The Carbon War

The Carbon War documents the global struggle over climate change and fossil fuels through the eyes of Jeremy Leggett, a geologist-turned-environmental advocate. The book tracks key developments in climate science, energy policy, and international negotiations during the 1990s. In this firsthand account, Leggett reveals the inner workings of both the oil industry and the environmental movement. His unique perspective comes from his transition from working within the petroleum sector to becoming an outspoken advocate for renewable energy and climate action. The narrative follows major climate conferences, scientific breakthroughs, and industry battles that shaped global environmental policy. Leggett recounts meetings with key figures in government, science, business, and activism as the world grappled with emerging evidence of climate change. The Carbon War captures a pivotal moment in environmental history, illustrating the complex interplay between science, industry, and politics in addressing global challenges. The book serves as both a historical record and a cautionary tale about the obstacles to achieving meaningful climate action.

Readers describe The Carbon War as a detailed insider account of climate policy battles from 1980-2000. Reviews highlight Leggett's first-hand perspective as both an industry geologist and Greenpeace scientist. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex climate science - Behind-the-scenes look at key negotiations and industry meetings - Personal narrative style that makes policy debates engaging - Documentation of oil industry tactics and lobbying efforts Common criticisms: - Bias against fossil fuel companies - Too much focus on UK/European events - Some dated information (published 2001) - Technical jargon in certain sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (52 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (12 reviews) Amazon US: 4.2/5 (8 reviews) One reader noted: "Reads like a thriller but it's all true." Another criticized: "The author's environmental activism colors his perspective too heavily."

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🌍 Jeremy Leggett transitioned from being a consultant for the oil industry to becoming Greenpeace's scientific director, giving him rare insider perspective from both sides. ⚡ The 1990s marked the first time climate science became a significant factor in global policy discussions, with the creation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992. 🏢 The book reveals how major oil companies internally acknowledged climate change risks while publicly promoting doubt about climate science. 🌡️ During the period covered in the book, global CO2 emissions increased by approximately 12%, despite growing scientific evidence of climate impacts. 📊 The narrative includes detailed accounts of pivotal moments like the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol negotiations, which established the first binding climate targets.