How To Save Our Planet: The Facts

by Mark A. Maslin

Overview

How can we save our planet and survive the 21st century? How can you argue with deniers? How can we create positive change in the midst of the climate crisis? Professor Mark Maslin has the key facts that we need to protect our future.

Global awareness of climate change is growing rapidly. Science has proven that our planet and species are facing a massive environmental crisis. How to Save Our Planet is a call to action, guaranteed to equip everyone with the knowledge needed to make change.

We need to deal with: climate change, environmental destruction, global poverty and ensure everyone's security. We have the technology. We have the resources. We have the money. We have the scientists, the entrepreneurs and the innovators. We lack the politics and policies to make your vision of a better world happen.

This is your go-to handbook for saving our precious planet. From the history of our planet and species, to the potential of individuals and our power to create a better future, Maslin inspires optimism in these bleak times. It's time to face the facts and save our planet from, and for, ourselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780241472521
Publisher:	Penguin Random House UK
Publication date:	01/01/2022
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	4.50(w) x 7.25(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Mark A. Maslin is Professor of Earth System Science at University College London and a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit scholar. Mark is the author of 8 popular books including The Human Planet and Cradle of Humanity, which Professor Brian Cox called 'exhilarating'.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Introduction 4

Chapter 1 History of Our Planet 10

Facts and figures about the origin of the Universe and Earth, our unique planet. This chapter provides you with background knowledge of our precious planet, the evolution of life on Earth and the emergence of modern humans.

Chapter 2 History of Humanity 22

Facts and figures about the development of human society. This chapter provides you with background knowledge of the whole of human history from the hunter-gatherers through to the reign of consumer capitalism.

Chapter 3 State of Our World 46

Facts and figures about the huge human impact on Earth. This chapter provides you with insights into the state of our planet, both in terms of the environment and our global human society.

Chapter 4 Taxonomy of Denial 64

These are confusing times, with a Lot of misinformation and fake news about climate change and environmental destruction. This chapter provides you with an insight into the tricks used by climate/environmental change deniers to dissuade you from taking rapid action.

Chapter 5 Potential Futures - Nightmare or Ecotopia? 76

This chapter provides you with a clear vision of how bad the world could be if we do not deal with climate change and environmental degradation. It also provides an alternative vision of what the world could be like if we do everything possible to alleviate our climate, environmental and social crises.

Chapter 6 Power of the Individual 96

We have the power to control our own lives and influence those around us - this chapter provides a clear set of positive actions that you as an individual can take. Individuals are our power base for change.

Chapter 7 Corporate Positive Power 118

Businesses control our lives: what we eat, what we buy, what we watch and even who we vote for. This chapter discusses how we can harness the positive power of corporations, so we can change the world. Companies are one of our major weapons of change.

Chapter 8 Government Solutions 136

Governments look after our safety and our wellbeing. They control the aspirations of civil society through the rule of law and the development of policy. This chapter discusses how regulation, taxation, subsidies and incentives all play a role in how governments can make our societies more sustainable and ultimately reduce our carbon emissions to zero. Governments drive innovation.

Chapter 9 Saving Our Planet and Ourselves 156

This chapter summarizes what we need to do by 2050 to create the future we all want, firstly, by stabilizing the climate, and secondly by protecting the environment for the wellbeing of all life on Earth, thereby enabling the 10 billion humans there will then be on Earth to have the best possible life.

Afterword The new world post Covid-19. 180

References 185

Extra Facts about Our Planet: Earth Facts and figures about our beautiful home. 223

Further Reading 229

Acknowledgements 239

Index 241