Critical Mass

In an era where climate change dominates global discourse, Felix Leach and Nick Molden dive deep into the complexity of vehicle emissions in their groundbreaking new book. Building on the insights from Felix’s previous work, Racing Toward Zero, this new release confronts the bewildering landscape of automotive pollution with a clear, rigorous approach: what one piece of information can best describe the environmental impact of cars? Our digital age bombards us with information, yet meaningful understanding often eludes us, particularly when it comes to climate issues like road vehicle emissions. As simple solutions to such a complex problem remain elusive, Leach and Molden advocate for a sophisticated, yet accessible perspective. They propose a radical simplification of how we consider the environmental impact of cars and explore the multifaceted impacts of various vehicle powertrains, pushing beyond CO2 emissions to address broader environmental and societal concerns. The authors introduce the Molden-Leach Conjecture, a bold, universal solution that evaluates vehicles through a holistic lens. This conjecture offers a comprehensive framework to assess and regulate environmental impact, aiming to simplify complex choices for consumers and policymakers alike. They propose a new paradigm for taxing vehicles as we move away from fossil gasoline and diesel, enabling policymakers to address pollution and underpin tax revenues simultaneously. In a world where climate action is critical yet convoluted, Leach and Molden’s book promises clarity and actionable insight. It’s not just about finding answers—it’s about finding the right ones. Join the journey to demystify automotive emissions and drive meaningful change. “As a former Secretary of State for the Environment and, later, Industry I welcome this contribution to the most important challenge of our time.” Michael Hesletine, former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (ISBN 9781468608212, ISBN 9781468608229, ISBN 9781468608236, https://doi.org/10.4271/9781468608229)