Mark Rutherford

Mark has lived a life that has taken him all over the world, including thousands of sea miles in large and small vessels. He became a specialist in energy efficiency, witnessing man’s ability to cut greenhouse gas emissions while witnessing man’s reluctance to do so. He has witnessed the polluting of our oceans, the decline and loss of species.

He has witnessed the triumphs of mankind to save species, reverse diseases or tame the natural environment. Charles Dickens said 160 years ago: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

He decided to write a story that is an allegory of our times. It exploits so-called evidence that global warming can be reversed. All it needs are numerous volcanic eruptions to cloak the world with ash and aerosols, producing global cooling. Problem solved. Foolish? Incredulous? A Season of Darkness? A Winter of Despair? Yes, all those things.