Climate Realism : Facing the Facts about Energy

Explains why efforts to tackle climate change are falling short: there is no real transition under way, targets are poorly designed, 'clean' energy does not truly exist, renewables remain expensive, offsets rarely work, and there are no easy escape routes. Written by one of the UK's leading commentators on energy policy and climate change.

The only meaningful way to understand climate change and wider environmental harm is to begin with the facts. We need an honest assessment of what is working and what is not. The challenges are significant: carbon levels in the atmosphere are still rising, a genuine energy transition has yet to begin, and global energy demand is expected to rise sharply. Renewables remain expensive, nuclear power is costly, and carbon offsets are often little more than modern indulgences. Simultaneously, there is no clear route to sustainable growth. Some place their faith in technology or use offsets to ease their consciences, but this is wishful thinking. Written by one of the UK's leading commentators on energy policy and climate change, Climate Realism offers a radical reassessment of our current position. It argues that we must face the real cost of pollution we create and shows how to avoid wasting the years ahead.