George Monbiot

climate change

Via Dolorosa
Corruption and short-termism are pushing us along the path of sorrows. Read more – ‘Via Dolorosa’.
The Great Unmentionable
We have offshored both our consumption and our perceptions Read more – ‘The Great Unmentionable’.
Frozen Assets
Why are we exploiting unconventional gas when we can’t afford to burn existing supplies? Read more – ‘Frozen Assets’.
New Weather, New Politics
The extremes now hammering Australia leave old perspectives stranded. Read more – ‘New Weather, New Politics’.
Forbidden Planet
We cannot restrain climate change without a political fight against plutocracy. Read more – ‘Forbidden Planet’.
Struck Dumb
Why, even now, climate change cannot be mentioned in the presidential election. Read more – ‘Struck Dumb’.
Empty Promise
Could scientists have got the impacts of climate change on food supply wildly wrong? Read more – ‘Empty Promise’.
The Heat of the Moment
Climate breakdown is right here, right now. Read more – ‘The Heat of the Moment’.
Dance With the One Who Brung You
The environment is being trashed because of a failure to reform campaign finance. Read more – ‘Dance With the One Who Brung You’.
False Summit
We were wrong about peak oil: there’s enough in the ground to deep-fry the planet. Read more – ‘False Summit’.
Manipulation Merchant
I accuse the energy secretary of misleading us about his disastrous new bill. Read more – ‘Manipulation Merchant’.
Bonfire of Promises
The government’s new energy bill puts a match to its climate change commitments. Read more – ‘Bonfire of Promises’.
A Letter to David Cameron
Countering the letter sent to him by four former directors of Friends of the Earth Read more – ‘A Letter to David Cameron’.
Anything to Declare?
Christopher Booker’s undisclosed interests illustrate the need for transparency in journalism. Read more – ‘Anything to Declare?’.
Plutocracy, Pure and Simple
Now it’s a straight fight with the billionaires and corporations. Read more – ‘Plutocracy, Pure and Simple’.
Polar Opposites
How weather forecasts became a political issue. Read more – ‘Polar Opposites’.
No Bail-Out for the Planet
Why is it so easy to save the banks, but so hard to save the biosphere? Read more – ‘No Bail-Out for the Planet’.
A Levelling
The Spectator has allowed me to rebut Nils-Axel Morner’s rubbish about sea levels. Read more – ‘A Levelling’.
A Waste of Waste
Why bury nuclear waste, when it could meet the world’s energy needs? Read more – ‘A Waste of Waste’.
The Spectator’s Spectacular Blunder
It is hard to think of a bigger cock-up than the one the magazine’s editor has just made. Read more – ‘The Spectator’s Spectacular Blunder’.
A Random Nonsense-Generating Machine
Christopher Booker’s latest cock-ups almost match his all-time record. Read more – ‘A Random Nonsense-Generating Machine’.
Balloon Debate
Why is the government spending £1.6m on a geo-engineering experiment whose results can never be used? Read more – ‘Balloon Debate’.
Shale Fail
It looks as if the UK government is allowing shale gas fracking companies to regulate themselves. Read more – ‘Shale Fail’.
An Underground National Park
To prevent climate breakdown, we need to declare most of the fossil fuels in the earth’s crust off-limits. Read more – ‘An Underground National Park’.
Underground Movement
The public reaction to new power lines could kill renewable energy: they must be buried. Read more – ‘Underground Movement’.
Pass the Parcel
How will the UK achieve a 50% carbon cut by 2027? By getting someone else to make our stuff. Read more – ‘Pass the Parcel’.
Shaking the Tree
The British government’s demolition programme is now moving on to the environment. Read more – ‘Shaking the Tree’.
Cold-Hearted
The level of excess winter deaths in the UK is higher than Siberia’s. This is why. Read more – ‘Cold-Hearted’.
Cold Burn
Yes, the extreme cold in the UK right now really could be a result of global warming. Read more – ‘Cold Burn’.
Impervious to Learning
David Rose appears to have learnt nothing from his catastrophic mistakes before the Iraq war. Read more – ‘Impervious to Learning’.
Looking for Trouble
Why are we still prospecting for oil when we can’t afford to use existing reserves? Read more – ‘Looking for Trouble’.
Evolving Madness
Why does a crazy set of beliefs in one field seem to migrate into unrelated subjects? Read more – ‘Evolving Madness’.
