Review of Decarbonising Earth

[Seetha E]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Decarbonising Earth" by Paul Benny.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Decarbonising Earth: Understanding and Acting on Climate Change is authored by Paul Benny. This book makes us aware of the role of human intervention in disturbing the environmental balance. The book also educates readers on the various means that need to be adopted to slow, pause, and stop this rapid degradation. The book will interest the general population as much as anyone ready to dig into the depths of the subject. Paul lends credibility to the content with his experience as a management consultant for nearly 30 years, with over two decades assisting businesses in integrating sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).

The book begins by introducing readers to the science of climate change and the role of human activity in rising carbon dioxide levels from 280 ppm pre-industrial to over 420 ppm today. The author also lists the other greenhouse gases (GHGs) involved. We, as laypeople, sense the change in temperatures and seasons. Many parts of the world have experienced cyclones, hurricanes, floods, and other natural calamities. I was aware of permafrost thawing. Terms like the albedo effect, urban heat islands, and carbon leakage were new to me. Learning about the large-scale biodiversity loss and its cascading impact on ecosystems was alarming. The author highlights how these are the impacts of ‘just’ a 1.2°C change on average since 1880. The author then explains the urgent need to limit this rise to below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C.

The chapters discuss various impacts of our careless attitude on the environment, society, and the economy. The book also highlights that remedial measures pose a fair share of challenges. Thus, the book urges that this has to be dealt with from all possible levels—individuals, businesses, and governments—by implementing small and big measures to tackle this impending doom-like scenario.

I commend the author’s efforts in gathering several resourceful articles in one place. These links also substantiate his statements. The text is presented in easy-to-digest vocabulary and is supplemented with charts and illustrations. The author draws our attention to what constitutes a ‘high-impact story’ for the modern media, urging them to mend their ways and use the powerful medium effectively. The properly marked references, glossary list of acronyms, and an index at the end make it easy to access the resources.

Sadly, the developed/rich countries don’t seem interested in fairly sharing the burden. Most big businesses are more interested in ensuring their profit percentages. Hence, in my eyes, the middle-class people, a big chunk of the population worldwide, hold power. We must switch to a minimalist and sustainable lifestyle: reduce unnecessary consumption and choose to repair and reuse. We must support businesses that are sensitive to environmental conservation. It will force business houses to mend their ways and urge governments to drive policies that align with the demands of the present times. Also, constantly look out for indigenous ways to solve problems and freely share information.

Certain sections overlapped and felt repetitive. I did pick up errors. Though they did not negatively impact my reading experience, I recommend another round of editing. These aspects take away one star. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

If you wish to increase your knowledge of the role of carbon dioxide in climate change and the ways of positive human intervention in simple terms, this book is for you. If you feel ready to dig deep into inferences drawn from well-researched sources, you will find this book resourceful. I recommend this book to everyone interested in learning ways to decarbonize, as the smallest contribution is valuable.

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Decarbonising Earth
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[Mikaelly Vitoria]

Decarbonizing Earth by Paul Benny is an informative and educational read that addresses one of the most urgent global challenges of our time—climate change. The book clearly outlines the ways human activities have disrupted environmental balance and provides a well-grounded, practical guide to slowing, stopping, and reversing the damage. Its biggest strength lies in how it blends accessible scientific information with real-world actions, targeting both everyday readers and those in corporate or policymaking roles.

Paul Benny's experience as a management consultant, with over two decades dedicated to sustainability and ESG, lends credibility to his insights. He introduces readers to important climate-related terms such as greenhouse gases (GHGs), permafrost melt, albedo effect, urban heat islands, and carbon leakage. While some of these concepts may be unfamiliar to the average reader, the author explains them in a clear, approachable way—though occasionally the amount of technical detail might feel overwhelming for beginners.

One of the book’s strongest points is how it connects global warming to extreme weather events already affecting us: cyclones, floods, shifting seasons. This makes the subject more immediate and relatable. The discussion on biodiversity loss and its cascading effects on ecosystems is particularly alarming and thought-provoking.

However, one area that felt lacking was a deeper critique of the political and economic barriers to large-scale climate action. While the book emphasizes solutions and maintains a hopeful tone, it sometimes overlooks the complexity of implementing these measures in the real world.

Overall, this is a valuable and timely read for anyone seeking to better understand climate change and how we can all play a part in addressing it. I would recommend it especially to those interested in environmental science, sustainability, or global policy.

[Arshadq]

Right now this is one of the biggest issues for humanity. It needs to be taken more seriously and we need people to raise awareness! I appreciate that the author has taken time to try and teach some people about this issue and make them understand what we are causing. I think the most important part is taking about how we implement these measures in the real world, and it is sad that the author does not go in depth here. Thank you for this review, can't wait to read more from you!

[Seetha E]

Right now this is one of the biggest issues for humanity. It needs to be taken more seriously and we need people to raise awareness! I appreciate that the author has taken time to try and teach some people about this issue and make them understand what we are causing. I think the most important part is taking about how we implement these measures in the real world, and it is sad that the author does not go in depth here. Thank you for this review, can't wait to read more from you!

That's very true- this is an issue that needs immediate action. While the concerns, possible solutions, and challenges are being discussed, the aspect of putting a definitive onus on parties that can make it impactful was overlooked. I believe that those with extensive experience in the field should also emphasize this aspect in their conversations.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Surabhi Rani]

'Official Review: Decarbonizing Earth' by Paul Benny has a worthwhile introduction. It sheds light on the important features of the nonfiction book. The book educates readers on various means that need to be adopted to stop the environmental imbalance. It also discusses the various aspects of our careless attitude toward the environment, society, and economy. Remedial measures need to be taken by individuals, businesses, and the government. I like the idea of looking out for indigenous ways to solve the problem. It was great to learn that the book is resourceful!