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The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook: 77 Essential Skills To Stop Climate Change
The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook is the official companion volume to Live Earth concerts, 24 hours of nonstop concerts broadcast from around the world on July 7, 2007. The book presents 77 essential skills for stopping climate change—and for living through it. It is a fun, compelling, and sly deconstruction of a survival guide, think Boy Scout Handbook crossed with WorldChanging atop the Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook , that offers equal parts tongue-in-cheek suggestions, practical advice, factual information, and bluesky dreaming of ways to save the world.Each skill is presented on a spread featuring a bright, full-color instructional illustration, a brief introduction to the skill and its core ideas, a set of instructions, spin-off ideas, and scientific and environmental facts. The book also includes a resource guide that provides useful resources for the ecoconscious reader.
160 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2007
9 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
David de Rothschild
11 books6 followersDavid Mayer de Rothschild (born 1978) is a British adventurer and environmentalist and head of Adventure Ecology, an expedition group raising awareness about climate change. He is a member of the Rothschild family, the youngest of three children of Victoria Schott (born 1949) and Sir Evelyn de Rothschild (b. 1931) of the Rothschild banking family of England.[1] His middle name "Mayer" is taken from the name of the founder of the Rothschild family banking empire, Mayer Amschel Rothschild.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ma...
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ma...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 5, 2011
Funny and informative. I found this book at a Dollar Tree store, and after reading it I felt like I ripped somebody off. This is one of the best books that both gives advice and pokes fun at the paranoia over global warming, while still acknowledging that the environment is in trouble and something needs to be done. My favorite section is the final one, the "In Case of Emergency" section. Whether you are an environmentalist of just want to get a good laugh while doing your part to help make the world a better place, pick this book up and read it.
October 8, 2018
I've been pretty passionate about climate change for several years, so I don't think I was the target audience for this one. The book seems to be written more for skeptics or folks who haven't really cared and thought about climate change very much. At the risk of sounding like an "eco-snob", the tips and information presented here is a bit pedestrian.
I'm glad this book exists and I hope lots of people have read it and learned something, but for me, it was a silly echo chamber. I dug the punk rock band logos on the shirts in some of the illustrations, though!
I'm glad this book exists and I hope lots of people have read it and learned something, but for me, it was a silly echo chamber. I dug the punk rock band logos on the shirts in some of the illustrations, though!
October 15, 2009
Either I am a terribly good earth citizen who has reached zero impact or this book just didn't give me the depth that I was looking for. I think it was the later. I felt like many of the suggestions recommended in this book were along the lines of Al Gore solving climate change with the suggestion that the public install compact fluorescents. I wanted more.
April 19, 2020
In desperate need of an update. Wonder if there is a recycling program for old copies of this book?
November 13, 2022
*2.5 stars rated down
I love learning about ways I can better help the Earth. This book didn't teach me much unfortunately. Having been published over a decade ago, it is quite outdated. I can't fault it for that, but I would love to see an updated version. It was also interesting to see the things that affected us in 2007 that really don't anymore. My biggest problem with this read is that it seems to be tips for the privileged. A lot of the tips are very expensive or out of reach for people below the middle class and people in rural environments. It suggests a lot of ways to build or remodel houses that is wholly inaccessible for people renting. The humor just also wasn't for me. My biggest disappointment is that it mentions how we could lower carbon emissions if everyone in the world lost one pound. That's a horrible, privileged, and fatphobic tip that made me hesitant to finish the rest of the book. I really wanted to get to the emergency tips in case of a full global meltdown, so I persisted. Even those tips were meh and they seemed to all be jokes.
I overall can't recommend this book for anyone looking to learn about the environment or how to help it.
I love learning about ways I can better help the Earth. This book didn't teach me much unfortunately. Having been published over a decade ago, it is quite outdated. I can't fault it for that, but I would love to see an updated version. It was also interesting to see the things that affected us in 2007 that really don't anymore. My biggest problem with this read is that it seems to be tips for the privileged. A lot of the tips are very expensive or out of reach for people below the middle class and people in rural environments. It suggests a lot of ways to build or remodel houses that is wholly inaccessible for people renting. The humor just also wasn't for me. My biggest disappointment is that it mentions how we could lower carbon emissions if everyone in the world lost one pound. That's a horrible, privileged, and fatphobic tip that made me hesitant to finish the rest of the book. I really wanted to get to the emergency tips in case of a full global meltdown, so I persisted. Even those tips were meh and they seemed to all be jokes.
