Novels that take a skeptical view of climate alarm have become an endangered species since Michael Crichton’s “State of Fear” was published 20 years ago. Most fiction that touches on the topic reinforce the misguided notion that the world is on the precipice of an apocalypse.
That’s why it’s fun and refreshing to read Jon Pepper’s latest novel, “Hostile Climate,” the fifth book in his entertaining and insightful “Fossil Feuds” series. Pepper takes aim at the topic with a piercing eye and finds plenty of room to ridicule the dominant doomsday narrative that plays out in the media, government, and popular culture.
Pepper’s story revolves around Lindsey Harper Crowe, chair of a global energy company, who becomes the target of an ambitious politician’s campaign to run for higher office. Like many large energy companies, Lindsey’s Crowe Power Company is blamed for climate change. The brutal lawfare waged against her finds enthusiastic support in New York City, where residents have no idea where heat and electricity come from.
Lindsey is put on trial, much to the delight of the activists who gather each day outside the courthouse to demonstrate their superior moral virtue. But as the story unfolds, it appears the activists’ fondest wish could become the city’s biggest nightmare—especially if Lindsey’s company assets are seized and operated by the state.
The book is topical and relevant, with an intriguing mix of humor and drama. Astute readers will notice the story is inspired by real events, presenting a chilling prospect of what can happen when climate change ideology clashes with the reality of providing essential services like heat, light, and power during extreme winter weather.
“Hostile Climate” has been enthusiastically endorsed by noted climate realists such as Judith Curry, who calls it
“clever and wickedly entertaining… a well-informed and insightful message about how the rush to shut off the use of fossil fuels without adequate replacements is the real climate crisis.”
Despite the complex issues explored in “Hostile Climate,” Pepper has created an easy-to-read page-turner that’s a welcome break from the usual dour tomes on the topic. Given the unmistakable message in “Hostile Climate,” it’s also an essential book for these times.
The book is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, through major booksellers in the U.K., Canada, Australia and around the world, and through independent bookstores in the U.S. For more information on the book and the author, go to www.jonpepperbooks.com
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