The Process Is Dead
It’s already clear that the climate talks in December will go nowhere – so what do we do? Read more – ‘The Process Is Dead’.
The Smear Storm Widens
Those who made false accusations against Rajendra Pachauri are now turning their fire on me. Read more – ‘The Smear Storm Widens’.
The Smearing of an Innocent man
The report we publish for the first time today proves that the serious charges made against Rajendra Pachauri are completely untrue. Read more – ‘The Smearing of an Innocent man’.
Right and Wrong
Why climate science divides people along political lines. Read more – ‘Right and Wrong’.
Filth and Fury
Was I right, when the hacked climate emails were released, to call for Phil Jones to resign? Read more – ‘Filth and Fury’.
A Bookful of Bookerisms
The climate change deniers are digging themselves an ever deeper hole over ‘Amazongate’ Read more – ‘A Bookful of Bookerisms’.
Madder and Madder
Lord Monckton’s increasingly extravagant claims threaten to destroy the movement he champions Read more – ‘Madder and Madder’.
Out of Sight, Out of Trouble
A new report shows how the UK could tap into vast renewable resources, without any of the aggro caused by existing wind farms. Read more – ‘Out of Sight, Out of Trouble’.
Debate with Steve Easterbrook
We explore the mutual incomprehension across the climate emails divide Read more – ‘Debate with Steve Easterbrook’.
Walled In
Science and humanities students view each other with incomprehension: blame our dumb, narrow schooling. Read more – ‘Walled In’.
Jonathan Porritt’s Strange Slurs
I learn, once again, that telling brutal truths isn’t the best way of winning friends Read more – ‘Jonathan Porritt’s Strange Slurs’.
The German Disease
The scheme for supporting renewables that the UK is importing from Germany has been a disaster there. Read more – ‘The German Disease’.
The Unpersuadables
In fighting for science, we subscribe to a comforting illusion: that people can be swayed by the facts. Read more – ‘The Unpersuadables’.
Treachery or Common Sense?
I’m being hounded for taking a stand against feed-in tariffs: here’s a riposte to the critics. Read more – ‘Treachery or Common Sense?’.
Is the Earth Flat?
A TV debate about whether climate change is happening Read more – ‘Is the Earth Flat?’.
A Great Green Rip-Off
The feed-in tariffs about to be introduced here are extortionate, useless and deeply regressive. Read more – ‘A Great Green Rip-Off’.
Requiem for a Crowded Planet
This is what the failure of the climate talks means. Read more – ‘Requiem for a Crowded Planet’.
Scramble for the Atmosphere
The useless, destructive talks at Copenhagen show that the treaty-making system has scarcely changed in 130 years. Read more – ‘Scramble for the Atmosphere’.
Showdown With Plimer
We’ve finally had our battle, and it was not to his advantage Read more – ‘Showdown With Plimer’.
Here’s Your Speech Mr Obama
This is what the US president should say in Copenhagen Read more – ‘Here’s Your Speech Mr Obama’.
Bust-Up With Boris
I meet the mayor of London and have a good old ding-dong Read more – ‘Bust-Up With Boris’.
This Is About Us
The talks at Copenhagen are not just about climate change. They represent a battle to redefine humanity. Read more – ‘This Is About Us’.
UKIP’s latest acquisition
Is Lord Monckton an asset or a liability? Read more – ‘UKIP’s latest acquisition’.
The Real Climate Scandal
Shocked by the hacked emails? Wait till you see what the other side’s been up to. Read more – ‘The Real Climate Scandal’.
Case Studies
Here’s the evidence for the contentions in The Real Climate Scandal Read more – ‘Case Studies’.
The Urgent Threat to World Peace is … Canada
The harm this country could do in the next two weeks will outweigh all the good it has done in a century. Read more – ‘The Urgent Threat to World Peace is … Canada’.
The Knights Carbonic
Yes, the hacked climate emails are damaging. But here’s the one you’d need to see if you wanted to show that manmade global warming is a scam. Read more – ‘The Knights Carbonic’.
Death Denial
Why the sudden surge in climate change denial? Could it be about something else altogether? Read more – ‘Death Denial’.
It Doesn’t Get Madder Than This
The Spectator’s new editor has lost it before he even had it. Read more – ‘It Doesn’t Get Madder Than This’.
Answers Come There None
As the Plimer affair shows, climate change deniers are all leaf and no plums Read more – ‘Answers Come There None’.
