From Publishers Weekly
While explaining the science behind global warming in a manner easily accessible to the nonspecialist, Leggett originally a petroleum geologist, then a Greenpeace director and now a solar energy entrepreneur takes us on a whirlwind eight-year personal journey through the world's climate negotiations. From the first major meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 1990 through the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 to the historic Kyoto Climate Summit in 1997, Leggett provides an insider's perspective on the negotiations and many of the key players. As compelling as a good thriller, the book deftly describes the machinations of what Leggett calls "the carbon club" or "the foot soldiers for the fossil-fuel industries." Working behind the scenes, these lobbyists have been successful in stalling and diluting every agreement reached to date. All the while, as Leggett explains, the world warms and climatic disasters increase. Most readers will find it impossible to doubt the reality of global warming and its likely consequences after reading Leggett's account of the past decade. The book's only fault is that since its warmly received publication two years ago in Great Britain, nothing more than a short epilogue written in February 2000 has been added to update readers. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-As a young geologist and as a professor at the Royal School of Mines in England, the author found the hunt for petroleum deposits "a great romance." But, like many scientists in the 1980s, he became convinced by growing evidence that global warming posed a serious danger. Conscience-stricken at the part he had played in bringing about this situation, he moved "from one of the most conservative universities in the world to one of the most radical environmental groups," and began a new career as scientific advisor to Greenpeace. Participating in history-making conferences such as those in Rio and Tokyo, he witnessed the key events and international politics at the end of the 20th century. In vivid detail, his account reveals the people and politics of what he calls the "Carbon Club"-the coalition of industrial and regional interests that sought to confuse the issue and, through various manipulations, derailed an effective movement to address the problem. He argues that only a rapid conversion to solar power can change the dangerous course energy production is following now, but is encouraged by recent signs of a growing understanding of the problem, and by developing cracks in the cohesiveness of the Carbon Club itself. For most teens, this clearly written, fact-packed, and passionate book will be a demanding read, but it offers a wealth of information for those interested in understanding the workings of the real world, and its thorough index will make it an excellent resource for research on global warming and the history of the issue.Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VACopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Book News, Inc.
An industry insider offers a dramatic yet scientific look at the politics and reality surrounding global warming, the oil, gas, and auto industries' attempts to downplay the threat, and the progress of international legislation to change the course of global warming. The author, formerly a professor at the Royal School of Mines, became concerned about environmental issues and joined the international environmental organization Greenpeace. First published in 1999 by Penguin Books Ltd.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


The Economist
"Exciting.fiery.revealing. Leggett provides ample evidence, much of it drawn from first-hand experience.."


London Sunday Times
"Leggett is an excellent storyteller.a must-read for anyone interested in how human activities affect our environment.."


Ross Gelbspan, author of The Heat is On
"An extremely valuable piece of work.a wonderful and most important contribution."."


John Gribbin, Sunday Times
"The best book yet about the politics of global warming.."


Book Description
Excessive burning of oil, gas, and coal is raising our planet's thermostat to unacceptable levels-a problem which as already resulted in increased natural catastrophes: storms, floods, droughts, and fire. Yet big oil companies have repeatedly hijacked efforts to slow global carbon emissions. The Carbon War is a major call-to-arms for the safety of our planet. Throughout the last decade, Jeremy Leggett, a distinguished scientist at Oxford University and former director for Green peace, has worked doggedly to alert human kind to the threat of ecological catastrophe, He contents that the main enemies-Arab countries, the United States government, oil companies, and automobile manufacturers-have used junk science, an army of lobbyists, and outright lies to ensure that their profits stayed safer than the planet's future. With the grace of a novelist and the precision of a scientist, Leggett recount his maddening interactions with scientific councils, international governmental meetings, and business leaders. Still, despite the government's backpedaling on eco-promises, the media's laziness, and fossil fuel company rhetoric, the transition to solar energy is coming, he argues. Called the "best book yet about the politics of global worming" by John Gribbin the London Sunday Times, The Carbon War is a riveting read and a critical contribution to the fight for sustainable energy.


Book Info
(Taylor and Francis) Pocket-sized discussion of the conflict between the big oil companies, and international efforts to stop excessive burning of oil, gas, and coal, which is raising the level of carbon in the atmosphere and causing a number of distressing environmental problems. A critical contribution to the cause for creating sustainable energy sources. Softcover. DLC: Global warming.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Excessive burning of oil, gas, and coal is raising our planet's thermostat to unacceptable levels-a problem which as already resulted in increased natural catastrophes: storms, floods, droughts, and fire. Yet big oil companies have repeatedly hijacked efforts to slow global carbon emissions.

The Carbon War is a major call-to-arms for the safety of our planet. Throughout the last decade, Jeremy Leggett, a distinguished scientist at Oxford University and former director for Green peace, has worked doggedly to alert human kind to the threat of ecological catastrophe, He contents that the main enemies-Arab countries, the United States government, oil companies, and automobile manufacturers-have used junk science, an army of lobbyists, and outright lies to ensure that their profits stayed safer than the planet's future.

With the grace of a novelist and the precision of a scientist, Leggett recount his maddening interactions with scientific councils, international governmental meetings, and business leaders. Still, despite the government's backpedaling on eco-promises, the media's laziness, and fossil fuel company rhetoric, the transition to solar energy is coming, he argues. Called the "best book yet about the politics of global worming" by John Gribbin the London Sunday Times, The Carbon War is a riveting read and a critical contribution to the fight for sustainable energy.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal