Heat How to Stop the Planet from Burning

1. Monbiot makes a powerful argument, but it is impossible to ignore the fact that there are still people who don't believe in global warming, or don't believe that our carbon dioxide emissions are to blame. How convinced are you that Monbiot is right?2. Monbiot quotes George Orwell: "The lady in the Rolls-Royce car is more damaging to morale than a fleet of Goering's bombing planes." His point is that sacrifices are easier to bear when they are shared by all. How willing would you be to do what you think is right to fight climate change, even if your friends or neighbours did not? For example, would you consider not flying?3. What do you think the world will look like in 2030?4. Doing something about climate change is clearly going to cost money, but a massive shift in technology and lifestyle will also mean that a lot of people are going to make money. What looks like a good bet for the coming decades?5. Monbiot has said "This is no longer a matter of moral choice. It is a matter of moral necessity." In other words, if we don't act now, we're not just wrong, we'reguilty. How do you feel about accepting this burden of responsibility?6. Monbiot points out that the wealthy countries got that way by exploiting fossil fuels. By this formula, demanding that developing countries not burn coal and oil is a lot like demanding that they not raise their standard of living, or at least not raise it as fast as they otherwise would. What are the ethical implications of asking someone else to live in poverty in order to save the world?7. Though there are many, many exceptions to this, it seems that the younger you are, the more aware you are of climate change. What do you say to a parent or older relative who drives an SUV and flies a lotand give no impression that he or she is aware of doing anything wrong?8. The scale of the changes Monbiot proposes is massive. Do you think it is possible to achieve a 90% cut? What will be the easiest changes to make? What will be the hardest?9. Canadian political parties are getting "greener" by the day. Which party is most convincingly serious about the environment? Will the environment be a decisive issue for you in the next election? Would you consider working on the campaign of the candidate you think it doing the best job for the environment?10. What will be the first thing you do to diminish your carbon footprint?Monbiot, George is the author of 'Heat How to Stop the Planet from Burning', published 2006 under ISBN 9780385662215 and ISBN 0385662211.