Climate Code Red: The Case for Emergency Action

In this persuasive and very frightening overview of global warming, Spratt, a climate policy advocate, and Sutton, president of the Sustainable Living Foundation, argue that “we cannot continue at the meandering, slow pace dictated by 'business and politics as usual’ but require a 'planned, rapid transition and economic restructuring... a climate 'state of emergency.’ ” Citing scientists’ mounting concern that we may have already reached “tipping points” of catastrophic polar melting, species extinction and ecosystem collapse, the authors show that “political pragmatism” and compromise has resulted in “solutions that, even if fully implemented, would not solve the problems” and discuss psychological denial, “the process of refusing to acknowledge the existence, or severity, of unpleasant events” that characterizes the failure to meaningfully address climate change. Their practical solutions for reversing global warming and return to a “safe climate zone” include the familiar combinations of efficiency, renewable energy sources and “carbon sequestration” and rationing in the form of a “personal carbon 'smart card.’ ” Spratt and Sutton make an unimpeachable case that “a sustainability emergency is not a radical idea. It has become necessary to save our future.” (Apr.)