I overall can't recommend this book for anyone looking to learn about the environment or how to help it.
April 23, 2019
Despite the severity of the topic, the presentation of this book was pretty lighthearted. While none of this is vey earth shattering some of the quips/asides are pretty dated to the point where you double take and look at the publication date. Some of the thinking is very optimistic for the future and being more than 10 years on and not hitting the mark things can turn maudlin and depressing. The font was pretty small. The wide variety in both age, race, and gender of the infographic characters was a welcome surprise.
September 26, 2021
Very funny and great tips on how to reduce your personal environmental impact. Unfortunately, it is written in 2007 and by 2021 these facts are somewhat outdated but the principles have of course remained the same. Rather for an entertainment and an easier read. Nice illustrations. Once again sad to see that even after 14 years we still don't do enough to tackle climate change. "We should not aim to be perfect, but to make continual progress."
September 30, 2019
As dire the state of our world is, this book navigated a clever space between serious statistics with creative sarcasm, and Gen-X references that caused me to weep with gothic tears falling in oil-like pools on my pillow.
May 24, 2008
Here's a grand plan: if you can't turn around this whole global warming trend (or should i make that if we can't turn it around~and can it really be called a trend at this point? Well, maybe by some people, that is, if they acknowledge it at all...) just grab this handy dandy little guide; The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook: 77 Essential Skills to Stop Climate Change--or Live Through it by David de Rothschild. Skills 1-67 are the ones for preventing/slowing down global warming and they are helpful suggestions though there doesn't seem to be any new information offered there; and from 68 on it's "If all else fails" (edged in red). The book itself smacks a little of the Worst Case Scenario handbooks, which i don't think is intentional, and is at least a little off-putting to me. It seems to be aimed at the MTV generation (or rather the generation after it~shall we call them MTV 2.0 generation?) And i don't necessarily mean that as a dig as i am a part of the MTV generation (and that it would be aimed at that sort of visually/music-based attention span seems only appropriate as it is an official companion to the Live Earth Concert Series (and maybe i'm just bitter because i didn't get to go...). Anyway, i found it a little trite (though the humour was well aimed. If you are young, hip, and a beginner to the whole environmental scene this might be a good choice (just call me old and unhip)
I think, however, if you are looking for some solid information, which is not all doom and gloom with a light touch, somehow The Green Book: the everyday guide to saving the planet one step at a time by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen just feels a little better. At least to me (and my opinion is the only one that counts, right?)
I think, however, if you are looking for some solid information, which is not all doom and gloom with a light touch, somehow The Green Book: the everyday guide to saving the planet one step at a time by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen just feels a little better. At least to me (and my opinion is the only one that counts, right?)
July 28, 2015
You can't really say all the skills listed are essential but combined with the frightening numbers and a good dose of sarcasm, this book does make you think for a moment.
And the best thing is, it's oriented towards readers from all over the world.
There is always something you can do to help.
I don't really think about daily stuff like riding in a car or choosing to walk somewhere instead of taking the bus, so when it is pointed out, you can either congratulate yourself on the small difference you're making or try to think of an anternative.
From living in the UK for over a year, the one thing that stands out about my city, is traffic.
Terrible, nerve-wrecking, polluting traffic. But there's also good, environmentaly friendly initiatives and things that people do out of habit. Like recycling. Everybody's doing it.
Back in Bulgaria, when they put the special glass, paper and plastic bins in my neighborhood, nobody paid attention and me, dragging a full bag of recyclables was seen as something alien and unexplainable.Seriosly.
Hence why it's so important to educate people, to talk about global warming, cause and effect and anything you could do to stop it. It shouldn't be laughable to see a person recycling, it's should be frowned upon seeing a person mindlessly dumping their trash (especially in the street!).
We live in the 21st century after all, and if you want a better future, you have to do something about it. And there is so much to be done.
Be observant, be alert and think about your actions.
And the best thing is, it's oriented towards readers from all over the world.
There is always something you can do to help.
I don't really think about daily stuff like riding in a car or choosing to walk somewhere instead of taking the bus, so when it is pointed out, you can either congratulate yourself on the small difference you're making or try to think of an anternative.
