marklynas.orgSix Degrees wins prestigious Royal Society prize 18 June 08
Much to the surprise of its author, Six Degrees has scooped the prestigious Royal Society Science Books Prize, triumphing over such strong contenders as Steve Jones's 'Coral: A pessimist in paradise', and J. Craig Venter's 'A Life Decoded'.
The Royal Society’s official press release is here, but for the record, here’s my reaction on the night: “I am delighted to be receiving a science writing prize from one of the most pre-eminent scientific institutions in the world. With climate change such a politicised issue, recognition from the Royal Society is hugely welcome and a tremendous honour for me.”
Winning the prize was a particular suprise for me because Six Degrees was judged least likely to win by the bookmakers William Hill, at 6 to 1.
I’m thrilled to receive this award, and now it’s had a little time to sink in, I’d also like to dedicate it in particular to the hundreds of scientists around the world working on various aspects of climate change, on whose shoulders Six Degrees entirely stands. This is their award as much as mine, and I also hope that it reinforces the public message that this is an increasingly critical problem which we must do more to address.
Some media coverage of the award: Guardian, BBC News, The Times. There is a more detailed summary of all the books on the short list here, courtesy of the Independent.
Comments
Andy Parsons
June 22nd, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Richly deserved. I hope the publicity surrounding the prize encourages thousands (millions!) more to read it. I thought you were far too modest to say that the book hasn’t been peer-reviewed when it got such a good write-up on Real Climate – not a place where weak science is treated lightly! Keep on keeping on.
Douglas Coker
June 22nd, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Well done Mark!
Following my chat with you at the Haringey Council conference I was very interested to hear you at the CACC event in Camden explaining your shift from optimism to pessimism.
Now, I don’t want to be pessimistic but reality keeps getting in the way.
But … hey … keep up the humour. The paddles quip made me chuckle!
Cheers
Douglas Coker Enfield Green Party
Fransje de Waard
July 1st, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Hallo Mark, congratulations! That is just great news. I am the translator of your book into Dutch – nearly done – so I can say I’m close-reading it, and it’s powerful and should be read by, well, everyone. I’d hope we can get it out there in the Netherlands big time. This prize would certainly help.
I hope it gets way more attention around the world.
Best. Fransje
Jeremy Doyle
July 5th, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Well done Mark. I am just half way through it and I like your style. It is amazing to see the competition you beat.
meleze
July 22nd, 2008 at 01:41 PM
You should make a comment of that and tell us in which of your third scenario is music playing part . “The greening of live musical events represents an opportunity to lower the carbon footprint of not only the entertainment industry, but those of millions, if not hundreds of millions, of people worldwide,” Achim Steiner. Is Achim Steiner efficient?
Sue Jones
July 26th, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Congratulations. I have just finished reading your book and I am stunned by it. I live in Catalonia in Spain and I am interested to know if there is a Catalan or Spanish translation.
Shirley Elwell
July 29th, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Dear Mark – your book should carry a health warning – how can anyone with half a brain sleep peacefully after receiving such information. So, now the G8 summit has shown no urgency to reduce CO2 levels to anywhere near those targeted as crucial in your book, what’s to be done? For those who send presents at Christmas, perhaps a copy of ‘Six Degrees’ to all may be a starting point If we are going down, let’s go fighting all the way.