Rarely has there been a time when the fate of every one of theearth’s inhabitants has been in peril. Such is our present age.

This generation of decision makers and consumers will, one wayor another, decide the future of the planet. What you see around you—and whatyou are living in—is a world that is being rapidly and irrevocably degraded byan invisible, odourless gas. It accumulates every time you drive your car, cooka meal or turn on a light. These are seemingly benign acts, but multiply thosemundane daily actions six billionfold and the accumulation of injury toour environment becomes frighteningly clear.

In this groundbreaking new book, already met with internationalacclaim, scientist Tim Flannery argues passionately for the need to address—now—theimplications of a global change that is damaging all life on earth andthreatening our very survival. This book is unimpeachable in its authority,deftly and accessibly written, and penetrating in its vision of what each of uscan do to avoid catastrophe. It is a global call to arms, laying out plainly what we know and what we can do to make a difference before it’s too late.