1st Edition

The Climate Diet How You Can Cut Carbon, Cut Costs, and Save the Planet

By Jonathan Harrington Copyright 2008
    208 Pages
    by Routledge

    208 Pages
    by Routledge

    The atmosphere is getting fat on our carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and it needs our help. We live in a world of excess, consuming too much of everything-food, clothes, cars, toys, shoes, bricks, and mortar. Our bingeing is often so extreme that it threatens our own health and wellbeing. And we are not the only ones who are getting sick. The Earth, which provides the food, air, water, and land that sustains us, is also under severe pressure. We either take steps to put our personal and planetary systems back into balance or we suffer the consequences. So, what does any unhealthy overweight person do when the doctor tells him or her that they are eating themselves into an early grave? Go on a diet! This is the must-have guide to the most important diet ever, explaining climate change concepts, problems, and solutions in ways that anyone can easily understand. Following a six-step climate diet plan, families will be able to count their carbon calories and learn how to reduce them, leaving us with a slim healthy planet now and for the future.

    Cool Strategies for a Warming World * Ten Good Reasons to Go On a Climate Diet * Going for the Gold: The Nuts and Volts of Climate Diet Success * Less Is More: Creating a Climate Diet Home * Finding the Right Balance: Heating, Cooling, and Outside Spaces * Shopping, Eating, Recycling, and More * Hit the Road the Climatewise Way * Community Strategies for a Better Climate * Putting It All Together: Your Climate Diet Results * Epilogue: Our Lifestyle-Her Life * Index

    Biography

    Dr Jonathan Harrington is an associate professor of international relations at Troy University, Alabama, USA. He has authored more than 15 articles on environment and development issues. He lives near Seattle, WA, USA.

    'Understanding that global warming is real and must be dealt with is a critical first step, but this does not fix the problem. The Climate Diet is filled with practical advice on what to do next-how to reduce the climate change our children will have to endure, and how, in many cases, to save money while doing so.' Michael MacCracken, Chief Scientist for Climate Change Programs, Climate Institute, Washington D.C. 'There is much to recommend in this book. It's chief virtue lies in its approach. The diet analogy should work with students and the use of data tables opens up a wealth of ideas for education. Although aimed at a general audience I would suggest it would be an idea text for sustainable education courses and teacher training programmes. Getting students involved in this sort of work could actually make the difference the author seeks.' Dr Paul S Ganderton, TENews 'This book is an essential handbook for anyone with an environmental conscience that has been agitated by the media but left wanting of facts. The author uses simple tables of statistics to emphasise energy and emission saving points, and summarises handy tips for use at home at every chapter's conclusion.' Sherkin Comment 'A comprehensive guide to eating well and saving the planet. In this down-to-earth book, Harrington offers information and advice, and provides a checklist of recommendations to get us on the road to eating and living more sustainably.' Food Ethics 'A solid choice for anyone concerned about the environment.' Midwest Book Review 'The book is well pitched to families who want practical steps for reducing domestic carbon emissions... An optimistic, motivating read.' Environmental Law Foundation 'This is an unusual book appealing to individuals and families by focusing on the household carbon footprint... Recommended. General readers; undergraduates through professionals.' Choice 'Here's a diet that will leave us not grouchy and wanting, but happier, a little richer, and on a sweeter planet!' Bill McKibben, author Deep Economy and The End of Nature 'In order to lose weight, you need to eat less and exercise more. In order to save our planet, we need to consume less and conserve more. The Climate Diet is a sensible, inspiring prescription for cutting back on our materialistic lifestyles and restoring planetary health.' J. Matthew Sleeth, M.D., author of Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action 'Want to help stop global warming and save the planet? Here's how!' Mother Jones 'The Climate Diet is a lightweight, easy-to-read book that delivers digestible chunks of information, hints and tips.' The Environmentalist Magazine 'The book is so convincing that it is able to vitalize environmental thinking even for those people, who did not consider their behaviour earlier from the environmental point of view...This is a great achievement of Harrington!' Zentralblatt F�r Geologie und Pal�ontologie Teil II