An Appeal to Reason: A Cool Look at Global Warming
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Product Description
In the 1960s we were warned that the population explosion would lead to mass global starvation. In the 1970s we were warned that the planet was running out of natural resources and that world economic growth would grind to a halt within our lifetimes. When the planet's temperature, which had been gently rising for some 400 years, appeared to be falling again, scientists warned us that we were facing the disaster of a new ice age. In the past year, sensational warnings about climate change have dominated the headlines as we are told that global warming will have disastrous consequences in the very near future unless we take drastic measures now. In this cautious and reasoned treatise on an issue that effects each and every one of us, former Energy Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Margaret Thatcher government years, Nigel Lawson, argues that it is time to take a cooler look at global warming. Lawson, father of famed cookbook author, looks at the facts behind the headlines and explains that science is only part of the story. For governments to make informed decisions about the path ahead they must listen to economists as well as scientists, utilizing economic forecasting to assess the likely evolution of the world economy, and even more urgently, economic analysis: what is the most cost-effective way of tackling this issue? We also need an understanding of exactly what measures are politically realistic on a global scale. At a time when politicians and the media are stirring up public and political hysteria on the subject of climate change, Lawson has written a timely disquisition urging us to take into account all the facts in order to deal with the threat of global warming.
Spotlight Customer Reviews:
Summary:
A very worthwhile book
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Comment:
"An Appeal to Reason: A Cool Look at Global Warming" is a very good and a calm look at the data and the models and the ideas on the current trend of Climate Change.
I strongly recommend this book for folks who want to make a little more sense of "Global Warming" claims. The author has very good credentials and knows the subject material. And, possibly most important, he does not have his own political agenda.
Read this book!
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Summary:
A Strong Case foe Reason
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Comment:
This is an excellent, well-reasoned review of the scientific, economic and political aspects of global warming. It is a thorough but concise analysis, one much needed to counter the hysteria that has been spread uncritically by the media and the educational systems. It should be required reading for anyone who has an interest in this important subject. The book is a much-needed antidote to counter the penetration into the public's mind that Al Gore and his alarmist compatriates have achieved. The author is well informed about all aspects of global warming due to his years front-line experience in analyzing the problem for the British govenment and the British people.
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Summary:
Good book just not the easiest to read
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Comment:
I don't want to fault this author in particular because it's just hard finding good books on the subject that are enjoyable to read. State of Fear was great but most people think there is no reality in it.
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Summary:
Excellent book
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Comment:
This short but accurate and very professional analysis of the "global warming" hype by a former UK Secretary for Energy .
N.Lawson obviously knows all the politically and economically related issues .
But he also did an impressive research (references and web sites enclosed) on the scientific issues .
But aspects are given in a highly readable and clear style .
Anybody looking for an objective and coomplete yet rather short account concerning the climate and mankind has here a must read .
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Summary:
Best book I've read on global warming
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Comment:
Global warming is like politics and religion. We like to share our own views. We do not like to hear views from the other side. We're right. They're wrong. Enough said. No one listens to the other. It's a dialogue of the deaf.
That is because, as a rule, our views on global warming center on emotion, not on reason. This book comes close to breaking that rule. Not that Nigel Lawson doesn't make his own view clear. He does. But he uses reason more than emotion. The book focuses more on supporting his view, less on attacking the views of others. That "appeal to reason" (the title of his book) is refreshing.
And Lawson is very bright. His analysis is sharp, and his research impeccable. Having read a lot on global warming, I knew a lot before this book. I know more now. That, as much as anything, makes me recommend the book.
Be forewarned, though. Lawson speaks with far from a disinterested, pure voice. He gets in his digs on the views of others. His comments on the Stern Review are particularly stern. Better if he had stuck to presenting his own views, and not attacked the views of others.
Still, Lawson's appeal to reason makes a lot of good points, mostly in a logical rather than emotional way. Regardless of your views on global warming, give this book a read.
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