Climate Change Begins at Home: Life on the Two-Way Street of Global Warming [Hardcover]

'If you're not convinced about climate change, this book will change your mind. It may even change your life.'

'How can Reay be this wise, and still so funny? He has written a brilliant book. Read it and see.'

'This is one of the most easily readable popular science books I've seen in several years. Wonderfully effective.'

'Brilliant work - I am a fan'

'An excellent primer on how to cut your contribution to climate change.'

"Dave Reay’s book Climate Change Begins At Home was a huge inspiration to us when making our films."

"A sparky journey through the connections between global climate and everyday decisions - and how to change them."

Shortlisted for the 2006 Times Higher Young Academic Author of the
Year Award

Climate change is one of the greatest threats that humankind faces in the 21st century. The next hundred years could see coastlines and islands submerged, and a surge in heatwaves, hurricanes, droughts, floods and therefore in pests, disease, famine and displacement. This book argues that while government and industry dither, we could all cut our personal greenhouse gas emissions by 60% - the level necessary to halt the current trend according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. After summarizing today's state of affairs, scientifically and politically, climatologist Dave Reay explores the climate impact of housing, gardening, food, money, work, transport, death even. Packed with provocative case studies, calculations, and lifestyle comparisons, this entertaining and authoritative book makes the complexities of climatology understandable and challenges readers to rethink their notions of 'doing their bit'.

This book quantifies how and why every one of us can and must halt climate change by taking action at home, in the garden, on the way to work, in the office, on holiday, at the supermarket, the bank and even the funeral parlour. Climate Change Begins at Home is an entertaining exploration of how and why we can and must halt climate change - one of greatest threats humankind faces in 21st century.

'The reason I've written this book is simple: I don't want to see the results of mankind's uncontrolled experiment on the planet. I don't want my family and friends to see it, I don't want you or your loved ones to see it. Most of all I don't want our children and grandchildren to see it. I'm frightened by what climate change has in store, really frightened...'

DAVE REAY is a Research Fellow at Edinburgh University. He studies greenhouse gas emissions in environments ranging from the Southern Ocean to evil-smelling drainage ditches. He has written numerous academic and popular articles about his work and is Editor of the leading climate change website ghgonline.org. He lives in a house well above sea level.