Carbon Detox (Gaia Thinking) by George Marshall

Carbon Detox (Gaia Thinking) Reviews

• 
  George Marshall

  OK- I admit that I wrote it so I am a bit biased! But still I am not easily pleased bymy own work and I think it says some interesting things that other 'what to do books' don't say. But tell me what you think.
• 
  Joséphine

  This is a nice practical guide to reduce our own greenhouse gases emissions. (No, I'm not talking about farts, I promise) Just a heads-up, this was written in 2007, but I think most of this is still valid. The first parts are about the psychology of Climate Change, which I found pretty interesting. Some topics are presented in a way that's a little outdated now, 12 years later, as in west Europe the vast majority of us believe in climate change and its future desastrous effects. Even if we're not much closer to a 'light' living, apparently.
  
  Among other things, George Marshall blames the way we've been incited to make little gestures to 'save the planet'. Gestures that often feel empty, and indeed, the tips we're given are presented as equally effective when in reality there's a 100-factor, or even a 1000-factor between them.
  
  

  Typical tips with their actual savings
  Format: Tip (Kg of CO2 saved per year)
  
  Never use a new plastic bag (5 kg)
  Change one standard lightbulb to a low-energy lightbulb (17 kg)
  Never leave your TV on standby (25 kg)
  Turn down heating by one degree (230 kg)
  Commute to work by bus instead of car (400 kg for an average UK commute in an average car)
  Become a vegetarian (500 kg)
  Make one fewer flight (500-12,000 kg depending on the flight)

  
  
  There are many things we tell ourselves to justify not doing anything:
  - denial about doing nothing (we're going to change soon, we promise ourselves, like a tobacco addict)
  - not trusting the people who're telling us 'It's time to act NOW!' like these annoying environmentalists (just kidding dad, ily)
  - feeling helpless
  - feeling like we're too busy and have enough problems with things as they are
  - feeling like we're already doing enough for the environment (but, hey! I'm recycling!)
  - why should I make life harder for myself, with no reward, when my neighbour is still driving a gigantic car, heating his gigantic house and flying at every vacation?
  
  Of course Marshall makes you lose your illusions about the validity of these arguments real fast. Now that I've spoiled almost the whole first half of the book... The second part is about counting our greenhouse gases emissions per year, with the help of the 'carbo', a unit that accounts for many greenhouse gases: a carbo has the same climate-change effect as 1 kg of CO2. There are 6 categories: House, Car, Public transport, Flights, Food, Goods and services.
  
  The counting part is both fun (counting!) and scary (oh my gosh, that's a lot). In my case, as a vegetarian living in a small place, owning no car, I get a "score" of 4,200 carbos (rounding up, because there are too many approximations here). Which is well below the UK average of 12,530 carbos but there are ways to lower it some more. And I don't live in the UK, but it doesn't matter.
  
  After the carbos counting, George Marshall gives a lot of actually efficient tips to 'drop a tonne' in emissions. I'm already doing some of them, and curently looking for precise information about the environmental cost of shipping. There's not much of it online.
• 
  Ben Thurley

  It's a few years old now, but this is still one of the best books on making a personal response to climate change I have ever read. George Marshall builds on the metaphor of climate change as a roller-coaster ride that has already begun the ascent, building up energy for the scary ride we are collectively committing ourselves too.
  
  

  Climate change is still on its lift hill. We know that things are steadily ratcheting up. There’s less snow there are sudden and extreme downpours and strangely warm winters with daffodils coming up three months early. We hear of typhoons, droughts and fires in other parts of the world. (63)... So far, very few people have cottoned on to what kind of ride awaits us. There are a few people at the front of the car pointing and shouting: ‘Look how high this damned thing goes’, but few of us are listening. Yes, we know that we are going up, but it still feels OK so we are not too worried ... yet. (67)

  
  
  Marshall's writing is thoughtful, provocative, spiked with humour, and his approach to communicating the climate challenge is psychologically robust. His aim is to help readers identify the weight of their contribution to the problem of climate change, and shed that weight as far and as fast as possible:
  
  

  In this book I encourage you to abandon the usual messages about the things you can do to prevent climate change. I don’t ask you to ‘save the planet’. I don’t pretend that small, easy steps will ‘make a difference’. I want you to be true to what you know and believe and to change the way you think before you change the way you live. (26)

  
  
  Detoxing from carbon and stepping back from the harm we are contributing to is something he challenges us to do because we come to want to, because it's the smart 21st Century way of living and because we don't want to contribute to a problem that is hurting people. The carbon calculator and suggestions for emissions reductions are well mapped out and comprehensive, though some are more appropriate to audiences in the UK than elsewhere of course.
  
  Highly recommended.
  
  
• 
  Sakshi

  I've just discovered this book, five years after its publication, but it's still so pertinent, even though it's tailored to chilly UK when I'm a sub-tropical Australian. It's ideal for virtually anyone on the carbon-reality-awareness scale, but is an especially good introduction; George's lightness, humour and optimism are so refreshingly rare and accessible. I found it very heavily reduced (sorry George..) and bought a few copies to lend out.
• 
  Daphiny

  Beautifully written, the best book I have ever read about environmental activism. A light and smooth reading for almost every moment. This book may easily wide your view from activism in general, give some new information in climate change and induce a refresh to the ways you act and influence people.
• 
  Lera

  Seems great at first glance - friendly, positive, not patronising...
• 
  Mark

  very inspiring, not only highlighting the problems we face, but provide solutions for the future