I have lived a life that has taken me all over the world, including thousands of sea miles in large and small vessels. I became a business specialist in energy efficiency, witnessing man’s ability to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions while witnessing man’s reluctance to do so. I have witnessed the increasing polluting of our oceans, the decline and loss of species. I have witnessed the triumphs of mankind to save species, reverse diseases or tame the natural environment. 

Charles Dickens said it better than me 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.”

I find myself in the world of Dickens when I consider Climate Change, which is why I wrote Volcanic Winter, a political thriller themed on combatting Climate Change.

I decided to write a story that is an allegory of our times: one that exploits so called evidence that global warming can be reversed. All that is needed 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.

To learn more, you will have to read Volcanic Winter.

I so enjoyed the process of crafting a novel I decided to write something totally different, to include my love of Australia, the ocean, sailing, and history. It was hard - history and fiction I found sometimes pull in opposite directions. But it is done!

Unentitled is ready for publishing.

Mark Rutherford

Sydney, Australia