Correspondence with Ian Plimer
Here are the emails I’ve exchanged with the climate change denier Ian Plimer. Read more – ‘Correspondence with Ian Plimer’.
Correspondence with the Spectator
Here are the emails I’ve exchanged with the Spectator over the Plimer affair Read more – ‘Correspondence with the Spectator’.
Not Even Wrong
We need a radical new approach to cutting greenhouse gases, and it might have arrived. Read more – ‘Not Even Wrong’.
Pulling Yourself Off the Ground By Your Whiskers
Here is the simple mathematical reason why large scale carbon offsets can’t work Read more – ‘Pulling Yourself Off the Ground By Your Whiskers’.
Stop Building Tanks
Let’s divert the money spent on arms to addressing the real strategic threat. Read more – ‘Stop Building Tanks’.
Crash Landing
As BA reports massive losses, isn’t it time to scrap the airport expansion programme? Read more – ‘Crash Landing’.
How Much Should We Leave in the Ground?
Here are some estimates for how much fossil fuel we can use, and a call for a global moratorium on new prospecting. Read more – ‘How Much Should We Leave in the Ground?’.
An Attack of the Bellamoids
James Lovelock says the government’s enthusiasm for wind farms approaches fascism. What is he on about? Read more – ‘An Attack of the Bellamoids’.
Pyrolising the Planet
The debate over biochar hots up. Read more – ‘Pyrolising the Planet’.
Woodchips With Everything
Here comes the latest utopian catastrophe: the plan to solve climate change with biochar Read more – ‘Woodchips With Everything’.
A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
If you think preventing climate change is politically difficult, look at the political problems of adapting to it. Read more – ‘A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy’.
The Christopher Booker Prize for Climate Change Bullshit
Today I launch a prestigious and coveted award. Who will the lucky winner be? Read more – ‘The Christopher Booker Prize for Climate Change Bullshit’.
David Bellamy Challenged
A spectacular confrontation over climate change Read more – ‘David Bellamy Challenged’.
Andy Harrison Challenged
In the fifth and final interview in the first series of fierce encounters with policy makers, I give the chief executive of easyJet the third degree. Read more – ‘Andy Harrison Challenged’.
Skating on Thin Ice
The freeze got me on my skates, and brought the loonies out of their holes. Read more – ‘Skating on Thin Ice’.
Shaun Spiers Challenged
This is the third of my investigative interviews with policy makers. Read more – ‘Shaun Spiers Challenged’.
A Beardful of Bunkum
David Bellamy’s at it again, with even dafter claims about climate change. Read more – ‘A Beardful of Bunkum’.
Yvo de Boer Challenged
This is the first in my series of interviews with those who hold our future in their hands. None of them are given an easy time. Read more – ‘Yvo de Boer Challenged’.
Whistling in the Wind
The new climate change report falls miles short of what we need. Here are some of the emergency measures it should have contained. Read more – ‘Whistling in the Wind’.
One Shot Left
The latest science suggests that preventing runaway climate change means total decarbonisation. Read more – ‘One Shot Left’.
Picking Up the Gauntlet
Arthur Scargill has challenged me to a duel. Name your date, sir. Read more – ‘Picking Up the Gauntlet’.
Coal Scuttled
The climate camp outside the Kingsnorth power station is contesting the biggest issue of them all Read more – ‘Coal Scuttled’.
Traded Away
A cunning new loophole has wrecked the government’s Climate Change Bill. Read more – ‘Traded Away’.
The Self-Justifying Myth
People love films like The Great Global Warming Swindle, because they tell us what we want to believe. Read more – ‘The Self-Justifying Myth’.
Green Lifeline
A radical new idea could save the world’s ecosystems. But what will it do to the economy? Read more – ‘Green Lifeline’.
Majesty, We Have Gone Mad
An open letter to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Read more – ‘Majesty, We Have Gone Mad’.
Travelling Light
Is the airship a viable alternative to jet travel? Read more – ‘Travelling Light’.
Burnt Out
The government’s plans for clean coal are another great green scam. Read more – ‘Burnt Out’.
An Exchange of Souls
As government documents show, Sir Nicholas Stern accidentally launched a trade in human lives. Read more – ‘An Exchange of Souls’.
Hurray! We’re Going Backwards!
Bush trashed the climate talks. But look what Gore did. Read more – ‘Hurray! We’re Going Backwards!’.