From living in the UK for over a year, the one thing that stands out about my city, is traffic.
Terrible, nerve-wrecking, polluting traffic. But there's also good, environmentaly friendly initiatives and things that people do out of habit. Like recycling. Everybody's doing it.
Back in Bulgaria, when they put the special glass, paper and plastic bins in my neighborhood, nobody paid attention and me, dragging a full bag of recyclables was seen as something alien and unexplainable.Seriosly.
Hence why it's so important to educate people, to talk about global warming, cause and effect and anything you could do to stop it. It shouldn't be laughable to see a person recycling, it's should be frowned upon seeing a person mindlessly dumping their trash (especially in the street!).
We live in the 21st century after all, and if you want a better future, you have to do something about it. And there is so much to be done.
Be observant, be alert and think about your actions.
February 20, 2012
okay the low rating was my mistake not the books. I looked at this and went, oh like the zombie apocalypse... no not like the zombie apocalypse, way way more serious and way less funny.
Okay on other news, I'm moving soon so i'm actually for the first time in a long time recycling books. I'm leaving them in my building and other people take them, it's a good system, mostly because I only have to carry them down the stairs. I'm ditching a few types of books. Books I've read (which are the hardest I can't help but wonder if I might want to read them again, but I let that go knowing I won't get back to 99% of them and the 1% I get back to I can find online/library/used), books I bought but don't want anymore (textbooks, gre books, vocab books, some of my bibles, dictionaries), books that were bought for me that I never would even look at in a store (I know I know but my dad can't seem to figure out that I don't like current affairs or postmodern poetry). So now I'm pack/getting rid and I'm getting closer to Eco's vision of the library of only books you haven't read and want to read, and the closer I get honestly... the more excited.
so the next week or so I'll being reading all the stupid little short books that I'd rather finish then not move, and I'm hoping that all comes out well in the end. cheers all.
Okay on other news, I'm moving soon so i'm actually for the first time in a long time recycling books. I'm leaving them in my building and other people take them, it's a good system, mostly because I only have to carry them down the stairs. I'm ditching a few types of books. Books I've read (which are the hardest I can't help but wonder if I might want to read them again, but I let that go knowing I won't get back to 99% of them and the 1% I get back to I can find online/library/used), books I bought but don't want anymore (textbooks, gre books, vocab books, some of my bibles, dictionaries), books that were bought for me that I never would even look at in a store (I know I know but my dad can't seem to figure out that I don't like current affairs or postmodern poetry). So now I'm pack/getting rid and I'm getting closer to Eco's vision of the library of only books you haven't read and want to read, and the closer I get honestly... the more excited.
so the next week or so I'll being reading all the stupid little short books that I'd rather finish then not move, and I'm hoping that all comes out well in the end. cheers all.
December 13, 2007
Well, dears. It's a handbook, not a book. Helpful when mostly what you are reading is Student Writing. But it's rather cheery, considering its content, and the general doom which lead me to pick it up. Assuming we are free, not fated, assuming the oceans can quiet and cool, here are some very easy things to do, you already know them, but it heartens me to repeat:
-unplug things when you aren't using them
-use natural light and candle light and also your inner glow
-live in small spaces
-take baths together!
-after taking baths together put on many layers so you can keep the thermostat on the d.l.
-collect rainwater
-reuse bags for shopping
-don't eat much or any meat
-read other people's copies of the newspaper
-pay bills online
-repair things
-buy used
-bike
-take the train, not the plane
-own a camel (that's in the apocalyptic section, in the event of...)
-burrow (also)
-barter (see above)
-move to the moon (above and no thank you)
-let your un potty trained babies run naked and free
-move to stockholm
-marry someone who doesn't emit carbon, etc., etc.
-unplug things when you aren't using them
-use natural light and candle light and also your inner glow
-live in small spaces
-take baths together!
-after taking baths together put on many layers so you can keep the thermostat on the d.l.
-collect rainwater
-reuse bags for shopping
-don't eat much or any meat
-read other people's copies of the newspaper
-pay bills online
-repair things
-buy used
-bike
-take the train, not the plane
-own a camel (that's in the apocalyptic section, in the event of...)
-burrow (also)
-barter (see above)
-move to the moon (above and no thank you)
-let your un potty trained babies run naked and free
-move to stockholm
-marry someone who doesn't emit carbon, etc., etc.
