Monbiot and biochar
Yesterday, I had the privilege of hearing George Monbiot speak live for the second time in my life. It is a very rare privilege because two years ago, shortly after the last time I saw him, when he was on a tour promoting his then newly-published book Heat: How to Stop the Planet Burning, he promised himself never to fly again.
He joked that he broke his promise for this trip because it was easier than putting off the pestering Canadians any longer. But he was also clearly here because he was concerned about Canada’s position on climate change and the direction our government was taking both the country and the world.
I was very glad I went. First of all, I was glad simply because it’s inspiring to listen to someone who is so informed, so eloquent and so principled and inspiring. But I was also glad because there’s just so much more that can be said in person than could ever fit into a printed article. It’s relatively easy to make guarded and thoughtful statements when you can erase what you don’t like. To my delight, Monbiot in person presents as even more compassionate and sensible than he does on paper.
To me the most interesting point of the event occurred during the questions that followed, when one person asked about Mr. Monbiot’s opposition to biochar. Read more »