Leave It In The Ground
The climate talks are a stitch-up, as no one is talking about supply. Read more – ‘Leave It In The Ground’.
What Is Progress?
The numbers show that this should be the real question at the Bali talks. Read more – ‘What Is Progress?’.
The Road Well Travelled
Are we already shutting our minds to the consequences of climate change? Read more – ‘The Road Well Travelled’.
The New Coal Age
A vast new opencast pit will ruin local people’s lives and wreck the government’s climate change policies. How was it allowed to happen? Read more – ‘The New Coal Age’.
Did Lord Monckton fabricate a claim on his Wikipedia page?
Read more – ‘Did Lord Monckton fabricate a claim on his Wikipedia page?’.
A Sudden Change of State
A new paper suggests we have been greatly underestimating the impacts of climate change – and the size of the necessary response. Read more – ‘A Sudden Change of State’.
Debate with Clive Hamilton
In which we battle over carbon targets, green tokenism and the economics of climate change. Read more – ‘Debate with Clive Hamilton’.
The Conspiracy Widens
A final response to Alexander Cockburn. Read more – ‘The Conspiracy Widens’.
Alexander Cockburn and the Corruption of Science
This is a response to Alexander Cockburn’s articles on global warming. Read more – ‘Alexander Cockburn and the Corruption of Science’.
Giving Up On Two Degrees
Have we already abandoned our attempts to prevent dangerous climate change? Read more – ‘Giving Up On Two Degrees’.
The Real Climate Censorship
It’s happening, it’s systematic, and it is precisely the opposite story to the one the papers are telling. Read more – ‘The Real Climate Censorship’.
Correspondence with Hamish Mykura
Head of History, Science and Religion, Channel 4 Read more – ‘Correspondence with Hamish Mykura’.
A Lethal Solution
We need a five-year freeze on biofuels, before they wreck the planet. Read more – ‘A Lethal Solution’.
The Target Wreckers
Two ministries seem determined to scupper the government’s plans to combat global warming. Read more – ‘The Target Wreckers’.
Channel 4’s Problem with Science
It doesn’t give a damn about whether the facts stack up – as long as it creates a controversy. Read more – ‘Channel 4’s Problem with Science’.
Just a Lot of Hot Air
An audit of the government’s planned carbon cuts shows they will achieve only half of what it claims.  Read more – ‘Just a Lot of Hot Air’.
Another Species of Denial
The Bush administration will do anything except cut the consumption of fuel. Read more – ‘Another Species of Denial’.
Preparing for Take-Off
The government knows that its airport plans will cancel out all its efforts to tackle climate change. Read more – ‘Preparing for Take-Off’.
Here’s the Plan
For fast and effective action on climate change Read more – ‘Here’s the Plan’.
Selling Indulgences
The trade in carbon offsets is an excuse for business as usual Read more – ‘Selling Indulgences’.
The Water Boom Is Over
Global freshwater supplies could start to determine whether or not we can feed ourselves. Read more – ‘The Water Boom Is Over’.
Small is Useless
Micro generation can’t solve climate change. Read more – ‘Small is Useless’.
Who’s Paying?
When pundits discuss contentious issues on air, they must reveal their financial interests. Read more – ‘Who’s Paying?’.
How Much Reality Can You Take?
Does anyone really want to stop climate change? Read more – ‘How Much Reality Can You Take?’.
An 87% Cut by 2030
That’s what we need in the United Kingdom to avoid catastrophic climate change Read more – ‘An 87% Cut by 2030’.
The Smoke Behind the Deniers’ Fire
It isn’t just Exxon which has funded the climate change deniers – Big Tobacco has also played a strange and disturbing role. Read more – ‘The Smoke Behind the Deniers’ Fire’.
No Quick Fix
Re-engineering the atmosphere could be as dangerous as climate change Read more – ‘No Quick Fix’.
Thanks, But We Still Don’t Need It
Some of the arguments against nuclear power are no longer valid, but it remains the wrong technology. Read more – ‘Thanks, But We Still Don’t Need It’.
The Inspectors Who Look the Other Way
Why won’t anyone enforce our building standards? Read more – ‘The Inspectors Who Look the Other Way’.
A Fondness for Fossil Fuels
If we’re to have a hydrogen economy, we have to secure our supplies of natural gas. Read more – ‘A Fondness for Fossil Fuels’.
We Are All Killers
Until we stop flying Read more – ‘We Are All Killers’.