April 29, 2008
I like this book very much.
It's about how can we fight global warming. I like the way the author presents those 'skills'. the first 67 skills' have enriched my knowledge on things that can be done to fight global warming.
at the end, this book made me laugh by presenting other skills that... i don't really want to be good at :D *being a mutant? c'mon*
it is basically says that there are around 67 (reasonable, some a bit strange) skills that we can practice to tackle climate change. the other 10? well, if those 67 doesn't work, probably you'd try those 10 (which is for me myself, i don't want to do even one of those ten).
i like this book :)
a lot ;)
it's simple, readable (for someone who has limitation in understanding English) and... incredibly fun(ny) :))
It's about how can we fight global warming. I like the way the author presents those 'skills'. the first 67 skills' have enriched my knowledge on things that can be done to fight global warming.
at the end, this book made me laugh by presenting other skills that... i don't really want to be good at :D *being a mutant? c'mon*
it is basically says that there are around 67 (reasonable, some a bit strange) skills that we can practice to tackle climate change. the other 10? well, if those 67 doesn't work, probably you'd try those 10 (which is for me myself, i don't want to do even one of those ten).
i like this book :)
a lot ;)
it's simple, readable (for someone who has limitation in understanding English) and... incredibly fun(ny) :))
July 30, 2010
I believe in Global Warming. This is a list of tips to help everyday people make adjustments to their lives to minimize their environmental impact. Each of the 77 suggestions is categorized, scaled, and color coded according to cost, time, effort, impact, and other indicators. Each also has a window that says "if 1 million people would do this..." and then what effect that would have on the environment if a million people did that particular thing. My favorite section of the book is in the back, and is prefaced with a big, bright pink warning and skull and crossbones: the "IF ALL ELSE FAILS" section is only to be referred to in case of TOTAL CLIMATE MELTDOWN. Read it yourself and u'll know what I mean :D
February 20, 2012
buku yg keren banget.terpampang jelas tips tg diuraikan. tiap lembar full-colour (secara terbitan luar negeri). dan bukunya kecil, macam buku yg bisa dimasukin ke saku.
tips-tips survival mengurangi dampak global warming. ada yg bisa dilakukan individual, ada yg bwt komunitas, bahkan untuk memilih pemimpin-pilih yg mendukung pengurangan global warming. kerennya lg di setiap langkah ada perkiraan seberapa banyak jika tindakan tersebut dilakukan dapat mengurangi CO2 (dg asumsi dilakukan oleh satu komunitas masyarakat).
uniknya, di bab terakhir, diberi langkah survival jika bumi uda bener2 ga bisa ditinggali. walopun imaginer, tapi emang bener.
intinya, ni buku semakin menyadarkan pembacanya untuk kontribusi mengurani polusi.
tips-tips survival mengurangi dampak global warming. ada yg bisa dilakukan individual, ada yg bwt komunitas, bahkan untuk memilih pemimpin-pilih yg mendukung pengurangan global warming. kerennya lg di setiap langkah ada perkiraan seberapa banyak jika tindakan tersebut dilakukan dapat mengurangi CO2 (dg asumsi dilakukan oleh satu komunitas masyarakat).
uniknya, di bab terakhir, diberi langkah survival jika bumi uda bener2 ga bisa ditinggali. walopun imaginer, tapi emang bener.
intinya, ni buku semakin menyadarkan pembacanya untuk kontribusi mengurani polusi.
December 6, 2013
actually the 'firsthand' to take me into the world of conscious -environmentally-friendly-living was this book. the oldreads just caught my slight-sight, but this one caught my heart and put me on gear toward better life on earth ^_^ it gives colorful graphic instructions on becoming somewhat be a better inhabitant of motherearth, which suite me just great.... i even managed to influence some family members to be more conscious of what's going on and what we had done to the world with this book. hehe... some say its content's just too shallow, but i figured everyone should atleast start somewhere...
September 15, 2007
I appreciated this "green" guide because of it's sense of humor. There are some practical tips, but for the most part, it was more interesting for its humorous take on a very not-funny subject.
The end of the book gives tips about what to do when global warming makes our current lives no longer possible.
One tip involves buying a camel (because they live a long time, can survive long periods of time without food and water, can carry 600 lbs of cargo, can produce milk, and are "recyclable" because they can be eaten when they die.
