This essay does not deny the 0.6-0.8°C increase in global temperature that took place during the 20th century. It tries to understand how and why this simple fact has been transformed into a militant social movement. A clue is found in Hanna Arendt analyses of ideologies (based on the nazi and soviet totalitarianisms). All the key features of an ideology are present in “warmism”: a monocausal explanation of everything and anything; a reference/reverence to “science”; a massive intervention of the State; a total war on a terrible evil, CO2, designated as enemy n°1 (although terrorism is now becoming a serious competitor), and on all lukewarmers; and finally, a popular success. The book argues that the equation IPCC = Science is highly questionable, and that the consequences drawn and the projections/predictions made (for year 2,100) are even more fragile. It shows that the dominant warmist catechism recited by politicians and media goes much beyond this questionable scientific basis. The medicines proposed and imposed under the pretext of “saving the planet” are discussed, and shown to be generally unrealistic and regressive. In particular, contrary to what is claimed by our modern prophets, they would prevent countries of Africa and South-East Asia, which are, at last, beginning to get themselves out of misery, to stop doing so. In short, warmism is the ideology of the day, and it is dangerous like all ideologies.

Secular Religions: The Key Concepts provides a concise guide to those ideologies, worldviews, and social, political, economic, and cultural phenomena that are most often described as the modern counterparts of traditional religions. Although there are many other terms in use (quasi, pseudo, ersatz, political, civil, etc.), it is “secular religion” that best expresses the problematic nature of all such descriptions, which maintain that modern belief systems and practices are secular on the one hand and religious on the other. Today, the topic is as popular as ever, and secular religions are discovered far and wide. Hence, a critical summary is urgently necessary. The juxtaposed title is itself an expression of ironic distance. The book emphasizes inherent tensions of relevant literature in a critical and informative fashion. The author provides over 100 entries, from abortion to wokeness, as well as a detailed introduction, which gives an overview of the different definitions of “religion” and “secular religion” as well as the history of secular-religious comparisons. The main text reconstructs the argument of several key works on each given topic, while lists of sources for further reading are provided at the end of each entry. This book provides a clear introduction to “secular religions” and will appeal to researchers and students of religious studies, political philosophy, political theology, the history of ideologies, and cultural studies.

« This is a most timely book. There are more and more reasons to question the conventional wisdom of what has become almost a religion. Christian Gerondeau, a distinguished French engineer, explains clearly why the conventional approach is so deeply flawed, and what needs to be put in its place. He is neither overcome by the cultural pessimism of the Western political classes nor seduced by their grandiose oratory. He keeps his feet on the ground and is concerned with what works. Thus we should focus less on the uncertain science of global warming and on highly speculative horror stories about its possible impact, and more on the practical way forward. While the technologically inept and economically ruinous decarbonisation route, even if it could be globally agreed (which it cannot), would intensify the problem of world poverty, the way ahead which Christian Gerondeau charts would alleviate it. As Gerondeau observes, future generations will find it hard to believe the story he accurately recounts in this book. It is a book that deserves to be widely read. » Nigel Lawson Former UK Secretary of State for Energy Former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer

The U.S. scientific community has long led the world in research on such areas as public health, environmental science, and issues affecting quality of life. These scientists have produced landmark studies on the dangers of DDT, tobacco smoke, acid rain, and global warming. But at the same time, a small yet potent subset of this community leads the world in vehement denial of these dangers. Merchants of Doubt tells the story of how a loose-knit group of high-level scientists and scientific advisers, with deep connections in politics and industry, ran effective campaigns to mislead the public and deny well-established scientific knowledge over four decades. Remarkably, the same individuals surface repeatedly-some of the same figures who have claimed that the science of global warming is "not settled" denied the truth of studies linking smoking to lung cancer, coal smoke to acid rain, and CFCs to the ozone hole. "Doubt is our product," wrote one tobacco executive. These "experts" supplied it. Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway, historians of science, roll back the rug on this dark corner of the American scientific community, showing how ideology and corporate interests, aided by a too-compliant media, have skewed public understanding of some of the most pressing issues of our era.

Inhofer presents his perspectives and opinions on the proposed "carbon tax" and energy regulations currently part of the global warming debate among members of the Congress and the U.S. government.

"Is mankind destroying earth's climate? Learn the real story about climate change"--Back jacket.

In Feeling the Heat, journalist Jo Chandler sets out on a quest that takes her across the Antarctic ice, under the seas and through the tropical rainforests of far north Queensland. Her mission is to explore one of the defining mysteries of our age-climate change. The story Chandler tells is an epic adventure complete with heroes and villains. It's a love story for those with an affection for nature. A reality show like no other. It's also a story of science in its most glorious, pure form. Chandler takes us into wild landscapes in the company of scientists trying to decode climate information that will be critical to the decisions we make for the future of the planet. Written in the vein of Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief, and by turn lyrical, funny, and achingly sad, Feeling the Heat reveals startling truths about that delicate, confounding organism we call Earth. Winner: 2012 Bragg UNSW Press Prize for Science Writing Shortlisted: 2011 Queensland Premier's Literary Awards Science Writer Award Longlisted: 2012 John Button Prize