Buying Complacency
The trade in “carbon offsets” is based on bogus accounting Read more – ‘Buying Complacency’.
Worse Than Fossil Fuel
Biodiesel enthusiasts have accidentally invented the most carbon-intensive fuel on earth Read more – ‘Worse Than Fossil Fuel’.
The Struggle Against Ourselves
Read more – ‘The Struggle Against Ourselves’.
How Much Energy Do We Have?
Are there enough renewables to keep the lights on? The answer will be comforting to no one. Read more – ‘How Much Energy Do We Have?’.
Our Own Nuclear Salesman
The government’s chief scientist appears to have succumbed to politics Read more – ‘Our Own Nuclear Salesman’.
A World Turned Upside Down
The corporations are demanding regulation, and the government is refusing to give it to them Read more – ‘A World Turned Upside Down’.
Faced With This Crisis
The G8 leaders refuse to accept that anything difficult needs to be done about climate change Read more – ‘Faced With This Crisis’.
Going Nowhere
Review of Margaret Thatcher’s 1989 speech to the UN (extract published below). Read more – ‘Going Nowhere’.
Save us from Ourselves
Green hypocrisy means that we can’t tackle climate change without government intervention. Read more – ‘Save us from Ourselves’.
A Restraint of Liberty
Climate change’s unprecedented moral challenge demands that we restrict market freedom Read more – ‘A Restraint of Liberty’.
Junk Science
Climate change denial, as David Bellamy’s claims show, is based on pure hocus pocus Read more – ‘Junk Science’.
A Different Kind of Revolution
Wind power is a technological fix for a political problem. Read more – ‘A Different Kind of Revolution’.
Mocking Our Dreams
Climate change exposes progress as a myth Read more – ‘Mocking Our Dreams’.
America’s War with Itself
Bush’s attempt to wreck the climate talks follows an established pattern of self-destruction Read more – ‘America’s War with Itself’.
Feeding Cars, Not People
The adoption of biofuels would be a humanitarian and environmental disaster Read more – ‘Feeding Cars, Not People’.
Correspondence with David Bellamy
Letters following the publication of the article Goodbye, Kind World (filed under Climate Change) Read more – ‘Correspondence with David Bellamy’.
Goodbye, Kind World
We’ve never had it so good, and we never will again. Read more – ‘Goodbye, Kind World’.
War x 4
Any government concerned about global security and climate change should be banning 4x4s Read more – ‘War x 4’.
Costing the Earth
Costing the Earth Read more – ‘Costing the Earth’.
Born Yesterday
Review of The Day After Tomorrow Read more – ‘Born Yesterday’.
The Fossil Fools
The dismissal of climate change by journalistic nincompoops is a danger to us all Read more – ‘The Fossil Fools’.
Sleepwalking to Extinction
Something about the human mind appears to prevent us from grasping the reality of climate change Read more – ‘Sleepwalking to Extinction’.
Shadow of extinction
Only six degrees separate our world from the cataclysmic end of an ancient era Read more – ‘Shadow of extinction’.
Privatising the Weather
The rich nations are carving up the atmosphere and selling it off Read more – ‘Privatising the Weather’.
Ban Fossil Fuels
It’s the simple solution to climate change – and quite a lot else besides Read more – ‘Ban Fossil Fuels’.
Reality Re-Asserts Itself
The floods are a reminder of our inability to conquer Nature Read more – ‘Reality Re-Asserts Itself’.
Mortal Injustice
The countries least responsible for global warming will be hit hardest Read more – ‘Mortal Injustice’.
Lost in Space
Space tourism will kill our own planet Read more – ‘Lost in Space’.
The Corporations’ Sod-You Culture
Big business tries to stop energy taxes Read more – ‘The Corporations’ Sod-You Culture’.
Meltdown
Global warming means that flying across the Atlantic is now as unacceptable as child abuse Read more – ‘Meltdown’.
Loving the World to Death
Global warming – caused partly by flights to coral islands – is killing the world’s reefs Read more – ‘Loving the World to Death’.
No Free Lunch
Duty Free is a subsidy for global warming. It must be stopped. Read more – ‘No Free Lunch’.
Embodied Energy
Why can’t the ecological impact of every new construction be considered as carefully as that of Oxford’s Abraham Building? Read more – ‘Embodied Energy’.
It’s Happening
Just as we tried to ignore Germany’s preparations for war, now we refuse to acknowledge the impending global catastrophe Read more – ‘It’s Happening’.