a accelerating change. Tickell isn’t going to be gentle with you – this book is more like a walk in the Outer Hebrides in a winter gale – challenging, invigorating, and a terrible hangover cure. Moping ends and action leads.