Mike Berners-Lee

Mike Berners-Lee consults, thinks, writes and researches on sustainability and responses to 21st-century challenges. A Climate of Truth is his fourth book.

Mike is the founder of Small World Consulting, an associate company of Lancaster University, which works with organisations from tech giants to food producers to understand the issues, measure their impact and take action. Small World is a leader in the fields of carbon management and business responses to the climate emergency.

He is a professor at Lancaster University’s Environment Centre, where his research includes sustainable food systems and carbon metrics. He coordinates the Global Futures event series, which is freely open to all and explores big global challenges in multidisciplinary ways.

In 2025 Mike was awarded the Planet Earth Award by the Alliance of World Scientists.

Mike frequently gives talks about his books, his work with business, latest analysis and the implications for organisations, institutions and individuals. For inquiries about speaking engagements, please contact Chartwell Speakers.

About his first book, How Bad Are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint Of Everything, Bill Bryson wrote “I can’t think of the last time I read a book that was more fascinating, and useful and enjoyable all at the same time”.

His second book, The Burning Question, co-written with Duncan Clark, explores the big picture on climate change and the underlying global dynamics, asking what mix of politics, economics, psychology and technology are really required to deal with the problem. Al Gore described it as “Fascinating, important and highly recommended” and was among MPs’ top ten summer reads.

His third book, There is No Planet B, sees climate breakdown as a symptom of an even bigger phenomenon; humankind’s arrival in the Anthropocene era and the multi-dimensional challenge arising from our inability so far to adapt to this new context. It outlines technical solutions to that challenge but goes further, exploring the underlying changes that are required for humans to thrive in a low-carbon and sustainable future.