It is hard to write a book on the climate crisis. Acknowledging the magnitude of the problem is likely to leave readers feeling depressed and powerless, but underestimating the crisis could lead to fatal complacency. It takes a very talented writer to baldly state the facts, whilst also leaving the reader empowered to take action. In A Climate of Truth, Berners-Lee has done just that, establishing himself as one of the UK’s premier science writers.
That said, A Climate of Truth is one of the scarier books I’ve read. In the first chapter, Berners-Lee outlines the “polycrisis” of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, food insecurity and pollution that we are sleepwalking into. If nothing is done, the next hundred years are likely to be extremely uncomfortable. Berners-Lee does not shy away from highlighting some of the more terrifying consequences, including Amazon rainforest collapse – likely to occur by mid-century – and shutdown of the ocean circulation that helps keep Europe warm, which might happen in the next 5 years. Unlike many books on climate change though, Berners-Lee then digs deeper into the “layers” of the polycrisis, investigating the main schools of thought that are preventing humanity from exiting this hole we have dug for ourselves.
Berners-Lee’s anger for the malignant influences fuelling the “polycrisis” shines throughout the book. He is refreshingly direct, condemning in equal measure climate change deniers, fossil fuel companies, the last Tory government, and someone who is in all likelihood Boris Johnson but remains unnamed for legal reasons. In common with fellow science writer George Monbiot, who once stated “the greatest threat to biodiversity is poetry”, Berners-Lee stresses the importance of the media in climate action. He denounces almost all British papers except The Guardian and Observer for peddling climate-related lies, and pours scorn on the BBC for being cowed by successive Tory governments and spreading climate misinformation. It is a sweeping list of condemnations that reveal how deeply entrenched climate denialism is in society.
Given the magnitude of the various crises, it is hard to see how anyone could present satisfactory individual actions. In contrast to his previous book, How Bad Are Bananas, Berners-Lee presents truth, instead of limiting personal footprints, as a critical lever for change. Though actions such as participating in local elections and consuming high quality media could be seen as trivial, the author argues that communication is just as important as our actions when it comes to climate change. Hence why I’m writing this article. That said, Berners-Lee does discuss the powerlessness many, including me, feel when faced with climate breakdown. Such a global issue reminds us of our insignificance. But maybe if global leaders had a bit more humility we would not be in this mess.
A Climate of Truth provides a lucid account of how rife our complacency about the climate is in society, and is a vital read for anyone wanting to understand how western society needs to change in order to solve our greatest challenge. However, I would particularly recommend this book to fellow students. In his last chapter, Berners-Lee writes about how to use your career to have the greatest positive impact. I’m sure I’m not alone in having frequent existential crises about what I’m going to do post-uni; I found A Climate of Truth helpful in that it highlighted jobs with the greatest potential for climate action. I’m not going to tell you what they are – you’ll have to read the book.
Crucially though, Berners-Lee does not recommend burning yourself out trying to save a burning planet. This is echoed by the author’s quiet joie de vivre which acts as a nice counterpoint to the anger and determination woven through the book. In Berners-Lee’s own words, “there is no point in saving a world that’s no fun to live in”.