The end of the book gives tips about what to do when global warming makes our current lives no longer possible.
One tip involves buying a camel (because they live a long time, can survive long periods of time without food and water, can carry 600 lbs of cargo, can produce milk, and are "recyclable" because they can be eaten when they die.
February 2, 2012
قرأت هذا الكتاب باللغة العبرية .. واعتقد انه إذا كان هناك ما يميز هكذا كتاب فهو كثرة الأرقام فيه وهي لغة العصر حيث ان معظم مقارناته بالأرقام .. ويتميز كذلك بشموليته حيث تناول اكثر من 77 فكرة للحفاظ على الارض شملت كل نواحي الحياة ، في السفر والسكن والملابس وكل شيء .. ولا بد من الإلتفات إلى بسطاته بحيث يمكن لكل قارئ ان يفهمه .. وبلا شك فإنه مدخلاً مبسطا ومميزا للدخول إلى العلوم البيئية بشكل عام وقضية الإحتباس الحراري وحلولها بشكل خاص
July 26, 2007
Five simple measures I gleaned from this book on how I can decrease my carbon footprint:
1. Use a cloth bag for groceries.
2. Take the train to work at least once a week.
3. Buy locally-produced food, e.g. farmer's market produce.
4. Bank online.
5. Reuse newspaper - for packages, keeping shoes in their right shape.
1. Use a cloth bag for groceries.
2. Take the train to work at least once a week.
3. Buy locally-produced food, e.g. farmer's market produce.
4. Bank online.
5. Reuse newspaper - for packages, keeping shoes in their right shape.
August 22, 2008
Laugh to keep from crying, that is David de Rothschild's approach to climate change. This book was entertaining and informative for a green newbie or someone who has been living under a rock for a few years. It offers some practical and some less conventional (and really amusing) skills for reducing global warming or for staying alive if when shit hits the fan and society melts.
July 31, 2011
An informative book which successfully manages to entertain as it educates.
The only complaint that I perhaps have of this book is that it is evidently written for an American and/or Western audience. It would have been better if it was more general in nature. I mean, climate change/global warming is not a phenomenon limited to only the US and other Western countries, is it?
The only complaint that I perhaps have of this book is that it is evidently written for an American and/or Western audience. It would have been better if it was more general in nature. I mean, climate change/global warming is not a phenomenon limited to only the US and other Western countries, is it?
September 5, 2007
For those who are already aware of the issues concerning global warming, much of this book will be a review of basic steps to counteract it. But its a great beginner's guide for one looking to make changes in their everyday life.
February 3, 2008
how can you not love a book that is illustrated, apparently, by the same people that brought you the airplane emergency landing instructions found in the seat back in front of you.
i am especially drawn to #20 on page 48. "Put on a Sweater" and the four steps to putting on a sweater.
i am especially drawn to #20 on page 48. "Put on a Sweater" and the four steps to putting on a sweater.
March 23, 2009
This book is full of fantastic ideas, and it's amazing how lots of people making small lifestyle changes can make such a big difference. For example, "If one million households changed 4 lightbulbs each, 900,000 tons of greenhouse gases would be eliminated" (Rothschild, p. 18).
May 12, 2008
A useful look at how to lower your carbon footprint, with a funny "survival" section at the end (what to do in case we really do experience a meltdown soon). And there are pictures. Always a plus. Warning, though: some of the info in here might seriously freak you out.
August 28, 2008
Info in blurbs for the adhd set. Cute, some tongue-in-cheek views, but the best thing about the book is that every entry has at least one relevant web-site for further information. Also, an excellent web resource appendix at the end.
December 6, 2008
Awesome illustrations and information design. A very handy global warming awareness and what to do to help book. Many humorous "how to" illustrations on daily tasks an individual can do to help the environment. A very serious topic well done with humor.
December 21, 2008
This pratical and handy book provides 77 skills that one individual may adopt contribute for the global warming prevention. The skills suggested in this book are easy steps to adopt in daily life. It may be considered as a source to advocate simple daily green life style.
August 29, 2011
I don't believe that Global Warming is a man-made issue, however I do think that we should all be more concerned with conserving the our resources and the earth. Lots of great ideas to get you started, along with tons of statistics to motivate you into action.
May 26, 2013
Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews