Stuck Monkey

James Hamilton-Paterson investigates the 'innocent' habits of consumers and how they contribute vastly to climate change.

James Hamilton-Paterson investigates the 'innocent' habits of consumers and how they contribute vastly to climate change.

A ferociously intelligent, funny, misanthropic book about the 'innocent' habits of consumers and how they contribute vastly to climate change.

People hunting monkeys in the jungle once devised a simple trap that proved remarkably effective. It was nothing more than a stout glass jar with a comparatively narrow neck, into which they put a large juicy banana. Plunging its paw into the jar to grab the banana, the creature found its fist was now too bulky to fit through the jar's neck; unless it let go of the banana, it was stuck. The Monkey is of course us, and the way we are paralysed by our inability to relinquish or even change our modern way of life and its consumer goodies, despite the undeniable damage to the environment.

In Stuck Monkey, James Hamilton-Paterson uncovers the truth about our everyday habits and their contribution to climate change. The subjects treated to his acerbic analysis include gardening, sports, the growth of eco-tourism, the wellness industry, our obsession with online shopping, mobile phones, military carbon, biofuels and electric vehicles, as well as our pets and their hidden carbon pawprints. This is a powerful, accessible book about how extremely difficult it will be to change the way we live if we are to prevent environmental and human catastrophe.

PRAISE FOR JAMES HAMILTON-PATERSON: 'A superb book, not only meticulously researched but also supremely readable' - Daily Mail 'A terrific story, told with tremendous relish, elegance and attention to detail'

Vorwort
James Hamilton-Paterson investigates the 'innocent' habits of consumers and how they contribute vastly to climate change.

Autorentext
James Hamilton-Paterson is a novelist and non-fiction writer whose books defy easy categorisation. Gerontius won the Whitbread Prize; Cooking with Fernet Branca was longlisted for the Booker Prize. His acclaimed books on the oceans, including Seven-Tenths, have been widely translated, and his books about aviation have set new standards for writing about aircraft. Born and educated in England, Hamilton-Paterson has lived in the Philippines and Italy and now makes his home in Austria.

Klappentext

People hunting monkeys in the jungle once devised a simple yet effective trap: When the creature found a banana in a large jar with a narrow neck, it would plunge its paw in to retrieve it. But it couldn't let go. And unless the monkey released the banana, it was stuck. We are, of course, the stuck monkey, paralysed by our modern lifestyles and consumer habits: our constant stream of online shopping deliveries, our compulsive dependence on digital devices, our obsession with our pets. These addictions, as small and harmless as they may seem, are quietly destroying the planet. And the eco-friendly alternatives that alleviate our guilt are often not much better. In Stuck Monkey, James Hamilton-Paterson uncovers the truth behind the everyday habits fuelling the climate crisis. Drawing on eye-opening research and shocking statistics, he mercilessly dissects a wide spectrum of modern life: pets, gardening, sports, vehicles, fashion, wellness, holidays, and more. Ferociously unflinching and intelligent, this book will make you think twice about the 'innocent' habits we often take for granted.

Zusammenfassung
A ferociously intelligent, funny, misanthropic book about the 'innocent' habits of consumers and how they contribute vastly to climate change. People hunting monkeys in the jungle once devised a simple trap that proved remarkably effective. It was nothing more than a stout glass jar with a comparatively narrow neck, into which they put a large juicy banana. Plunging its paw into the jar to grab the banana, the creature found its fist was now too bulky to fit through the jar's neck; unless it let go of the banana, it was stuck. The Monkey is of course us, and the way we are paralysed by our inability to relinquish or even change our modern way of life and its consumer goodies, despite the undeniable damage to the environment. In Stuck Monkey, James Hamilton-Paterson uncovers the truth about our everyday habits and their contribution to climate change. The subjects treated to his acerbic analysis include gardening, sports, the growth of eco-tourism, the wellness industry, our obsession with online shopping, mobile phones, military carbon, biofuels and electric vehicles, as well as our pets and their hidden carbon pawprints. This is a powerful, accessible book about how extremely difficult it will be to change the way we live if we are to prevent environmental and human catastrophe.