Climate change book wins prestigious science writing prize
by Rich Bowden - Jun 17 2008, 01:18
A book on climate change has won the prestigious Royal Society prize for science writing. Image: The premises of The Royal Society, London. Credit: Kaihsu Tai
A book detailing the damage global warming could do to our environment has won the prestigious Royal Society science writing prize.
Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet by Mark Lynas uses interviews with climate experts and scientific data to examine what effect each degree of warming will have on the planet including extended droughts and mass extinctions.
The book has already been turned into a television programme by National Geographic and the prize is expected to boost sales reports the BBC.
Chair of the judging panel, Professor Jonathan Ashmore, described the book as "compelling and gripping" saying, "It presents a series of scientifically plausible, worst-case scenarios without tipping into hysteria."
"Six Degrees is not just a great read, written in an original way, but also provides a good overview of the latest science on this highly topical issue."This is a book that will stimulate debate and that will, Lynas hopes, move us to action in the hope that this is a disaster movie that never happens. Everyone should read this book," he said.
The author received the first prize of £10,000 ($19,655 dollars) at a ceremony hosted by the UK academy of science.
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